What had been the true meaning of the night's events? It puzzled him to say.
Was the body on the slab that of Patrick Deever, or had the doctor gone through in his sleep the act which he intended to perform later with the real body?
Nick thought that the latter was more probable. He was inclined to believe that the body of Deever might be concealed about the building. If so, he would find it.
Reflecting thus, he passed outside the hospital walls.
Three men were approaching along St. Nicholas avenue. Two of these he quickly recognized as Chick and Lawrence Deever. The other was unknown to him.
Evidently Chick had sent Cleary away in a carriage which they had kept waiting near the hospital during the evening. How he had met Deever, Nick could not guess.
He went forward to meet the three men.
He had removed the disguise in which he had deceived the doctor, and was now as Deever had seen him before.
Deever recognized him at once, and started forward, saying:
"You ask for proof of my brother's death. I will give it to you. Here is a man who saw him buried."