ieve, by Jove! that you have hit the nail on the
head."

"If I have," rejoined Nick, grimly, "we'll drive the nail home a little
later, and home to stay."

"That we will."

"There remains one other feature of the case," added Nick, "and,
starting from that, we will begin work upon the affair this very night."

"You refer to that Spanish dancer, Cervera?"

"Precisely."

"And the fact that she requested Venner to call at her house this
morning?"

"Exactly," nodded Nick. "She fixed the hour, mind you, probably knowing
that Venner would comply with her request. Hence there exists a
possibility that she designed to get him away from his store at just
that time, in order that the robbery could be successfully executed."

"In which case, Nick, we necessarily must figure her in with the Kilgore
gang, despite Venner's declaration of her honesty."

"Certainly we must, Chick, in case her note to Venner was written for
the purpose mentioned," nodded Nick. "Of that, however, we have no
positive evidence. It may have been purely accidental that her note was
sent to-day, and mentioned the very hour when the theft was committed.
Obviously, in that case, the thief outside was waiting for some
opportunity when Venner should be away from his store. Cervera would
then be out of the affair, as far as any criminal intent is concerned."

"Very probably."

"So there you are!" exclaimed Nick, with another glance at the clock.
"Our half hour is up. You now have my measure of the case, and next we
will get down to business. We will drop this fishy-looking robbery for
the present, Chick, and first of all make a move to learn something
about Senora Cervera, and her relations with Rufus Venner."

"A good scheme, Nick, and I'm with you."

"Have you been at the theater?"

"Yes, and fixed things with Busby."

"You can get in upon the stage to-night?"

"Sure thing, as I told you," laughed Chick. "Busby is the boss scene
shifter there, and he consented to work me in as a stage hand."

"Ah! very good."

"I have got to make up for the part, however, and must soon be about it.
I am due there at half-past seven."

"Get at it, then," said Nick, rising. "See what you can learn about
Cervera, and what you make of her from observation. In case Venner is
about there, keep your ears alert, so that you can overhear."

"You trust me for that, Nick," cried Chick, laughing.

"Meantime, Chick, I'll have a look at the show from the front," add