CHAPTER XIX.
MANTELLE AT BAY.
“It strikes me,” said Chick, as the detectives left the Townsend home, “that the Great Diamond Syndicate is giving us the fight of our lives.”
“It appears to be all that the chief declared it to be,” said Nick, “a powerful organization, officered by cunning scoundrels.”
“I think this man Mantelle knows something about the syndicate.”
“We have no proof, yet I have been thinking that same thing,” replied Nick, “and that is why I went to the Townsend home, to see if it were possible to get a line on the fellow. I did not succeed very well, but I have another plan in my mind.”
“Hunt him up and work the third degree?” asked Chick.
“Exactly,” replied the chief. “If I can get up an argument with him, or place him under accusation, I can form an estimate that will guide me.”
“There might be a little physical exertion connected with an interview in which he was accused of complicity in the murder,” said Chick, “and that would help some. I am feeling in the need of a thumping.”
“That may come soon enough,” replied Nick.