Nick smiled grimly. “Follansbee is an extraordinary man,” he answered. “As you say, he already knows that I have a lot of dangerous evidence against him. That very thing, though, may drive him on to fresh crimes, on the theory that he might as well be killed for a sheep as a lamb. If he thinks Crawford is doomed—as he evidently does—another life is of no consequence. I suspect that he really counts on getting rid of me. He implied as much this afternoon. If he tries that, though, he’ll have his hands full, shrewd as he is.”
Nick got up suddenly. “Enough of this,” he said. “We might keep on theorizing all night, but I prefer action.”
“I’m going to try to sound Stone, if possible, and that’s where you’ll come in.” He nodded to his assistant. “I’m going to make use of that nice little introduction you prepared for me at Miss Worth’s,” he added significantly.
Patsy was on his feet at once. “You don’t mean to say——” he began.
Nick smiled. “Precisely,” he replied. “I’m going to occupy that bed next to Stone. I’ll be your convalescent friend.”
“Now, then, my boy,” the detective went on, pointing to the telephone on his desk, “you’ll oblige me by calling up Miss Worth and telling her that your friend has agreed to place himself in her hands. Say that he’ll arrive there about half past nine to-night.”
Patsy eyed his chief doubtfully. “It’s a risky business,” he warned him. “You’ll have to stay there for some time to keep up the bluff, and Follansbee will probably visit Stone to-morrow. If the scoundrel should recognize you——”
“I’ll take that risk,” Nick put in; “but I don’t think he will. If I can’t make use of a disguise that will deceive him, I ought to go out of the business. It’s settled, anyway. I want you to accompany me to Miss Worth’s and see me safely deposited.”
“I haven’t the slightest idea. That will depend on circumstances. Perhaps I can get away after a day, but it may be a week, for all I know.” And he left the room.
Patsy nodded after the lithe, upright figure. “I’ll give you twenty-four hours, chief,” he said to himself; “and if you’re not out of that place by that time, I’ll be hanged if I don’t come and get you.”
He turned to the desk, and, after consulting the telephone book, found the number of Miss Worth’s private hospital.