CHAPTER VI.THE LAST LINK IN THE CHAIN.
Nick’s first glance at the body of Chick took a weight like a mountain of lead off his heart.
Chick was bound and gagged.
This was enough to make Nick certain that no serious harm had come to him, but he was instantly made aware of it in another way.
Cautiously Chick lifted an eyelid. A less acute observer than Nick would not have seen the movement.
The eye opened wide, and then it winked. Chick was all right.
“Shall I cut this rope?” asked Nick.
Chick spoke straight through the gag with very little trouble.
“It isn’t necessary,” he said. “I can get loose at any moment. Dr. Jarvis is not an expert at tying knots, though there are some other things that he understands pretty well.”
“How did this happen?”
“It was a clever trick,” said Chick. “
