As Nick made the bold assertion of his power to produce Patrick Deever alive, both Chick and the superintendent looked at him with something as near doubt as anybody who knew Nick Carter could feel in any of his statements.
They both saw that Deever felt sure of his brother's escape, and they could not help seeing that there was many chances in favor of it.
But Nick was undismayed. He put his trust in Patsy's fidelity.
"I shall hold you and Flint under arrest," said Superintendent Byrnes to Deever. "Dr. Jarvis, you may go when you wish."
Nick, Chick and Dr. Jarvis left the room, after the last-named had expressed his thanks to those concerned in his deliverance.
Nick went at once to Nyack. It was very late when he reached there.
He made his way to the house of Lawrence Deever, which stood some distance from the centre of the town.
There was no sign of Patsy about the place. The house seemed to be deserted.
Nick easily effected an entrance. He searched the house thoroughly.
There were signs of the recent presence of Patrick Deever. He had done some rude cooking. The remnants of the food which he had prepared were visible.