my diamond is a little harder and sharper
than your own. Take my advice, and sit where you are."

Curly and Chick had both been absorbed spectators and listeners to this
little scene between the detective and Black Madge.

Chick had, of course, made himself ready at any instant to act, no
matter what sort of action might be required.

But Curly was distinctly in a quandary. He knew that it was no fault of
Nick's that the discovery had been made, and he also knew that if she
was forced to keep silent the identity of Nick Carter would not be
discovered by the others present.

If the thing should come to a row, every instinct of Curly's life and
profession would force him to take the side of the underworld as against
Nick Carter, and his impulse would be that way, too. But his strongest
desire at that moment was to prevent an exposure at any cost. It was for
this reason that he now intervened.

"Madge," he said, "listen to me for a minute."

"Hello, Curly," she said, turning her head lazily toward him, "it isn't
necessary for you to butt in on this affair."

"I am going to butt in, Madge, just the same. Now, listen to me."

"Go on, then."

"You know where I stand, Madge, and there ain't no reason why I should
explain how all this came about; or, if you think there is, there ain't
going to be any explanation offered anyhow, but the point about it is
this: It wouldn't be healthy for you, nor for any of us, if you should
yell out a certain name in this present community, and I want to tell
you right now that I won't stand for your doing it. It's up to you to
keep still, Madge, and mind your own business, for while I should be
with the boys as against Nick Carter to the bitter end, if it actually
came to a fight, at the same time I'd blame you for the fight, and
although you're a woman you would be the first one I'd look for out of
this bunch. Now, I've spoken my piece, and you can go on with yours."

This was a development which Madge had not anticipated, but Curly had
spoken so plainly to the point, and his premises were so well taken and
so logical from his standpoint, that she could offer no objection.

If she could have left the table for a moment; if she could have had
time to think, or if she could have secured an opportunity to exchange
half a dozen sentences with any one of the members of her Band of
Hatred, it would have been different, and she might have planned for the
overthrow of the detective.

As