he then growled. "Get up, I say!"

Still groaning, and incoherently muttering, Nick permitted himself to be
raised to his feet, and Stall then supported him and urged him out
through the open doorway and into the adjoining room.

In his red wig and croppy head, together with his rough attire and dazed
aspect, Nick certainly presented a wretched appearance. He blinked
confusedly, glanced down at his bound wrists, yet at the same time took
in every feature of the brightly lighted room.

It plainly was the library of the house, and both Rufus Venner and
Cervera were seated near a handsome center table. Upon it lay most of
the woman's jewels and diamonds, evidently lately removed, and
presenting in the rays of light from the chandelier above a dazzling
temptation to such a fellow as Nick then appeared to be.

In an easy-chair, near the wall, sat the man called Dave, at the time
Nick was thought to be dead outside. Now, in the bright light of the
room, Nick instantly recognized him to be David Kilgore, despite a heavy
disguise which the criminal obviously believed to be impenetrable.

Nick gave no sign of the recognition, however, being content to await
developments, and to shape his own course accordingly.

From that moment, however, the name of neither criminal was once
mentioned; and Nick was compelled to infer that Venner might indeed be
entirely ignorant of their true identity and knavish character.

The eyes of all were upon the detective, as he stood swaying slightly
on the floor; and Cervera sharply demanded, with a threatening frown:

"Well, you vile miscreant, what can you say for yourself?"

"Me?" queried Nick, pretending to pull himself together. "Nothing at
all."

"I guess that's right."

"What should I say? Why have you got me here, and tied up in this
fashion?"

"You'll soon find out," cried Cervera, with vicious asperity. "What were
you doing out back of my house?"

"Nothing much," Nick evasively growled, waiting to learn which way the
cat was about to jump.

"Nothing much!" sneered Cervera. "You'll find that will not go down with
us."

"I was looking for a chance to sleep in your stable," muttered Nick.

"You lie, you dog!" cried Kilgore, fiercely. "You were at the back
window."

"Was I?"

"And your game was to rob me of my jewels," Cervera angrily added, with
her eyes emitting a gleam as fiery as the blazing gems at which she
pointed. "That was your game, you renegade!"

"Do you th