Evidently she jabbed the pin through the paper only
in idleness."
"She is lying on a box of some kind, from which she probably had taken
this wrapping paper."
"So I see," nodded Nick. "Lend me a hand, Chick, and we'll have a look
at the box."
With gentle hands the two detectives moved the girl's lifeless form, and
Nick then took up the box mentioned.
It was about four inches square, and was made of silver, with an open
work design of vines and leaves, which displayed a blue silk lining
through the metal apertures. Plainly enough it was a lady's jewel
casket, and one of considerable value; but it was entirely empty, and it
bore no name or inscription.
For several moments Nick Carter examined it very intently, with his
brows gradually knitting closer and closer; and all the while Officer
Fogarty, and the group of men in the gravel walk a few yards distant,
mutely gazed and wondered.
Chick Carter, however, who could read Nick's every change of expression,
saw at once that the great detective not only was making some startling
discoveries, but also was arriving at deductions far too subtle and
significant to have been reached by any less keen and practiced
observer.
"What do you make of it, Nick?" whispered Chick, dropping to his knee
beside his companion.
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