“Well, Mr. Nick Carter!”
Nick sprang back, but before he could draw a weapon he found himself looking into the muzzle of a loaded revolver. The woman certainly had the drop on him! Then a young man came from an inner room and took the revolver while the woman went through the form of securing Nick’s wrists. The detective did not resist. He knew that he could release himself from his bonds at any time. They were not of the kind used by the chief of the Great Diamond Syndicate.
This accomplished, the woman stepped back and looked the detective over contemptuously.
“You thought I wouldn’t recognize you?” she asked.
“I certainly did,” was the reply. “How did you account for my wearing Mantelle’s jewelry?”
“I imagined what had taken place in room fourteen. You are a man of action, Mr. Carter, but you have your failings. You neglected to give the sign when we met in the hall.”
“I was wondering if there were signs and grips,” said Nick. “Rather a clever lot of thieves and murderers.”
“Don’t become coarse,” said the woman. “Of course we have signs and grips.”
Then Nick recalled a sign Mantelle had made at the café when the waiters came to the private room. It was nothing more than dropping the left hand straight at the side and pointing down with the index finger, the others being closed.