CHAPTER VIII.
BEFORE THE SUPERINTENDENT.
As Nick expected, he met Chick outside Superintendent Byrnes's house.
"Go to Jarvis," said Nick. "He is going to tell the whole story.
Personate me in this disguise."
Chick nodded and vanished.
Within the house Nick found Deever in the superintendent's presence.
Deever's face was red, and he looked like a man who had been kicking a stone wall until he is tired.
"Mr. Deever has lodged a complaint against you, Mr. Colton," said the superintendent, with a twinkle in his eye.
"What's the matter?" asked Nick.
"He says that you ought to have had this man Jarvis electrocuted by this time."
"I have proceeded with great caution," said Nick.
"Yes, you have," said Deever. "You have been very careful to shield Jarvis at every step. He's a rich man, Jarvis is!"
"Deever," said the superintendent, sternly, "I have delayed answering your complaint until this time because I wished to have Mr. Colton present to hear what I said.
"And, now, what I have to say is this--don't you venture to hint at the shadow of a suspicion of his integrity. I am entirely satisfied with Mr.
Colton's conduct. I sustain him absolutely. I have put this case in his hands, and there it stays."
Deever quailed at these words, but his natural obstinacy came to his aid.
"I can get a warrant for Jarvis' arrest," he said.
"Go ahead and do it, and make a fool of yourself," replied the superintendent.
"With your permission," said Nick, "I advise Mr. Deever to remain here.
Meanwhile we will send a messenger for the witness, John Flint, whose testimony seems to me to be of the greatest importance."
"Proceed just as you wish," said Byrnes.
The messenger was summoned, and dispatched.
While they waited for him Nick reviewed in the presence of the superintendent and Deever the evidence against Jarvis.
Some of it, as the reader knows, was news to Deever. He seemed surprised to find the case supported and strengthened by the man whom he suspected of trying to weaken it.
"I call that plain enough," said he, when Nick had finished. "I will withdraw my charge against Mr. Colton, if some action is now taken."
"No action will be taken except on his advice," said the superintendent.
Deever became excited again. He ran over the evidence, and insisted on an immediate arrest.
Nick said nothing, and the superintendent maintained the calm of an iron statue.
When Deever had exhausted himself, Nick spoke.
"I promise you an arrest in one hour," he said.
At this moment a card was brought in and handed to the superintendent.
"From Chick," he said aside to Nick. "He and Jarvis are waiting. What do you say?"
"Let them come in," said Nick.
They were admitted. Chick, as the reader is prepared to learn, appeared as the exact counterpart of Nick.
Deever was struck dumb with astonishment at the sight, and the doctor's eyes nearly fell out of his head.
Byrnes smiled, and muttered "clever."
"Which of these two men do you complain of, Mr. Deever?" he asked, enjoying the man's mystification.
But Deever did not reply, except to mutter something about the interference of the devil in earthly affairs.
Dr. Jarvis, with some effort, recovered some portion of his composure.
"Well, sir," said the superintendent, addressing him, "I suppose that you have something to say to me."
"I have, sir," replied Jarvis; "and no man could be charged with a more painful disclosure."
"Speak up."
"I am guilty of the murder of Patrick Deever."
This confession produced no perceptible effect upon Nick, though the reader cannot have failed to perceive that the great detective had been working with a conviction of the doctor's innocence.
Of all the persons in the room, Deever exhibited the strongest emotion.
He gasped, sprang to his feet, and then sat down again heavily.
"What do you say to that?" he exclaimed, turning to Nick.
"I am waiting to hear Dr. Jarvis' story," Nick replied.
"Yes," said the superintendent, "let us hear all about it."