Part 35 (2/2)
”The great Pandu Singe would consider no other.”
”Alas, then, this is most unfortunate!” Venner now exclaimed, glancing about the store. ”You see that we are making some repairs here, in the walls of our store and vault.”
”That is plain,” bowed Nick. ”But what has that to do with the diamonds?”
”Only this,” replied Venner, with feigned regret. ”During these repairs I have removed all of my most valuable diamonds to a vault in my private residence.”
”For safer keeping?”
”Exactly.”
”I will explain to Pandu Singe.”
”Wait a moment,” Venner quickly interposed. ”Tell him, also, that I have at my residence the very gems he desires, six magnificent diamonds, precisely alike in weight, purity and cutting. They cannot be equaled in New York City, if in the entire country.”
”Are they fit for an empress?”
”They are fit for a G.o.ddess.”
”Ah! that will please Pandu Singe.”
”Tell him, also, that he can purchase them at a marvelously low price,”
cried Venner. ”Now, if Pandu Singe will come to my house, say early this evening, he may see the diamonds and examine them at his leisure. Tell him that, Mr. Interpreter, and say that I will send my carriage for him immediately after dinner. Say, too, that he may then see the diamonds both by daylight and lamplight, and so observe all the variety of their magnificent fire. Really, this will be greatly to the advantage of Pandu Singe.”
Nick gravely heard him to a finish, and with never a change of countenance.
Yet, like a flash, one of those marvelous intuitions characteristic of this great detective, Nick Carter had suddenly grasped the whole truth.
That conflict of the previous night, the flight of three of the diamond gang, Pylotte left comparatively uninjured in the road, his subsequent disclosures, his extensive knowledge of the diamond-making art, the hints he had imparted, and now this manifest eagerness of Venner to lure his ostensible customers to his suburban house--all combined to reveal to Nick's keen mind the shrewd game by which Kilgore was hoping to entrap him.
Nick now knew that Venner recognized both Chick and himself, and was serving only the Kilgore gang.
Yet Nick bowed without the slightest self-betrayal, and said, gravely:
”I will explain the situation to Pandu Singe.”
For several minutes the two detectives maintained their curious game of talk.
Then Nick, who had speedily planned his own counter-move, again turned to Rufus Venner.
”The great Pandu Singe will do what you suggest,” said he. ”He wishes to see the diamonds, and will be pleased to come to your house.”
Venner had felt sure of this to start with, though he little dreamed that Nick had guessed the truth, and knew that he was recognized.
”Let it be to-day, then,” said he, quickly.
”At your own pleasure,” bowed Nick.
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