For these reasons Nick was coolly taking very long chances, at the same time leaving Chick free to quickly get in his work, in case he himself went down at the outset.

Yet there was not a sign of any person save Venner, as Nick followed him through the hall and into a side room near the rear of the house, evidently a dining room.

Nick sized it up with a glance.  Electric chandelier; two doors, one by which he had entered from the hall, and the other leading into a dark kitchen; two windows, with the curtains closely drawn; several chairs, a handsome sideboard, and in the middle of the room a large, square table, covered with a rich damask cloth hanging nearly to the floor.

Upon the table was also spread a piece of black velvet, on which was displayed nearly a score of blazing diamonds—­the most magnificent artificial stones ever born of man’s restless genius.

Nick rightly guessed their true character, yet he allowed an ejaculation of admiration to escape him.

“Ah!  Magnificent!”

“Look them over,” cried Venner, with a swift scrutiny of Nick’s swarthy features.  “You’ll excuse me for a minute or two.  I wish to make sure that my rear windows and doors are locked.  Such gems are a terrible temptation to thieves.”

“True, sir,” bowed Nick.  “Take your time.  Meanwhile I’ll examine the diamonds.  They are splendid! magnificent!”

Nick rightly guessed that Venner wished to consult some of the gang.  He saw that his entering the house without Chick had thrown their plans badly out of gear, as he had designed for it to do.

Venner went into the dark kitchen, rattled a doorknob merely for a bluff, then crossed the hall and entered the library, closing the door behind him.

The room was but dimly lighted, and on the floor stood Dave Kilgore and Matthew Stall, each with a drawn revolver.

“What’s the meaning of this, Rufe?” Kilgore instantly demanded, in passionate whispers.

“How do I know?” Venner hurriedly rejoined, scarce above his breath.  “You heard what he said?”

“Yes, curse him, but I don’t swallow it.”

“Nor I.”

“I can’t see into his game.”

“That’s just my trouble,” cried Venner.  “Can he have discovered that we recognize him?”

“Impossible!  Pylotte is too cunning to have betrayed us in any way.”

This was very true, in fact; but Venner himself had blindly done the betraying.

“It doesn’t matter, Rufe,” Kilgore fiercely added.  “We must get them both.”

“That’s my idea.”

“And it’s all the easier to get them one at a time.”

“Right you are, Dave.”

“Has he discovered Pylotte?”

“Surely not!”

“Go back there, then,” hissed Kilgore.  “Learn what his game is, if you can.  Force him to show his hand.”

“Leave that to me.”

“Waste no time, however, and on no pretext let him leave the house to return to the carriage.”