With Links of Steel, Or, The Peril of the Unknown

e in a more energetic fashion," said Nick Carter, immediately after Chick's departure.

y," replied Venner, rather dryly. "H

ng man named Spaulding

out on b

old accounts on our books, and just before I went uptown I sent Spaulding

s notebook. "Now, Mr. Venner, who among your employees knew you thought of buying thi

," was the

u sure

re being nothing definite about it before I saw Se?ora Cervera this mo

so. He arose and took from Venner's desk a bloc

ture of your firm, in the handwriting o

r?" demanded Ve

assistant will presently bring from Mr. Hafferman," Nick c

ok a pen and signed the firm

rs, Mr.

rter?" queried Garside,

ou pl

me resentment, "you do not susp

the habit of discussing my suspicions. That I should

uld sa

ue this investigation, gentlemen, I must do it in my own way. Either

rm's signature below that of his partner. Nick tore the

pon this paper. Don't overlook one of them, not one, from your bookkeeper down to your office boy. If Spaulding

sented the idea that any of his clerks could have been guilty of co-operation with the criminals who had committed the robbery tha

ed, silently sizing up t

ppearance again, bringing with him the forged order which had been left at H

oyden?" he inq

ke with him,"

abou

ks all

gnatures of Hafferm

e on thi

hose of your employees, Mr.

all of

into his pocket. "Now, Chick, what of the man who

nd asked that the diamonds

ort of

he and wavy hair," said Chick, glibly.

nt nod. "Now, Mr. Garside, describe the

ymo

the name h

ellow, of about thirty years, with a s

tly interrupted. "That's qui

kly demanded Venner. "Do you alr

nize the

the

n mind from

ossi

doubt, sir, you have been victimized by the notorious Kilgore diamond gang, a

amaze

d-you would be astounded. No crime is too desperate, no knavery too hazardous, no villainy too despicable, for them to attempt, and

e," said Venner, dryly. "I marvel that such

dinary criminals," replied Nick

ow of them, Det

erience. He possesses nerves of steel, the cunning of a fox, and would not shrink even from murder, if his designs required it. Yet he invariably cov

es?" inquired Venner. "I

d Nick. "Perry Dalton is one-the smooth, pock-marked rascal whom you, Mr. Garside, had the pleas

the o

a university, and is an expert electrician. Oh, I know all about them," laughed Nick, "although this is the fi

carelessly inquired, with a subtle

ly push," declared Nick, with grim austerity. "The last I knew of them they were in Amsterda

eed,

ropean continent," added Nick. "They have long avoided New York, and the fact that

bout this case?" demanded Venne

oined. "I accept the case, Mr. Venner, and will do my best wi

ut

d, gentlemen, and the sooner I get to w

that you may take?" persisted Venne

reporters call upon you, you may give them all of the facts, and state that Nick Carter is at work on the case. I want

eh?" inquired Venne

ed Nick, forcibly. "Again, gentlemen,

d silently watched the two celebrated detectives as they strode quickly thro

cious determination, on Venner's dark face and he muttered under

again-that is precisely what I want! Early and often, Detective Carter; early and often, if

and tremulous figure betrayed fears which his swarthy senior partner would have scorned to feel. "This Carter is a most

m with a half-smother

f course it was necessary! Otherwise, I should not have adopted the ruse. We are about to attempt a big game-an infernally big gam

o doubt of

try-and the greatest will be none too clever, nor too expensive,

uld sa

rter for help-are we not also already in his good graces? Have we not insured his confidence in us by this little move of to-day? Will he not reveal himself an

uch a crafty

n Spotty Dalton, or more determined than anyone of the Kilgore gang? Not by a long chalk, Philip,

tterly unparalleled, swindle. The like of it was never, never known. There should be millions in it. Yes, yes,

th much less acrimony. "So be a man always, Philip, and never a flunky. You have played your part a

eturned, and he smiled confi

een these two indicated one fact-that Detective Nick Cart