He wanted all his resources for what he knew was very likely to follow.
Nick was quite as anxious as the gang to force matters, moreover; for at the end of ten minutes, in case he did not return to the carriage, Chick was to begin getting in his work.
Therefore the climax came quickly.
Six minutes had already passed.
"Well, sir, what do you think of them?" cried Venner, as he returned to the room.
"The diamonds?" queried Nick, tossing several of them back upon the table.
"Certainly. What else?"
"They are all right, Mr. Venner."
"I thought you would say so."
"Yes, indeed. They are all right—for what they are!"