Nick smiled and nodded.
“In this room,” continued Belle, “there is a concealed door, operated by pressing one of the figures in the wall decoration. It opens into a passage leading through another door into Flood’s private room.”
Nick instantly recalled Flood’s escape from Detective Gerry, and again he nodded understandingly.
“The passage was constructed,” added Belle, “for the purpose of quickly getting the gambling implements out of Flood’s house and into this one in case of an unexpected raid by the police.”
“I see.”
“The door is very cleverly constructed, you observe, so that the police could not discover it and light upon the trick.”
“I can see no indications of a door,” said Nick truthfully.
“I’ll show you,” whispered Belle. “But be quiet after the passage is opened, for Flood might then overhear us. He has a hiding-place in the other house and there we shall find him.”
“Good for you!”
“Are you ready?”