There was a head of water in this pipe, and with the aid of its stream the fire was extinguished.
The detective did not assist. He turned his attention to discovering what had become of Colonel Richmond.
The colonel had disappeared. The carriage in which he had come was gone.
Doubtless the person who had driven him over had hustled him into the carriage at the earliest possible moment.
"A shrewd move," muttered Nick, "and a bad one for me. However, I've got this gang cornered, and if they've been doing the job at the colonel's house, their operations are over."
There was an excited group of people by the main door of the house. In the midst of them stood the medium, a fat and coarse woman, whom Nick had seen before in the same crooked business.
Those around her were the real believers in spiritualism, who had come to the show.
They had witnessed the exposure, and were ready to mob the medium.
Nick took his two prisoners to this group. He tied them securely, and then turned to one of the dupes:
"Why don't you have these people arrested?" he whispered. "Charge them with taking money under false pretenses."