“Stop right there, Deland,” Madison interrupted, leaning forward to bang the desk with his fist. “There will be no settlement between you fellows and me. As I told Cora Cavendish two hours ago, you will not get a copper from me.”
“We won’t, eh?”
Deland’s hand went to his hip pocket.
“Not one copper!” Madison thundered. “You say I have only one of two courses. I say, however, that I have a third course, and that’s the course I will take. There is only one way for me to settle this infamous business, and that was shown me by this man on the floor. I will confess the truth, take my medicine for what I have done, and accomplish one other thing—that of sending you miscreants to the fate you deserve! That’s the way I’ll settle with you—and the only way![Pg 37]”
It would be hard to say what might have followed, but for one startling and utterly unexpected incident.
Nick Carter sat straight up on the floor and shouted:
“Good for you, Madison! Stick to that and I’ll pull you out! Against any man but Gordon—I’d give you my vote!”
Nick had more than one reason for this sudden outbreak. From where he was lying on the floor, he could see through the alcove and into the dimly lighted conservatory.
He could see Chick Carter and Patsy Garvan crouching there, each with revolvers drawn.
Their timely arrival was not due to anything extraordinary. Patsy had trailed Cora Cavendish to an East Side saloon, and had seen her meet Flynn and give him Deland’s instructions. Patsy then had followed Flynn, and later Daggett and Tobey, learning positively in the meantime that they were to join Deland in Madison’s residence. Seizing an opportunity to telephone home, also, Patsy found that Chick had returned, and quick arrangements were made to meet on the Madison place. They had done so just in time to see the three crooks enter the conservatory—whither they soon stealthily followed them.