“It seems to be a paralytic stroke,” Follansbee announced presently. “You had better call an ambulance and have him taken somewhere at once.” Then, as if struck by a new idea, he went on: “Come to think of it, you might as well send him to St. Swithin’s. I was going there in a few minutes, anyway. There’s a special case that needs watching. Why not put him in this taxi?”
The cool cunning of the man had its reward.
Under ordinary circumstances, the unfortunate Stone would have been taken to another hospital—one with an emergency ward—but at Follansbee’s suggestion the inert, heavily-breathing form was lifted into the machine, and one of the policeman took his place beside it. Up Amsterdam Avenue, toward the big hospital over which Follansbee presided, the cab made its way. Follansbee himself had climbed into the seat beside the driver, and the ragged young man who had been following him looked uncertainly after the dwindling vehicle.
From that the vagrant’s gaze shifted to the remaining policeman, who was eying him suspiciously.
“This is no place for me,” thought the young fellow; and he made off hurriedly along the side street before the officer had time to accost him.
It was Patsy Garvan, Nick Carter’s second assistant, and he was doing an almost unheard-of thing. In other words, he was there without his chief’s knowledge or sanction. It was not as much of a breach of discipline as it might have been, however, for he was under Chick’s orders. Chick had something of a grudge against Doctor Follansbee, and had not been altogether satisfied with his chief’s assurance that he should have a hand in the case later on. It was impossible for him to do anything himself, because he was in charge at the detective’s headquarters in the absence of Carter; but he had done the next best thing. He had found no trouble in inducing Patsy Garvan to shadow Follansbee’s house while Nick Carter was watching James Stone at the hotel.
“Follansbee is a slippery customer,” Chick had confided to the other, “and it strikes me that he needs a little attention. He’s capable of almost anything, and I’d like nothing better than to bring him up short without the chief’s help. As that’s out of the question, though, I’m going to turn him over to you. Don’t let the chief know what you’re up to, if you can help it. I’d like to surprise him with some information that would be news to him; and when it comes to a showdown, I’ll take all the responsibility.”