“Here is one point,” Nick replied. “Carney claims to have been walking only a short distance behind Dillon when the assault was committed. It’s a hundred to one in that case that the thugs would have seen him, or heard him. They were exercising caution and must have been on the lookout to avoid arrest, as well as to attack Dillon at a time and place precluding interference. They surely would have seen or heard Carney, therefore, if he was only thirty yards behind Dillon, and they would have known that he most likely would rush to his assistance.” “Sure thing, chief,” declared Patsy. “There’s no getting around it.” “Naturally, then, they would have postponed the assault, if revenge was their only incentive. That would have kept until another day.” “That’s right, too, chief.” “It’s long odds, then, that Carney is lying,” Nick continued. “In view of his running away, moreover, instead of waiting to see how badly Dillon was hurt, as most men would have done under such circumstances as Carney describes, he very probably was hiding with the thugs and was in league with them. That’s more in line with his character, as here stated.” “There is something in that, Nick, after all,” Chick said, more seriously. “I begin to think you are right.” “Assuming that I am, Carney evidently has determined not to betray his confederates,” Nick went on. “He sees a loophole for escape in this story he has told, and he is going to stick to it. He knows the lawyer who pursued him cannot disprove it, having seen only the three men running away after the assault.” “That appears to be obvious, Nick, at least.” “But Carney may have still another motive,” Nick added. “He is known to be a thief. The assault may have been made with intent to rob. In spite of Dillon’s assertion to the contrary, moreover, the thugs may have robbed him of something.” “But he would know it in that case, Nick,” said Chick. “What possible object could Dillon have in concealing the fact?” Nick smiled a bit oddly. “Suppose he was robbed of something which he does not dare admit having had on his person?” he said inquiringly. “Gee whiz!” cried Patsy quickly. “You are thinking of the portfolio, chief.” “That calls the turn, Patsy,” Nick replied. “Let’s see what further warrants that idea. It is a significant fact that this assault was committed last Friday evening, that on which Garland was robbed of his portfolio.” “That’s right, too, by gracious!” said Patsy, with increasing enthusiasm. “Gee! I’ll bet we have struck the trail.” “But how could the portfolio have come into Dillon’s hand?” Chick demanded skeptically.