Cervera was peering down from the lighted passage three stories above
him, Nick having made a clean drop into the cellar of the imposing
residence.
That this entire contrivance was the work of the Kilgore gang, devised
while they masqueraded at Cervera's house, Nick was thoroughly
convinced.
"Hello!" Cervera suddenly cried, still gazing down into the darkness
enveloping Nick. "Are you there, Mr. Carter?"
Nick stared up at her, but made no answer.
At the same time he felt quietly over the walls of the well, in the hope
of finding some way of escape.
It riled him not a little, the thought of having been so deftly caught
in a trap, almost entirely owing to his having been overconfident, an
assurance only very natural under the circumstances.
The possibility that this woman might now elude him for a time was also
a thorn in Nick's mind.
"_Caramba!_" cried Cervera, with a mocking laugh. "Aren't you going to
speak?"
Still no answer.
"Have you lost your tongue, Detective Carter? If you don't speak out,
Mr. Smart Fellow, I shall drop something down that will light you up. I
want a look at you, to know whether you're afoot or on horseback."
Nick remained in perfect silence.
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