"I see that it is useless to try to conceal anything from you," said Prescott. "The man wore the peculiar cap and dressing-gown which everybody knows for the doctor's."
"There is no doubt about it," said Miss Allen. "It was Dr. Jarvis."
"I thank you very much for your evidence," said Nick.
"But why do you want it?" asked Prescott. "I have heard a rumor that Patrick Deever has disappeared. This is his brother's house. Is the doctor suspected of having murdered him?"
"He is," said Nick.
"Then I see the bearing of my story upon the case; but I assure you that that bag did not contain Patrick Deever's body. It was too light."
Prescott spoke with decision. Out of the corner of his eyes Nick could see Chick struggling with this phase of the evidence. Chick was too good a detective not to know that one little fact of that kind is worth a hundred that lie too near the surface.
"You can do me only one more favor," said Nick, addressing Prescott and Miss Allen. "Do not under any circumstances mention what you have seen without my permission."
"You can trust us for that," said Prescott, with a smile, "we are by no means anxious to have our connection with this affair made public."
The two witnesses withdrew, leaving Nick and Chick together. They were silent for several minutes, and then Nick said: