CHAPTER IX.UNDER OATH.
“That’s what I propose to do, Chick.”
“Go to the bottom of it, Nick?”
“Plumb to the bottom,” declared the famous detective. “I am now in the case in dead earnest, Chick, and I’m going to know who killed that man Kendall or lose a leg in the attempt.”
“I’ll wager you’ll retain both legs,” laughed Chick.
“I gave my word to that Royal girl when I believed there appeared nothing very serious in the way of making good my promise, and now that I find myself confronted with the most serious of all problems, I’m blessed if I’ll throw up the sponge. I’ll ferret out the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. You hear me!”
Chick laughed again, and he was by no means blind to the grim determination reflected in Nick’s face, nor to the feelings with which his wo
