"
"That's the stuff."
"And then we'll plan to get the other. Away with you!"
These forcible measures were precisely what Nick had felt sure would be
adopted by the gang, and were the very steps to which he had so shrewdly
planned to force them.
Venner darted softly across the hall and returned to the dining room.
Nick was still examining the diamonds.
He stood near the table, at a point midway between the two open doors.
He had selected this position for a very good reason. He was inviting
capture and removal, which he knew must be preceded by an assault; and
he therefore laid himself open from either side, aiming to be put down
and out with as little violence as possible.
He wanted all his resources for what he knew was very likely to follow.
Nick was quite as anxious as the gang to force matters, moreover; for at
the end of ten minutes, in case he did not return to the carriage, Chick
was to begin getting in his work.
Therefore the climax came quickly.
Six minutes had already passed.
"Well, sir, what do you think of them?" cried Venner, as he returned to
the room.
"The diamonds?" queried Nick, tossing several of them back upon the
table.
"Certainly.
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