She appeared as cool and composed as if she had just arisen from her dinner.

Yet in the vestibule stood the one man whom she had most cause to fear, the man who now held her fate in his hand—­Nick Carter.

CHAPTER XIII.

Crafty Cervera.

“Good-evening, Mr. Venner.  Oh, it’s not you!”

“Oh, yes, ’tis!” said Nick, dryly.  “It’s I all right, and I’m it.  You appear surprised at seeing me, Senora Cervera.”

Cervera had begun, then stopped, then uttered the startled exclamation; and all with the utmost coolness, with the air of one stirred only by genuine surprise, and as if without the slightest fear or dismay upon beholding Nick Carter in the vestibule.

So perfectly natural was her artful assumption, that it rather deceived Nick for a short time.

In response to his dry remarks, the artful jade now nodded and began to laugh.

“Surprised?  Well, rather!” she exclaimed, in animated tones.  “I was expecting our mutual friend, dear Mr. Venner, and supposed it was he who rang.  But I’m just as pleased to see you.”

“Yes?”

“Surely!  Come in, Detective Carter.  You are very, very welcome.  I shall be so glad to renew our brief acquaintance.  In fact, Detective Carter, I am quite charmed to see you.”

“You’ll not feel so chipper and charmed when you learn my business,” said Nick to himself, as he entered and followed her to the library.

“Take a chair, Detective Carter, and try to feel perfectly at home,” laughed Cervera, with bantering vivacity.  “You have been here before, you know.”

“Yes, indeed, I know,” said Nick, dryly.  “The night I had a taste of a choke pear, at the hands of your faithful guardians.”

“Ah! but you shall be better treated this time,” smiled Cervera, dropping into a chair opposite the detective, and fixing her sensuous, dark eyes on Nick’s calm, unreadable face.

“I hope so, senora,” he replied.  “By the way, what has become of those two stalwart guardians of your treasures?  Do you still retain them in your employ?”

It was second nature to Nick to feel his way in this crafty fashion, yet he did not really expect any resistance in arresting Cervera, who now laughed and shook her head, replying: 

“No, I have let them go.”

“That so?”

“I have no use for them at present.”

“Why is that?”

“My engagement at the theater has closed, and I seldom have occasion to wear my diamonds.  I have placed them all in a safe deposit vault.”

“Ah!  I see.”

“So I have no need for my guardians, Detective Carter, with only myself here.  Nobody would want me personally, you know,” she added, with a bold laugh.

Nick’s firm lips drew a little closer.

“On the contrary,” said he, pointedly, “somebody does, want you personally.”