Nick nodded, as if Ida’s words had confirmed some theory which he had already formed.
“But what was so strange about him?” he prompted.
“Oh, it doesn’t mean anything, of course,” was the reply; “but he bore the most startling resemblance to Doctor Hiram Grantley. If I hadn’t known that Grantley was safe in Sing Sing for a long term of years, I’m afraid I would have sworn that it was he.”
The detective gave Ida a keen, slightly startled look.
“Well, stranger things than that have happened in our experience,” he commented thoughtfully. “I haven’t any reason to believe, though, that Grantley is at large again. He would be quite capable of what you have described, but surely Kennedy would have notified me before this if——”
The telephone had just rung, and, before Nick could finish his sentence, Joseph, his butler, entered. His announcement caused a sensation. It was:
“Long distance, Mr. Carter. Warden Kennedy, of Sing Sing, wishes to speak with you.”
The detective got up quickly, without comment, and stepped out into the hall, where the nearest instrument of the several in the house was located.
Patsy Garvan gave a low, expressive whisper.
“Suffering catfish!” he ejaculated. “It looks as if you were right, Ida!”