"Give up?" he asked.
"Yes," came in a labored, husky voice. "I'm a quitter, all right."
CHAPTER VI.
THE MYSTERY OF ROOM M.
Not until the detective had tied Slack's hands, removed his weapons, a pistol and knife, and propped him against the wall, did he move away. After he had bathed his ankle with water found in the kitchen and satisfied himself that the sprain was not a bad one, Nick opened his batteries on his prisoner.
"Slack," he said, more in sorrow than in anger, "this is a strange part for you to play. What has come over you? In San Francisco you were an honest man, a defender of law and order."
"Every man for himself! that's my motto," replied Slack sullenly.
"That is dodging the question. What have I ever done to you, that you should jump me?"
"You have stuck your nose into my concerns, that's what you have done," was Slack's savage outburst.
Nick looked at the man curiously.