“Certainly.”

“Are any of the diamonds sold yet?”

“Not that I know.  But they will be.”

“When?”

“To-day.”

“He has found a purchaser for the lot?”

“Exactly.  They are to meet in the Astor House to-day at twelve and end the sale.”

Old King Brady glanced hastily at his watch.

It was then half-past eleven and to reach the Astor House would take three-quarters of an hour!

CHAPTER XVI.

THE CAPTURE OF LA CROIX.

Leaving the prisoner’s cell, the Bradys hastened from the police station and hastily getting aboard a City Hall train on the elevated road, they went downtown.

“As it takes about three-quarters of an hour to get down to the bridge,” said Harry, in anxious tones, “I’m afraid we will reach the Astor House too late to prevent the consummation of that diamond sale.”

“Well, that depends upon how long it is going to take La Croix and his customer to arrive at a bargain,” said Old King Brady, quietly.

He was not very nervous over the matter.

Taking a chew of plug tobacco, he settled back comfortably in his seat, drew a newspaper from his pocket and began to read the news.

Harry watched him restlessly.

The boy was very impatient.

“I can’t understand how you can take it so cool,” he muttered.

“What’s the good of fuming and fretting?  It isn’t going to hurry us, is it?”

“No.  But La Croix may beat us.”

“Keep cool.  The more you worry, the warmer you’ll get.”

That ride downtown was torture to Young King Brady, and there wasn’t a minute he did not have his watch in his hand and kept counting the minutes as they slipped by.

It was with a deep sense of relief that he saw the train stop at the bridge and he was the first one off the cars.

“Quarter past twelve,” he growled, feverishly, “and it will take us five or ten minutes longer to reach the hotel.”

“Have patience—­” began Old King Brady.

“Can’t do it.  Let’s run, or I’ll get wild!”

They made rapid time down Park Row and crossing past the post-office, they hastened into the hotel.

Going to the desk, they asked the clerk: 

“Is Mr. Savoy here?”

“Yes.  Room 76.  Name, please.”

“He’s a friend.  We wish to surprise him.  Is he in?”

“Oh, yes.  I’ll send a boy up with you.”

“Anyone call on him to-day?”

“Not a soul.”

“Not a soul?” blankly asked Harry.

“Except yourselves,” laughed the clerk.

Old King Brady burst into a hearty peal of laughter, but not at what the clerk said, for he was laughing at Harry for being so impatient.

The boy drew a deep breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“Thank fortune, we’re in time!” he muttered.