Читать книгу The Great Diamond Syndicate; Or, The Hardest Crew on Record онлайн

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“It’s an odd case,” said Nick presently. “We can only trace the stolen gems to members of the family, and there is the murder.”

“But in terror of discovery,” said Chick, “is it not possible that even a member of the family might have dealt the blow which killed the old man?”

Nick made no reply. He walked down the hall leading to the servants’ quarters, and examined the floor both at the door and near it. The cunning maid had swept the floor clean along the path of travel with the robe, but Nick continued his investigations along the walls, where the robe had not touched.

At last he turned away and, accompanied by his assistant, passed down the stairs and entered the parlor on the floor below. There they found Charley awaiting their arrival. Nick closed the door which communicated with other parts of the house, and asked:

“How long has the maid been here?”

Charley smiled.

“Don’t waste your time there,” he said. “She came from Paris with aunt ten or more years ago, and is devoted to the family.”