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