“Look there,” said Nick, pointing at the bottom of the legs of the trousers on the dead man. “Tell me what you see.”
“Only a small, green burr.”
“Exactly. Only a small, green burr—and on the other leg, the remnants of another small, green burr that has been picked off and thrown away. I did not find any evidence of such a thing on the trousers you wore, Danton.”
“Well, I don’t know, to be sure, but I don’t think I went anywhere to get such things fast to me.”
“Exactly; and it is evident that Orizaba did, is it not?”
“Why, yes.”
“Do you remember if he drank very much last night? Was he as full as you were when you started for home?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think he was, however, for the reason that he generally kept his head much better than I could.”
“And yet, when your sister heard that he was in your rooms, ill, you say she doubtless believed that it was because he was drunk last night. Now, you take your stand over there at the window and keep your eyes out through it, so that you can tell me the moment you see any signs of the doctor’s arrival. That’s it. Don’t have me in mind at all, but tell me when you see anybody coming.”
Danton obeyed, and as soon as his back was turned, Nick Carter began to work in earnest.