"
"They aim to lure us both to Venner's house, and there trap us and do us
up."
"To which latter," said Chick, dryly, "we shall strenuously object."
"Well, rather!" laughed Nick. "Still, I can see nothing in evading this
question or in making a raid upon Venner's house. If the Kilgore gang
are about to lay for us there, it is evident that their diamond plant is
located elsewhere. They would not take chances of failing to down us,
and then having their plant discovered in the house where they slipped
up."
"Surely not," admitted Chick. "Kilgore is too shrewd to take those
chances."
"Undoubtedly."
For several minutes Nick calmly considered the situation, then bluntly
observed:
"Chick, I see but one course for us. We must go up against the game, and
give this gang what rope they want."
"That's just my idea, Nick."
"In no other way can we make sure of nailing the entire gang, and also
locating their plant. Raiding Venner's house would not accomplish it.
Some of the gang might not be there, or possibly escape us, and we might
search in vain for their plant. Then we should have most of our work to
do over again."
"That's right, Nick."
"So we'll take the one sure way, Chick," said Nick, decisively.
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