Nick’s grave voice took on a subtle ring.
“On the contrary, Mose, I think you will.”
“You think I will!” exclaimed Flood, with a dark frown.
“Precisely.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because it does not suit me, Mose, that you shall be arrested for Kendall’s murder.”
“Not suit you! Why so?”
“For a very good reason. If robbery was the motive for the crime, I happen to know that you did not commit it.”
“What do you mean?” Flood hoarsely gasped. “How do you know it?”
“Because no man would kill another for money voluntarily lost to him within an hour,” cried Nick sharply. “I was wise to your play last night. I saw you deal a very clever brace game, and yet you made yourself a loser. With a deck of strippers you forced Kendall to win the money for which he afterward was slain—but not by you, Moses Flood! I’ll stake my life upon that, let the evidence be what it may. You——”