With Links of Steel | Page 7

slightly pock-marked--"
"Ah, I thought so!" Nick curtly interrupted. "That's quite sufficient, Mr. Garside."
"What do you mean, Carter?" quickly demanded Venner. "Do you already recognize these criminals?"
"I recognize their work."
"And the men?"
"I've them in mind from the outset."
"Impossible!"
"Not so, Mr. Venner," Nick now declared, with emphasis. "Without a shadow of doubt, sir, you have been victimized by the notorious Kilgore diamond gang, a trio of the shrewdest and most daring scoundrels that ever stood in leather."
"You amaze me."
"Do I?" inquired Nick, smiling softly. "Well, sir, if I were to tell you the history of these rascals, you would be more than amazed--you would be astounded. No crime is too desperate, no knavery too hazardous, no villainy too despicable, for them to attempt, and too often successfully execute. They have perpetrated their crimes over two continents, and are known to the police the world over."
"That is not very complimentary to the police," said Venner, dryly. "I marvel that such distinguished scoundrels are still at large."
"A fact which stamps them no ordinary criminals," replied Nick, pointedly. "Nor are they, sir."
"What do you know of them, Detective Carter?"
"David Kilgore, the chief of the gang, is one of the shrewdest and most daring of knaves, a man of splendid education, polished manners and broad experience. He possesses nerves of steel, the cunning of a fox, and would not shrink even from murder, if his designs required it. Yet he invariably covers his tracks so cleverly, or so quickly vanishes when hard pressed, that thus far he has successfully eluded the police. That's David Kilgore, sir."
"And what of his associates?" inquired Venner. "I think you spoke of a trio."
"His confederates are scamps of the same sort, and nearly his equal in craft and daring," replied Nick. "Perry Dalton is one--the smooth, pock-marked rascal whom you, Mr. Garside, had the pleasure of meeting this morning. He is nicknamed Spotty Dalton, because of his slight disfigurement."
"And the other?"
"Is a man named Matthew Stall, more commonly called Matt Stall. He is a Western man, a graduate of a California university, and is an expert electrician. Oh, I know all about them," laughed Nick, "although this is the first time I have been up against them personally. I am rather glad to discover that they are here in New York."
"Why so, Detective Carter?" Venner carelessly inquired, with a subtle gleam in the depths of his dark eyes.
"Because I have long wanted to match my talents against those of Dave Kilgore and his rascally push," declared Nick, with grim austerity. "The last I knew of them they were in Amsterdam, Holland, where some of the finest work in diamond cutting is done, as you doubtless know."
"Indeed, yes."
"They probably had to jump that country for obvious reasons, and very likely the European continent," added Nick. "They have long avoided New York, and the fact that they are now here is significant of--well, well, we shall see! That's all, gentlemen!"
"But what do you intend doing about this case?" demanded Venner, as Nick abruptly rose to go.
"All that can be done, sir," the famous detective bluntly rejoined. "I accept the case, Mr. Venner, and will do my best with it. When I have anything to report, you shall hear from me."
"But--"
"There really is nothing more to be said, gentlemen, and the sooner I get to work the better," Nick gravely interposed.
"But will you advise me of any steps that you may take?" persisted Venner, briefly detaining him by the arm.
"Very probably," nodded Nick, though really he probably would do nothing of the kind. "And now good-day, gentlemen. If reporters call upon you, you may give them all of the facts, and state that Nick Carter is at work on the case. I want this Kilgore diamond gang to know at the outset that I am after them--and fully resolved to land them where they belong."
"Behind prison bars, eh?" inquired Venner, with an odd smile.
"Yes, sir! Behind prison bars!" declared Nick, forcibly. "Again, gentlemen, good-day. You will hear from me later."
Mr. Rufus Venner, with his partner at his elbow, stood in the office door and silently watched the two celebrated detectives as they strode quickly through the elegant store, from which they presently vanished into Fifth Avenue.
There was a smile of subtle cunning, combined with cruel and malicious determination, on Venner's dark face and he muttered under his breath, as the store door closed upon Nick's imposing figure:
"Hear from you later, eh? Very good. Very good, indeed, Mr. Detective Carter! Hear from you again--that is precisely what I want! Early and often, Detective Carter; early and often, if you please! It is precisely for what the little robbery of this April morning was invented!"
"But was it necessary--was it really necessary, Rufus?" whispered Garside, who alone had overheard, and whose paler face and tremulous figure betrayed