“Gee whiz! it’s more than that, Chick,” cried Patsy. “It’s almost convincing.” “That’s precisely what it is, Patsy,” said Nick. “Since then, no doubt, the rascals have obtained other suits like those worn by Clayton, rather than depend upon his wearing that particular one at the time when it was necessary to commit the robbery. He probably wore it to-day by chance. The coincidence, nevertheless, is no less significant on that account.” “Not an atom less, chief, surely.” “Do you think, then, that they had this jewel robbery in view when they abducted Clayton?” Chick asked. “I certainly do,” Nick replied. “Mademoiselle Falloni’s jewels have a world-wide reputation. They have been the sensation of Europe. She invariably wears them when singing _Cleopatra_. Her engagement in New York at this time was announced months ago, also the fact that a suite in the Westgate had been retained for her. All of these details were literally handed to the crooks by the newspapers, enabling them to definitely plan this robbery.” “Well, all that does seem quite reasonable,” Chick nodded. “Let’s go a step farther, then,” Nick continued. “Having thus paved the way for the crime, what was the most natural step for the crooks to have taken, or at least the one who was to impersonate Clayton?” “You say.” “Obviously, Chick, it would have been to take quarters in the hotel, seeking apartments convenient for the job and pretending to be a reputable person. Not only could Clayton’s daily habits in the house then be observed, but suspicion after the crime would also be averted.” “Why so?” “Because old residents in a hotel are seldom suspected under such circumstances. Recent guests are the ones who incur distrust.” “That also is true, Nick.” “Furthermore, no doubt, the crooks have reasoned that no connection would be suspected between this crime and the abduction episodes of more than three months ago.” “Nor would it have been, Nick, if Clayton had not mentioned the strange circumstances to us.” “Possibly not. Nothing definite, at all events, would have been deduced from them,” said Nick. “Gee! it strikes me, chief, that we ought to derive some advantage from all this,” said Patsy. “I think that we can.” “What’s your scheme?” “I want you, Patsy, to return to the Westgate in disguise,” said Nick. “Get next to Vernon, the head clerk, and confide your identity to him.” “And then?” “Then learn from him what persons now in the house have been permanent guests for the past three months, or since a week or two earlier, having arrived there about the time of Clayton’s abduction.” “I see the point, chief,” Patsy quickly nodded.