"They aim to lure us both to Venner's house, and there trap us and do us up."
"To which latter," said Chick, dryly, "we shall strenuously object."
"Well, rather!" laughed Nick. "Still, I can see nothing in evading this question or in making a raid upon Venner's house. If the Kilgore gang are about to lay for us there, it is evident that their diamond plant is located elsewhere. They would not take chances of failing to down us, and then having their plant discovered in the house where they slipped up."
"Surely not," admitted Chick. "Kilgore is too shrewd to take those chances."
"Undoubtedly."
For several minutes Nick calmly considered the situation, then bluntly observed:
"Chick, I see but one course for us. We must go up against the game, and give this gang what rope they want."
"That's just my idea, Nick."
"In no other way can we make sure of nailing the entire gang, and also locating their plant. Raiding Venner's house would not accomplish it. Some of the gang might not be there, or possibly escape us, and we might search in vain for their plant. Then we should have most of our work to do over again."
"That's right, Nick."