CHAPTER XII.
CLOSING IN.
There was, indeed, as Nick Carter shrewdly suspected, a mysterious bond between the several crimes thus far engaging his attention, and the secret operations for which David Kilgore and his gang had ventured into the city of New York.
Nick had remarked, however, that the game would become as hazardous and stirring as one could desire, as soon as it was fairly driven from cover.
And Nick began to drive it from cover that very night.
Shortly before nine o'clock, and just as the two detectives were parting from the Hindoo snake charmer, Mr. Rufus Venner rang the bell at the door of Cervera's uptown residence.
It was answered by Cervera herself, much to Venner's surprise.
"Where's the butler to-night?" he abruptly demanded, as he entered and closed the door.
"Gone," said Cervera, curtly.