Then he returned to take his leave of the doctor--a difficult business, which he managed with great skill. This done, he secretly left the hospital. What had been the true meaning of the night's events? It puzzled him to say. Was the body on the slab that of Patrick Deever, or had the doctor gone through in his sleep the act which he intended to perform later with the real body? Nick thought that the latter was more probable. He was inclined to believe that the body of Deever might be concealed about the building. If so, he would find it. Reflecting thus, he passed outside the hospital walls. Three men were approaching along St. Nicholas avenue. Two of these he quickly recognized as Chick and Lawrence Deever. The other was unknown to him. Evidently Chick had sent Cleary away in a carriage which they had kept waiting near the hospital during the evening. How he had met Deever, Nick could not guess. He went forward to meet the three men. He had removed the disguise in which he had deceived the doctor, and was now as Deever had seen him before. Deever recognized him at once, and started forward, saying: "You ask for proof of my brother's death. I will give it to you. Here is a man who saw him buried." And he pointed to the stranger. CHAPTER IV. WHAT WAS FOUND IN THIS GARDEN. Nick received Deever's startling intelligence with every evidence of satisfaction. "You are doing great work, Mr. Deever," said he. "We shall soon have this affair straightened out." As Nick pronounced these words he signaled to Chick in their sign language as follows: "What do you think of this witness?" Chick promptly returned the answer: "He seems to be telling the truth." Then Deever turned toward the new witness. "Mr. Haskell, Mr. Colton," said he, in hasty introduction. "Now, Haskell, tell what you know." "Wait," said Nick, "who is this man?" And he pointed to Chick. "He's a fellow that knows my brother. We met him just below, and brought him along to help in the identification. There are two more coming." "Then you purpose to disinter your brother's body at once?" "Of course I do." "You have no tools." "The others will bring them. That's what they're after." "Where is the place?" "The hospital garden. Haskell, tell your story. But, no; I'll tell it for you to save time." He took Nick by the arm and led him along the hospital wall on the southern side of the ground. They followed the wall in the direction of the river, until they came to the corner. Between them and the river was a large piece of ground nearly as wild in appearance as it was a hundred years ago. Many trees and bushes grew upon it. "This place," said Deever, "is a sort of lovers' walk. Any pleasant evening in summer you can see dozens of couples walking down that path. "Haskell was here Monday evening with a young lady. They sat for a while on the trunk of a fallen tree, looking off toward the river.