And before Nick could prevent him the central office man sprang aside, bounded to the door of Flood’s private room, and violently threw it open.
One glance into the room was sufficient.
Even Nick Carter was startled and momentarily amazed.
For the private room, despite that the windows were thirty feet above the ground, and only one door visible, was found to be vacant.
Moses Flood had vanished as mysteriously as if the walls of the room, or the floor itself, had opened and swallowed him.
CHAPTER XI.
NEW CLUES.
As Gerry drew back, amazed at not finding Flood in his private room, Nick caught one swift, significant glance from John Green, the humpback, whose face had lighted like that of nature after a summer shower.
The glance spoke even louder than words, and it told Nick what he already had begun to suspect—that a secret door existed, concealed in one of the walls of the room, by which Flood had easily made his escape.
That he had decided to do so, moreover, suited Nick to the very letter; and, with a cautionary wink at the humpback, he observed derisively:
“You’re down on a dead card, Gerry, that’s plain enough. I told you that Flood was not here, and as you now may see for yourself.”