He, therefore, with great caution, accepted the proposal, and received a large sum as the first installment of the blackmail.
As to the doctor's real intentions, Nick was in some doubt. It seemed probable that he meant to sacrifice Cleary to secure his own safety in case it became necessary.
If Cleary ran away, it would be easy to divert suspicion to him.
The case against Dr. Jarvis looked very plain. Innocent men do not take such desperate measures. And yet Nick was far from reaching a definite opinion in the case.
He returned to Cleary's room; and it required a good deal of skill to keep the doctor out of it. If he had entered, and had seen two Cleary's, it is hard to say what desperation would have led him to do.
For an instant Nick had an idea of letting him do it, and then attempt to secure a true statement of the case with the aid of the shock which the doctor would have sustained on discovering how he had been duped.
But second thought showed him the necessity for a different procedure.
From Cleary's window he signaled for Chick, who was in waiting near the wall, and to him he delivered the unconscious form of the negro.
Then he returned to take his leave of the doctor—a difficult business, which he managed with great skill.
This done, he secretly left the hospital.