The bandage already had fallen from Nick’s eyes, and Glidden now removed the gag, enabling Nick to speak and breathe more freely.
Badger seated himself on the top of a barrel a few feet from the detective, regarding him with sinister scrutiny for a moment. He then said curtly:
“You see that we’ve got you, Carter.”
“I have eyes,” Nick replied.
“There is no loophole for you to slip through.”
“I’m not looking for one,” said Nick, with outward indifference. “When I decide to look, Badger, I may find one.”
“Not on your life,” snapped Goulard, approaching. “If I thought that, I’d put a bullet into you on the spot.”
“You are quite capable of it, Goulard.”
“You bet I am, Carter, in your case. If there is one man on earth whom I hate, you’re the man.”
“Better your hatred, Goulard, than your friendship,” Nick said sternly. “Mr. Henry Mantell, your late partner in business, will vouch for that.”