The detective stepped forward, loosening his grasp upon Nan’s arm.
For just an instant he peered into the face of Jimmy Duryea, and then he acted.
His right fist shot forward, and it struck Jimmy squarely upon the jaw; and Jimmy went down like a clod of earth that is thrown from a shovel.
Some of the women there cried out. The men uttered various exclamations, and several of them rushed forward at once. There was a commotion outside, in the hall, and the local constable, with two or three men to assist him, rushed into the room. Evidently they had been brought there for the occasion by Jimmy Duryea.
But they halted at the aspect of Nick Carter, who stood facing them, directly over the figure of the prostrate man on the floor.
CHAPTER XI.
THE DIAMOND NECKLACE.
“Stand back, all of you!” said Nick Carter, facing them all. “This man on the floor is my prisoner, and the one among you who attempts to interfere with me now will be sorry.”
The constable and his assistants halted; they hesitated; and then Mr. Remsen pressed forward toward Nick.