“They would have made good, too, with as much at stake as we have,” snapped Badger.
“That’s right,” Goulard now put in coolly. “There is only one way to settle this business.”
“What way is that—wait!” Badger broke off abruptly. “You come with us, Sadie. Look after the dick, Glidden, and see that he serves us no trick. I’ll find out where we stand. I’ll darn soon find out where we stand.”
Nick could not hear the discussion that ensued in the back room. That it was along lines already indicated, however, which had shaped his own course and brought about his unexpected situation, he had not the slightest doubt.
Ten minutes had passed when the crooks returned, and it at once was obvious to Nick that they had come to[Pg 29] an agreement with Goulard that was satisfactory to all concerned.
The face of the whilom merchant, who had been steadily going to the bad since his financial and social downfall, wore a look of mingled malevolence and exultation that spoke louder than words.
“Now, Carter, my turn has come,” he declared, confronting the detective. “You’ve had your inning, and I’m going to have mine. You did all in your power to down me, but you have accomplished less than what I will hand to you. May the devil get me, body and soul, if I don’t wipe you out of existence.”
“As you did Batty Lang!” snapped Nick, so sharply that Goulard recoiled as if dealt a blow. “Ah, that hits the nail on the head, I see!”
“Little good it will do you to see that,” snarled Goulard, pulling himself together.
“As for the devil getting you,” Nick curtly added; “he’ll get you, Goulard, whatever you do to me.”