Nick Carter had accomplished his object, but at some little cost. He had aimed to force the suspects into some impetuous move that would fully confirm his suspicions.
He had expected it to follow his assertion that Cyrus Darling was alive, and that the supposed suicide was but part of a knavish scheme, including Kate Crandall, Jim Dacey, and Cyrus Darling himself. The speedy effect of his declarations, however, as well as the resources of the rascals, had exceeded his anticipations.
But there was still another reason for the sudden aggressive move made by Philip Floyd, a reason that Nick could not possibly have anticipated, yet which alone necessitated the desperate step Floyd had taken.
Patsy Garvan was responsible for it, though not because of any fault on his part. Following the inst
