"What's this!" he at once exclaimed, starting. "Where is your master?
You did not come here alone!"
"No, not alone," replied Nick, entering the hall. "Pandu Singe waits in
the carriage."
"Waits in the carriage! For what?"
"He fears the storm may break."
"Fears the storm!" exclaimed Venner, with a blaze of suspicion leaping
up in his dark eyes. "Surely, then, he will not remain out there."
"You don't understand," coolly answered Nick, quickly sizing up
everything in view.
"Don't understand?"
"Pandu Singe thinks of returning home before the storm shall break. He
has first sent me in to see the diamonds, as I know just what he wants.
If I think well of them, I am to return to the carriage and bring him in
to see them."
"Oh, that's it, eh?" cried Venner, with unabated misgivings.
"Am I to see the stones?" demanded Nick. "Pandu Singe will not care to
wait long."
"Yes, yes," replied Venner, as perplexed as Dalton by Nick's unexpected
move. "Come out this way, where I have them ready to show you."
Nick bowed and followed him through the hall, and a glance into the two
front rooms, both of which were well lighted, told him they were vacant.
Nick knew that he was entering a trap, however, and possibly carried
his life in his hand.
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