Both called upon Nick a
day or two later, and expressed their gratitude and affection in terms
which here need no recital. Incidentally it may be added that they were
married, as planned, the following summer.
How strangely the circumstances and experiences of life are knit and
bound together. But for the vicious crime of a jealous woman, Nick might
have labored long, and possibly vainly, to run down the Kilgore gang and
their extraordinary criminal project, in which Cervera so strongly
figured. It was as Nick said, the two crimes seemed bound together as if
with links of steel.
In the trial which preceded the conviction and punishment of the three
living members of the gang, Nick learned all of the facts of the case.
Venner & Co., it appeared, were on their last legs, and went into the
game to square themselves, the design being to market vast quantities of
the artificial diamonds. With this project in view, Venner had purchased
the house at the rear of his own, under the name of Dr. Magruder, and
there had established the plant. How well the scheme would have
succeeded, but for Nick Carter, will never be known.
At all events, in the stock of Venner & Co. were found numerous stones
which only the most proficient experts could prove to be artificial; and
even to this day it is intimated that, among the bejeweled women of New
York there are some unconsciously wearing the manufactured diamonds of
Jean Pylotte.
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