“It cannot have gone out there of itself,” remarked Chick.
“But why Flood went out there again, after having been turned down by the rector, and making that big losing to Kendall, is more than I can conjecture.”
“You heard young Royal’s threats in the faro-bank,” said Chick.
“Certainly I heard them.”
“Possibly Flood feared that the drunken scamp meant to execute them, and he may have gone out there to prevent him.”
Nick quickly shook his head.
“Well enough reasoned, Chick,” said he, “but your theory hasn’t feet to stand on.”
“Why not?”
“In the first place,” replied Nick, “Flood attached no serious importance to Royal’s threats, and barely gave them a second thought. His face showed that; also that his mind was intent upon some other matter.”
“I’ll admit that he appeared so.”