“Dugan brought us in his launch.”
“Where is he?”
“He remained to make her fast. Ah, here he comes, now.”
All of this enlightening conversation was plainly heard by the listening detective. Mingled with the voices of the others, he occasionally heard those of Morley and Conroy, also the heavy tread of Dugan when he strode into the building, and Nick then knew that the entire gang was gathered there.
“So that is how it was accomplished,” he said to himself, when a momentary lull in the conversation followed Margate’s last remark. “That’s why the milk is in the coconut. But don’t get gay too quickly, you rascals, for you may throw a shoe.”
Nick’s train of thought was broken by another question from Margate.
“Have you seen him since you downed him, or heard from him?” he asked, with a more malicious ring in his voice.
“Not yet, nor a sound from below,” Ardley informed him, with a growl.
“The fall may have broken his neck,” cried Margate. “I hope it did. That would save us the trouble. Open the peek, Ardley. Let me have a look at him.”
Nick reached for his revolver. Before he could draw it, however, the quick click of a metal spring fell upon his ears, and light entered his dismal confinement through a square hole in the floor, which was nearly four feet above his head.[Pg 30]