With Links of Steel | Page 4

just as the famous
New York detective was about preparing for lunch, and quickly stated
his mission, disclosing the superficial features of the crime.
Nick Carter habitually looked below the surface of things, however,
and in trifles he invariably discovered more than the ordinary man.

Before Maynard had fairly outlined the case Nick keenly discerned that
the robbery could not have been committed by any common criminals,
and he at once decided not only that he would take the case, but also
that it gave promise of something far more startling than then appeared
aboveboard.
Yet even Nick's keen discernment utterly failed, at this early stage of
the affair, to anticipate its actual magnitude and tragic possibilities.
Having consented to accompany Maynard to the scene of the crime,
Nick turned to Chick Carter, his reliable chief assistant, who also had
been an attentive listener to Maynard's disclosures.
"You had better come with me, Chick," said he. "This affair has rather
a bad look, and in case quick work is imperative, I may need your
assistance."
"Go with you it is, Nick," Chick heartily cried, hastening to put on his
coat and hat.
"From the circumstances disclosed by Maynard, however," added Nick,
"I am inclined to think that these rats have very carefully covered their
tracks, and that a still hunt for their trail may prove to be our stunt. Yet
you had better go along with me."
"I'm ready when you are, Nick."
"Very good. Come on, Mr. Maynard. I see you have a carriage at the
door. We will not delay even for lunch, but will snatch a bite later."
Together the three men left the house, and it was precisely one o'clock
when Nick was ushered into the private office of Venner & Co., where
the two members of the firm then were seated, apparently still engaged
in discussing the audacious robbery.
Mr. Rufus Venner, it may be here stated, was a man of about forty
years of age, and was a very well-known man about town. Darkly
handsome, with an erect and imposing figure, an _habitué_ of the best

clubs, a man still unmarried, yet of whom hints were frequently
dropped that he was very popular with the fair sex, whom he was
known to lavishly entertain at times--this was the senior member of the
firm of Venner & Co., and the man who, quickly arose to greet Nick
Carter and Chick when the two detectives entered.
"Your clerk has already given me the main facts of the case, Mr.
Venner, so we will dispense with any rehearsal of them, and get right
down to business," Nick crisply observed, immediately after their
greeting. "There are a few questions I wish to ask you, and concise
replies may expedite matters."
"I will respond as briefly as possible, Mr. Carter," Venner quickly
rejoined, as they took chairs around the office table. "I do not fancy
being robbed in this scurvy fashion, sir, and you may go to any
reasonable expense to discover and arrest the thieves. Now, Detective
Carter, your questions?"
"To begin with," asked Nick, with a steadfast scrutiny of Venner's
darkly attractive face, "what is the value of the stolen diamonds?"
"About four thousand dollars."
"Ten in number, I was told."
"Precisely."
"Are they of uniform value?"
"Nearly so. They are splendid gems, and perfectly matched, and are
worth about four hundred dollars each. I wanted them for a special
purpose, which--"
"Which I will presently arrive at," Nick courteously interposed. "I
understand, Mr. Venner, that you called yesterday at the store of
Thomas Hafferman and made some inquiries about these stones?"
"I did, and also examined them."

"In what part of Hafferman's store were you at the time?"
"In his private office."
"Were any of the clerks present?"
"Not any--Stay! One of the clerks brought in the diamonds to Mr.
Hafferman, but he did not remain. Only Mr. Hafferman himself
remained with me while we discussed the matter."
"Do you know the clerk's name?"
"Boyden, I think, he was called."
"The same who brought the diamonds here this morning," put in Mr.
Garside. "His name is Harry Boyden."
Nick made a note of it in a small book which he drew from his pocket.
"Did you make any deal at that time regarding the diamonds?" he
inquired.
"I only had them reserved for me a day or two, stating that I would
either call again or send an order for them, if I decided to purchase
them," replied Venner.
"Are you quite sure that only Mr. Hafferman heard you make that
statement?"
"Sure only in that the office door was closed, and that he alone was
with me. If there were any eavesdroppers about I did not suspect it."
"Naturally not," smiled Nick. "Now, then, for what special purpose