“Do you think that difficulty has now been overcome?”

“I am compelled to think so, Mr. Carter,” cried Pylotte, pointing to the two diamonds on the table.

“You purchased them at a price compelling that belief?”

“Exactly.”

“Then you think the man of whom you got them has discovered a way to make such perfect artificial diamonds at a low price?”

“I certainly do, Mr. Carter.”

“Have you any idea of the machinery and ingredients he might require?” asked Nick, with a view to getting points by which to locate the diamond plant.

Pylotte could easily inform him, and he promptly did so, following the instructions given him by Dave Kilgore.

“He would require an electric furnace and a hydraulic press,” said he.  “Also the tools for cutting the crude crystals.  The ingredients used would depend upon the process he has discovered, probably coal or charcoal, and possibly some quantities of iron salts and sulphur.”

“In brief, then, Mr. Pylotte,” said Nick, pointing to the diamonds on the table, “if those stones were made as cheaply as you think, the diamond market offers the manufacturers of them a field for a most gigantic swindle, does it not?”

“Indeed it does!” exclaimed Pylotte, throwing up both hands.  “Enormous!  Enormous!  Millions could be made by so unparalleled a fraud!”

“It opens the way, in fact, to the most colossal swindle on record?”

“Undoubtedly.”

Nick glanced significantly at Chick, then abruptly rose to his feet.  That he had struck the big game which from the first he had suspected, he now had not a doubt.

“I require no more of you at present, Mr. Pylotte,” said he, with courteous firmness.  “I shall do all in my power to remedy your loss by this swindle, and to secure the perpetrators of it.”

“Thank you, Detective Carter,” bowed Pylotte, with a crafty display of appreciation and humility.

“Meantime,” added Nick, “you will please take no action in the case, but leave it entirely to me.”

“I will do so, sir.”

“If you will leave me your city address, or call here again in a few days, I shall have something to report to you.”

“I will call the day after to-morrow, Detective Carter,” said Pylotte, promptly, too cunning to give Nick a fictitious address.

“Very well,” said Nick.  “Call in the evening.  And now, Mr. Pylotte, we will bid you good-morning, and get to work at once upon the case.”

Pylotte bowed very agreeably, taking his artificial diamonds from the table and replacing them in his pocket; and Nick then conducted him to the door, again assuring him that no efforts in his behalf should be spared.

Pylotte once more expressed his thanks, bowing and smiling as he descended the steps, and Nick closed the door and returned to the library.

“Well, Chick, the bag is open and the cat out,” he cried, as he entered.