Cautiously Chick lifted an eyelid.  A less acute observer than Nick would not have seen the movement.

The eye opened wide, and then it winked.  Chick was all right.

“Shall I cut this rope?” asked Nick.

Chick spoke straight through the gag with very little trouble.

“It isn’t necessary,” he said.  “I can get loose at any moment.  Dr. Jarvis is not an expert at tying knots, though there are some other things that he understands pretty well.”

“How did this happen?”

“It was a clever trick,” said Chick.  “He threw some kind of a drug into my face.  If I hadn’t known—­thanks to your teaching long ago—­just what to do in a case of that kind, I should have gone to sleep in a second.

“As it was, the drug made my head swim.  But I kept it out of my lungs, and pulled through.

“Of course, I pretended to be unconscious, for I wanted to see what he would do.  He tied me up rather clumsily; gagged me exceedingly well; and laid me on this slab, after removing a headless body.

“He went down into the cellar, and I slipped my bonds and followed him.  I found him getting his furnace ready.

“Knowing what he would do, I got back to my downy couch here, pulled the bed-clothes over me, and waited.

“He came back and got the body of my predecessor and took it down cellar.  Of course, he is burning it.  Look out!  He’s coming!”

Chick quickly replaced the sheet.

Nick could see that beneath it Chick slid his hands again within the rope that had been used to bind him.

Then Nick sprang toward the door of the doctor’s room, pushed out a case of instruments from the wall, and got behind it.

Dr. Jarvis went to Chick’s side, lifted the sheet, and looked at the quiet face.

Then he felt of the rope, but it seemed to be tight.

He replaced the sheet, and came toward the door beside which Nick was concealed.

No sooner had Jarvis passed within the room than Nick came out of his hiding-place and followed the doctor.

Jarvis was engaged in putting a few articles into a small bag.  His back was toward the door, but he heard Nick’s entrance and turned quickly.

He sprang to his feet with a cry.  Then his hands fell to his sides.  He was the picture of despair.

“I see,” said Nick, “you were preparing to run away.”

Jarvis made no answer.

“That would have been the most foolish thing you could do,” said Nick.  “It would have been equivalent to confession.”

“And why not?” groaned the doctor.

“Do you admit your guilt?”

“No, I do not,” said Jarvis firmly; “but everything is against me.”

“Well, we will consider that subject later.  What did you intend to do with my friend yonder?”

He pointed through the open door toward Chick.

“Nothing,” said Jarvis.  “I intended simply to leave him there.  He would not have been discovered till I had got a good start.”