"Also get a description of the party who delivered the written order at Hafferman's store. Inquire what he said at the time, and why he did not attempt securing the diamonds then and there."
"Probably he was not known there, and knew he could not get them," observed Venner, by way of explanation.
Nick made no reply to this, however, and Chick hurriedly departed.
CHAPTER III.
THE KILGORE DIAMOND GANG.
"Now, gentlemen, only a few more questions, and I then shall be ready to go at this case in a more energetic fashion," said Nick Carter, immediately after Chick's departure. "Were any of your clerks absent from the store, Mr. Venner, at the time of this robbery?"
"As I was absent myself, I cannot say," replied Venner, rather dryly. "How about it, Garside?—you were here."
"Only one clerk, a young man named Spaulding, was out of the store."
"Was he out on business?"