Andrews was waiting for us in his solidly furnished office.  Outside I noted a couple of husky men, who seemed to be waiting for orders from their chief.

From the manner in which the vice-president greeted us it was evident that he was keenly interested in what Kennedy was about to do.  “So you think Morowitch’s deal was a deal to purchase the secret of diamond-making?” he mused.

“I feel sure of it,” replied Craig.  “I felt sure of it the moment I looked up Poissan and found that he was a manufacturer of electric furnaces.  Don’t you remember the famous Lemoine case in London and Paris?”

“Yes, but Lemoine was a fakir of the first water;” said Andrews.  “Do you think this man is, too?”

“That’s what I’m going to find out to-night before I take another step,” said Craig.  “Of course there can be no doubt that by proper use the electric furnace will make small, almost microscopic diamonds.  It is not unreasonable to suppose that some day someone will be able to make large diamonds synthetically by the same process.”

“Maybe this man has done it,” agreed Andrews.  “Who knows?  I’ll wager that if he has and that if Morowitch had bought an interest in his process Kahan knew of it.  He’s a sharp one.  And Mrs. Morowitch doesn’t let grass grow under her feet, when it comes to seeing the main chance as to money.  Now just supposing Mr. Morowitch had bought an interest in a secret like that and supposing Kahan was in love with Mrs. Morowitch and that they—­”

“Let us suppose nothing, Mr. Andrews,” interrupted Kennedy.  “At least not yet.  Let me see; it is now ten minutes after eight.  Poissan’s place is only a few blocks from here.  I’d like to get there a few minutes early.  Let’s start.”

As we left the office, Andrews signalled to the two men outside, and they quietly followed a few feet in the rear, but without seeming to be with us.

Poissan’s laboratory was at the top of a sort of loft building a dozen stories or so high.  It was a peculiar building, with several entrances besides a freight elevator at the rear and fire-escapes that led to adjoining lower roofs.

We stopped around the corner in the shadow, and Kennedy and Andrews talked earnestly.  As near as I could make out Kennedy was insisting that it would be best for Andrews and his men not to enter the building at all, but wait down-stairs while he and I went up.  At last the arrangement was agreed on.

“Here,” said Kennedy, undoing a package he had carried, “is a little electric bell with a couple of fresh dry batteries attached to it, and wires that will reach at least four hundred feet.  You and the men wait in the shadow here by this side entrance for five minutes after Jameson and I go up.  Then you must engage the night watchman in some way.  While he is away you will find two wires dangling down the elevator shaft.  Attach them to these wires from the bell and the batteries—­these two—­you know how to do that.  The wires will be hanging in the third shaft—­only one elevator is running at night, the first.  The moment you hear the bell begin to ring; jump into the elevator and come up to the twelfth floor—­we’ll need you.”