The capture was safely effected, but the great detective had had an exciting three minutes.
Patsy had had no trouble at all in getting the darbies on Gillman, and Chick had not had enough to speak of in making the capture of Starlick.
Starlick showed fight and tried to run around the Obelisk, an empty handcuff dangling from his right wrist.
Chick caught him in two leaps, threw him down, and put on the other bracelet.
The manacles had a quieting effect, and Starlick undertook the rôle of an “innocent bystander.”
“What does this mean?” he cried, angrily.
“If you don’t know you’ll find out quick enough,” replied Chick.
“It’s an outrage, an infernal outrage. Officer,” he turned to the man who accompanied Nick and Ramsay, “I demand that you have these handcuffs taken off my wrists.”
“Keep still!” exclaimed the officer, sharply. “Nick Carter knows well enough what he’s about.”
Starlick toned down, the very name of Nick Carter having a quieting effect.