“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I prefer to face the music. Don’t ask me why. That’s my business.”
Nick began to see his way more clearly. Had Flood imagined for a moment that his visitor was Nick Carter, he would have appreciated the difficulty of hiding his true feelings and designs, and quite possibly have proceeded differently. As it was, Nick was steadily getting at the truth; yet he still had much to learn, and he saw that Flood had resolved upon some fixed design which he by no means would voluntarily disclose.
Nick was equally determined to discover of what the design consisted, as well as the motive for it, and he now pressed home the weapon he knew would wound deepest, and possibly evoke a self-betrayal. With a grave shake of his head, he slowly answered:
“True, Mose, it is your business. But I told you just now I was as good a friend as you have, and when Gerry spoke of arresting you I hastened here to head him off and warn you of your danger.”
Flood relaxed a little, as if he appreciated the service mentioned, and gravely answered:
“That was very good of you, Badger, and you meant well. But I am not a man to run when danger threatens. I’ve been up against it too many years.”
“You’ll let them arrest you, eh?”
“I shall make no move to prevent it.”