When he was through, Nick said:
“Masson has shipped off to Chicago the two men who were his instruments in the dog poisoning affair. Now he is going away for a long cruise himself.”
“But, chief,” said Chick, eagerly; “how about that funeral? His going away seems to be tied up with that.”
“I was coming to that,” said Nick, “and it is the most important thing. The undertaker, having been given full charge, had appointed to-morrow as the day of the funeral, but Mrs. Constant, having learned this, postponed the funeral another day, on the ground that it seemed like hurrying Ethel into the tomb to have the funeral so soon.
“Now compare this fact with what Patsy overheard between Masson and that third man who came up, and we can conclude that the funeral Masson is interested in is that of Ethel Romney.
“It appears, then, that Masson is determined to begin his cruise on the day of that funeral. Why?”
“It is very strange,” said Chick, “and I take it we will have to find that out. It can’t be, chief, that it is to be explained on the simple ground that Masson wishes to attend that funeral?”
“Dismiss that idea, Chick,” said Nick. “Masson will not attend in any event. No, we must look deeper than that for an explanation.”
The three were silent a moment, each busy with his own thoughts, when Nick said:
“This calls for action. We may be forced to show our hands before we are quite ready.”