CHAPTER XVI
LORIMER LANE
Nick Nelson was not an astute man—he was not even sharp-sighted when it came to puzzling things out, but he had unbounded faith in his friends and unflinching loyalty.
He accepted at its face value Barham’s statement that he had exchanged the scarabs. He didn’t question him concerning the matter, he only thought it over afterward and decided on his own line of action.
This was neither more nor less than to put the matter up to an expert. Nelson couldn’t understand Barham—very well, then somebody else should explain him.
From Nelson’s point of view this was no disloyalty or treachery to his friend, for, as he had reasoned it out, Barham was queer, and if people were queer they must be investigated.
His faith in Barham was so absolute that though he knew the man had exchanged a fine scarab for one of lesser value, he did not for a single instant believe this meant any dishonesty or real wrong-doing.
Had he been asked, he couldn’t have said what he did believe regarding the incident, but, he thought, there must be some logical and satisfactory explanation for old Bar ham’s deed. Maybe the fine scarab was his and had been stolen from him—well, that did seem a bit far-fetched—but, anyway, Drew Barham was all right—and if he was so foolish as to let himself be suspected of being wrong—then somebody must look after him.
