“I’ll answer for them,” said Deever.  “I know them all well, except that man—­where is that man?”

He looked around for Chick, but that individual had disappeared.  He had caught a glance from Nick when the latter had spoken of his assistant at the hospital, and had immediately slipped away under the shadow of the trees.

“That fellow will give it away,” cried Deever.  “That’s what he sneaked for.  He’ll sell the news to the papers.”

“If he does we can’t help it,” said Nick.  “And as for you, I judge that you would not be sorry if he did.”

“You are right,” said Deever, looking grimly at Dr. Jarvis, “the sooner this murderer is held up before the public the better I’ll be pleased.”

“I shall be sorry,” said Nick, “and yet perhaps it will not make much difference.  In the meantime we will do what we can to keep the secret on our part.”

Deever chuckled.  It was evident that he regarded the secret as already out, and that he was entirely satisfied.

“Now come with me,” said Nick to Jarvis, “and you others wait for me here.”

He led the doctor to his room in the hospital, where, of course, they found Chick, in a different disguise, waiting for them.

Jarvis acted like a man in a trance, he was so thoroughly overpowered by the horror of his situation.  In his room, he seemed to forget the presence of the two detectives.  He flung himself down upon his cot, and appeared to sink almost instantly into a stupor.

After a word or two with Chick, Nick made his way back to the little group around the dead body.

“Get a carriage up to the wall,” said Nick, “and remove the corpse to your house.  I will see a coroner, and get the necessary permit.  I will be answerable for the removal in advance of the permit.”

In spite of Deever’s distrust of Nick, the great detective’s manner, when he spoke with decision, was such as to secure instant obedience.

The body was carried to the wall; two men were left to guard it, while Deever, with Klein, went for the carriage.

Nick separated himself from the party.  He did not go to see a coroner, however.  He went to Lawrence Deever’s house, which he entered secretly, and searched from top to bottom, but without finding anything of interest.

Then he went to his own house, where he waked Patsy.

“Go to Lawrence Deever’s country-house near Nyack,” he said to his youthful assistant.  “Watch it, and see that no man leaves it.”

Morning was breaking as Nick secretly entered St. Agnes’ Hospital, and made his way to Dr. Jarvis’ room.

He pushed the door open softly, believing that the doctor would be still asleep, and Chick on guard.

The room was empty.

Nick was at first amazed, and then he reflected that it was quite possible that some disclosure of the prisoner had led Chick to accompany him in search of evidence.