"Then you practically put him under arrest," said Deever, with evident satisfaction.
"Yes; but it will not be known except to us who are here. I expect your friends to be silent for the present."
"I'll answer for them," said Deever. "I know them all well, except that man—where is that man?"
He looked around for Chick, but that individual had disappeared. He had caught a glance from Nick when the latter had spoken of his assistant at the hospital, and had immediately slipped away under the shadow of the trees.
"That fellow will give it away," cried Deever. "That's what he sneaked for. He'll sell the news to the papers."
"If he does we can't help it," said Nick. "And as for you, I judge that you would not be sorry if he did."
"You are right," said Deever, looking grimly at Dr. Jarvis, "the sooner this murderer is held up before the public the better I'll be pleased."
"I shall be sorry," said Nick, "and yet perhaps it will not make much difference. In the meantime we will do what we can to keep the secret on our part."
Deever chuckled. It was evident that he regarded the secret as already out, and that he was entirely satisfied.
"Now come with me," said Nick to Jarvis, "and you others wait for me here."