The detective confronted the pair with his threatening revolver.
“Not a word,” he said. “Come! We want you, Hughart.”
“What for?” demanded the miner.
“You’ll learn that in time,” was the reply.
“And if I refuse to go?”
“Then you will be taken by force.”
Then Nick scented danger. He saw the eyes of the pair travel past him and fix themselves on the door leading to the hall.
It is an old trick to place a person off guard, but this looked real to the detective. The terror in Hughart’s eyes was not simulated.
Without lowering his weapon, Nick turned about. He was too late. As he did so, a noose fell over his shoulders.