"
"That so?"
"I have no use for them at present."
"Why is that?"
"My engagement at the theater has closed, and I seldom have occasion to
wear my diamonds. I have placed them all in a safe deposit vault."
"Ah! I see."
"So I have no need for my guardians, Detective Carter, with only myself
here. Nobody would want me personally, you know," she added, with a bold
laugh.
Nick's firm lips drew a little closer.
"On the contrary," said he, pointedly, "somebody does, want you
personally."
"Oh! is that so?" cried Cervera, as if amused.
"Very much so, senora."
"And who does me the honor, pray?"
"I want you," said Nick, bluntly.
"You, Detective Carter! Why, sir, what an idea! I wouldn't have believed
it of you."
"Yet it is true, nevertheless."
"Well, well," repeated Cervera, with a pretty shrug, "I am really glad
to hear you say so. For what do you want me, Detective Carter?"
Not once had Nick's searching gaze left her brazen countenance, and
despite her outward display of badinage, his steadfast and penetrating
eyes were making her secretly uneasy.
"I want you," said Nick, pointedly, "for that ugly 'Jack-in-the-box'
trick which you perpetrated this afternoon.
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