The door gave way under the pressure of Nick’s foot, and a faint light crept into the shaft. There was a light at the front of the first basement, and men were there engaged in unpacking boxes.
It was no easy matter for Nick to change his position so as to pass through the doorway, but he succeeded at last, and stood in the shadows cast by the flaring gas jet in front. He knew that those at work could not see him, so he moved about with considerable confidence.
The basement was used for storing, and packing and unpacking, goods of many kinds. At the back, where Nick stood, it was well-nigh filled with boxes of various sizes. At the right of the basement, facing from the front, was a stairway running to the store floor above. This, the detective thought, might lead to the rear room where the talk between the diamond merchant and the sailor was in progress. He mounted the steps halfway and paused, listening for the sound of voices. As he waited, he thought with wonder at the position in which he found himself.
That a New York merchant of the apparent respectability of Hartley should occupy a place of business set with a man trap of the character which had caught him was incredible enough, but that he should actually bring it into use was almost beyond belief. It meant much to the detective. It showed him that the establishment was one in which such devices were considered necessary to the business of the proprietor, and therefore one which should be broken up by the police. It was almost incredible that such a den should exist within a few blocks of Broadway.
Presently the sound of voices came to the ears of the listening detective. First he heard the smooth tones of the merchant saying:
“You have betrayed me, and you cannot deceive me again. The best thing you can do is to leave the country, and leave it at once.”
“’Ow can we get hoff without th’ coin? Tell me that!” answered the voice of the sailor. “Hi’ll split on the game if we don’t get hour hown.”
“What have you done with the diamonds?” demanded the merchant.
Nick bent forward eagerly.