What Nick saw, though, the open knife, the cut cords, convinced him that Patsy had made his escape.
But the case did not seem to be finished, for the valuable papers and the governor’s daughter were still missing, to say nothing of the great ransom that had been paid down.
So Nick went with the governor to Manchester, and there found Patsy, Miss Estelle, and all that the governor had been looking for.
It is supposed that one of the gang hid the papers and the money in the box under the stairs during the confusion of the attempt to escape.
“It was a clever move,” said Nick, discussing it; “for the rascal must have known that some, if not all the gang, would be captured, and it would be foolish to have the stuff captured with them. So he took the chance of hiding it, meaning to go back some time, next day, probably, and get it.”
Gov. Bradley offered to pay Nick and Patsy for their services.
“I don’t think we want any pay,” replied Nick. “We’ve had a good time out of it, and we weren’t engaged on the matter at all. But I’d like to ask two favors.”
“They shall be granted,” said the governor.
“First, then, when you have detective work to do in the future, don’t try to do it yourself.”