ck, what say you to that?" demanded Nick, as they were
returning to the house of the snake charmer.

Chick laughed grimly.

"I say that we are now up against it."

"Right! There's a mighty wicked crisis near at hand."

"No doubt of it, Nick. Venner knew us all right."

"But he does not suspect that we are aware that he knew us, and in that
at least we have the best of him."

"We'll turn it to a good account, too."

"Do you see the game this Kilgore gang is playing?"

"Plainly, Nick."

"They aim to lure us both to Venner's house, and there trap us and do us
up."

"To which latter," said Chick, dryly, "we shall strenuously object."

"Well, rather!" laughed Nick. "Still, I can see nothing in evading this
question or in making a raid upon Venner's house. If the Kilgore gang
are about to lay for us there, it is evident that their diamond plant is
located elsewhere. They would not take chances of failing to down us,
and then having their plant discovered in the house where they slipped
up."

"Surely not," admitted Chick. "Kilgore is too shrewd to take those
chances."

"Undoubtedly."

For several minutes Nick calmly considered the situation, then bluntly
observed:

"Chick, I see but one course for us. We must go up against the game, and
give this gang what rope they want."

"That's just my idea, Nick."

"In no other way can we make sure of nailing the entire gang, and also
locating their plant. Raiding Venner's house would not accomplish it.
Some of the gang might not be there, or possibly escape us, and we might
search in vain for their plant. Then we should have most of our work to
do over again."

"That's right, Nick."

"So we'll take the one sure way, Chick," said Nick, decisively. "We'll
let this gang continue to think they are fooling us, and go up against
them till we get the whole truth."

"That's good enough for me, Nick," nodded Chick. "I'm with you."

"It may prove to be a desperate game, but we'll take our chances. Before
night I'll have laid such plans as will best serve us, and possibly
circumvent these scoundrels. Here we are at the house of Pandu Singe."

Nick dismissed their carriage, and entered the dwelling, where they
decided to remain until evening. Meantime Nick perfected his plans and
discussed them with Chick.

Then a wire was sent to Patsy, the detective's younger assistant, with
careful instructions.

Seven o'clock came, then half-past seven, but no sign of Venner's
c