THE OTHER SIDE OF A "PLAIN CASE."
As may readily be supposed, the emotions excited in the various persons present differed widely.
But of the two who rejoiced, it is hard to say that Chick was second to Dr. Jarvis. The smile which settled down upon Chick's face was beautiful to behold. He was the image of satisfaction.
"I had it right," he said, and hugged himself.
The doctor in the meanwhile sat in a sort of delightful trance. Just what had happened he could not have told anybody, but he perceived that he had sailed out of all his difficulties.
Flint and Deever, of course, protested loudly, but the superintendent promptly "shut them up."
"Don't you dare to say a word, either of you, till I hear the inside of this whole case," said he.
"It is one of the finest examples of the dangers of circumstantial evidence that I ever saw," said Nick. "No jury that ever sat in the box would hesitate a moment to convict Dr. Jarvis, yet he is entirely innocent.
"The principal confusion, in my own mind, was a result of the doctor's belief in his own guilt. That is why he bribed me, believing me to be Cleary. By the way, here is your five thousand dollars, doctor."
He handed the package of bills to the astonished physician, who could only gasp, "You? you?"