A moment later Griswold led Simpson into another room and closed the door. “Look here, Simpson,” he said, without preliminaries, “I’ve been grievously disappointed in you, but we’ll let that pass. I’m done with you, and your dismissal is waiting for you at the office. I want to hear no excuses. As for prosecution, however, you have doubtless counted on immunity from that, and I regret to say that you haven’t counted in vain—unless this new complication makes it worth while to air the whole thing for the sake of a supreme newspaper sensation. For your wife’s sake, I’ll let you know about that as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I shall see that you are under observation all the time. You can’t get away, for I may want you locked up. If I don’t, you’ll soon be free to do what you please and go where you please.” “I—yes, sir,” was all Simpson was able to say, and he had to swallow more than once before he could utter those words. “Now you had better go to your wife.” “But these handcuffs, sir!” Simpson again protested. “You should have thought of the possibility of such adornments before you made away with that fund,” Griswold told him sternly. “Don’t imagine that your wife doesn’t know what you have been up to, for she does. Still, it isn’t her fault, and I would not like to see her needlessly distressed. Perhaps there’s a key to the handcuffs in Cray’s pockets.” There was, and Simpson was freed from the humiliating shackles before he went upstairs to face his wife. Griswold watched his halting progress, then sought the young doctor once more. “It’s important that this man should be able to talk as soon as possible—if he’s ever going to,” he said. “If you desire to consult with any one, no matter what his price, do so, and I’ll be responsible. You may also look to me for your fee, and I wish you would get the best of trained nurses you can procure—one whose discretion you can rely upon. While you are with the patient, listen carefully for anything he may say, and make a note of it, whether it seems delirious or not. Request the nurse to do the same, and see that I’m notified by phone as soon as Cray is able to be questioned for five minutes.” “Very well, Mr. Griswold.” “One thing more. If the patient should become lucid at any time, and you or the nurse should have reason to believe that he may lapse into this same condition in a few minutes, ask him just one question and jot down his answer.” “And that question?” “Ask him who is responsible for his injuries—who struck him down.” Doctor Lord agreed to do so if the opportunity offered, and, after coming to that understanding, the millionaire reëntered his waiting car. “New York,” he ordered, giving Nick Carter’s address. CHAPTER XXXV. A TRAP IS SET FOR NICK.