The astonishment of the two Hindoos, and their delight as they beheld
the progressive changes so artistically made, could scarcely find
expression in words.
At the end of an hour, when the two detectives stood robed in their
strange Indian attire, one would readily have declared that four genuine
Hindoos, rather than two, occupied the apartment.
Having thus paved the way to his next move, Nick easily prevailed upon
the Hindoos to remain indoors for a day or two, lest the deception
should be discovered and his designs perverted.
He and Chick then returned to their waiting carriage, and half an hour
later it drew up at the Fifth Avenue store of Venner & Co.
Chick alighted and led the way in.
In order that he might do most of the talking, and shape his course by
whatever might occur, Nick had decided to personate the interpreter.
Yet both detectives had carefully noticed the peculiar characteristics
of the Hindoo tongue, and believed that they could imitate it so
cleverly as to prevent detection.
Several facts, which Nick then had no way of knowing, however, operated
very quickly to betray him and the crafty ruse he had adopted, when
Venner personally met them at the store door.
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