Plainly the corpse, or what remained of it, must be recovered before the fire had completely made away with it.
Nick was about to leap forward, and interrupt the dreadful work which was in progress under his eyes, when suddenly a new inspiration came to him.
With a bound as noiseless as a tiger's, he was at the top of the stairs. In another instant he stood beside the sheeted form upon the slab.
He withdrew the cloth.
The body was Chick's.
CHAPTER VI.
THE LAST LINK IN THE CHAIN.
Nick's first glance at the body of Chick took a weight like a mountain of lead off his heart.
Chick was bound and gagged.