“Well, if there was no direct male heir to the estate and title of the Earl of Eggleston, both would fall legally, and possibly by will, to Sir Edward Chadwick,” Nick said pointedly. “You suspect him of treachery, then, and of playing a deep game.” “That hits the nail on the head.” “You think he has conspired with others to murder Waldmere, and remove the only barrier to his inheriting the estate and title of his brother?” “That also rings a bull’s-eye,” Nick nodded. “But wouldn’t he incur such serious suspicion at home, Nick, that he might----” “Not in the way he has undertaken the job,” Nick interposed. “He ostensibly is acting as agent for the Earl of Eggleston, and apparently is engaged in a genuine search for Waldmere. He has appealed to Scotland Yard and got a letter of introduction to me. I feel quite sure, however, that both steps were taken only to give color to his pretentions. If I am right, Chick, he is getting in his secret work with the help of knaves hired for the purpose, while he keeps well in the background and pretends to be playing an honorable part.” “But the killing of Waldmere may enable him to----” “I’m not sure that there has been any killing,” Nick again interrupted. “No murder?” “Not yet.” “Great guns!” Chick exclaimed. “That’s encouraging, at least, but why do you think so?” “I have been looking over some of this evidence again,” said Nick, glancing at the articles on his desk. “I think I detect the work of a crook who is as crafty and designing as Chadwick himself, assuming that I have sized him up correctly.” “You mean Floyd?” “Yes.” “Why do you think he figures in the case?” “Because of his presence at my door to-night and the fact that, even while he fled, the taxicab containing Chadwick was approaching my house,” said Nick. “There was something more than a coincidence, Chick, in that both were here at the same time. It is very significant of relations between them.” “By Jove, that does seem reasonable,” said Chick. “I agree with you.” “Just what relations exist between them, however, and how the two came together, are open questions,” Nick added. “Floyd is a keen and clever rascal. He would not engage in such a job as this, if my suspicions are correct, without clearly seeing his way to getting all that would be coming to him. He would not undertake such a job, moreover, for any small sum.” “That’s true.” “Bear in mind, now, that Chadwick is a long way from home. It’s a hundred to one that he has not at immediate command any such sum as Floyd would require, nor could he easily obtain it from England without laying himself liable to subsequent suspicion.” “That’s right, too.” “What’s the logical deduction, then?” “You say.”