“If I am right, then, Nordeck took it to the house in which he died, or hid it somewhere else, perhaps, expecting to recover from his wound and soon whack up with his confederates, who, evidently, were not living with him and Nancy in the Harlem house.” “Surely not, Nick, or they would have been seen by the neighbors.” “Instead, however, Nordeck died, and the girl experienced a change of heart. I now feel dead sure of that, Chick, and it’s not the first time that death has brought about such a reformation.” “But why did she not, in that case, take the plunder directly to the bank officials, or turn it over to the police?” “For two reasons, perhaps,” Nick pointed out. “She may have feared arrest, or knew that she would be watched and would be prevented by other members of the gang.” “Possibly.” “The fact that they did not go to the Harlem house and force her to give up the plunder, moreover, convinces me that Nordeck had hidden it somewhere, and, that after his death, Nancy alone knew where it could be found.” “I see.” “She did not dare to go and remove it, however, lest she should be seen and waylaid by the gang. She went to Maybrick, therefore, and told him all of the circumstances. It would have been perfectly natural for her to select him, for his charitable work among the criminal classes is widely known, and she would have felt sure that she could rely upon him.” “That goes without saying,” said Chick. “This theory is further confirmed by the fact that Maybrick left home the following night with two empty suit cases,” Nick argued. “In which to bring home the plunder?” “Exactly.” “But why did he draw five hundred dollars from the bank?” “H’m, let’s see,” Nick said thoughtfully. “It’s obvious that Nancy Nordeck is nearly penniless, aside from the bank funds. She may have refused to take any more of the stolen money, yet may have insisted upon having funds with which to leave the country. She is wanted for several petty crimes, you know.” “True.” “Maybrick must have drawn his own money to give her, knowing he would afterward be reimbursed by the bank officials. There is a reward of ten thousand dollars for the recovery of the funds.” “The girl could have got that,” said Chick. “If she has had the turn of heart that the circumstances lead me to suspect, she would not accept the reward,” Nick replied. “That is a woman’s way of doing things.” “I begin to think you are right Nick, after all.” “I feel pretty sure of it.” “But how do you account for Maybrick’s absence and his----” “That’s the worst feature of the case,” Nick put in. “You mean?” “That he’s in bad, most likely, as well as Nancy Nordeck.” “I don’t quite get you.” “Suppose I am right,” said Nick. “Suppose this theory is correct. It’s a copper-riveted cinch, Chick, in that case, that the gang that committed the burglary has been stealthily watching Nancy Nordeck and----”