ime upon Dr. Jarvis.

"He stole the doctor's cap and dressing-gown on Monday night, and then
returned them when the job was done. But they showed the signs of hard
usage.

"You remember, doctor, that I carefully examined them. It was plain that
a much larger man than the doctor had worn them.

"The seams in the back and around the arms were strained, and some of
them had burst. This was only a hint, of course, but it fitted the
remainder of the case.

"The strongest indication, however, was the way Deever secured
testimony. I had only to hint that I wanted to cover a point, and he
immediately went out and secured the witness."

"But most of them told the truth," said the superintendent.

"Yes," Nick admitted, "there he was wonderfully helped by fate. It
happened that he was seen at just the right moments, when he was
playing the part of Dr. Jarvis.

"If he hadn't been so impatient it would even have been unnecessary for
him to produce this man Flint. Chick secured real witnesses who were
much better.

"And there we come to the point where we are sure about Deever. Prescott
and Miss Allen told the truth. Flint, prompted by Deever, told exactly
the same story.

"Therefore, Deever must have known precisely what the facts were.
Investigation convinces me that he could have known them in only one
way--by being himself the person who performed the acts described."

"Do you mean to accuse me of murdering my brother?" demanded Deever.

"Certainly not," said Nick. "Do you remember the question I asked you on
the first day of the investigation? I asked, 'Who has been murdered?'"

"Well?"

"I answer that question now. Nobody has been murdered. Your brother is
alive. There is nothing the matter with him, except a scalp wound. The
body found was a substitute which you procured. It was you who made the
wounds with the spade."

"This is all bare assertion," cried Deever, who, in irons, sat upon the
floor with his back against a chair. "You cannot prove what you say."

"Let me first explain how the trick was done," said Nick, coolly. "Your
brother, after he had somewhat recovered from the effects of the blow he
had received, went to your house.

"He wished you to help him get revenge upon Dr. Jarvis. You had your own
grudge against him on account of your unsuccessful suit for his
daughter.

"You saw the chance of a deeper revenge than your brother had any idea
of. You then planned this whole conspiracy. He was to