There were three heavy sacks lifted upon the back platform, and Patsy stood out there with them, his hand close to the butt of a revolver in his coat pocket. All the notice the conductor took of this was to grumble, sotto voce, as conductors often do, in similar cases: “Why don’t youse guys hire an express wagon?” If the conductor had known that in those sacks was stolen property aggregating in value not less than two hundred thousand dollars, he might have shown a little more interest. It was early in the morning when Nick Carter turned over to the officers at police headquarters his three prisoners, Larry Dugan, Foxey Irwin, and Pet Carlin. He also handed in, and got a receipt for, the three bags of loot that he had captured with the Dugan gang. Then he went home, with Chick and Patsy, to enjoy a good breakfast, while Marcos, in a taxicab, hurried back to Crownledge, to relieve the mind of his pretty cousin, Claudia Solado, and complete his preparations to return at once to Joyalita. “And you owe it all to Mr. Carter,” remarked Claudia, as she presided at the breakfast table, with Phillips in attendance. “Indeed I do,” declared Marcos enthusiastically. “If he would come to Joyalita, I would make him prime minister.” The young girl laughed. She shook her head and said: “I am afraid there is no office in Joyalita important enough to lure Nick Carter away from New York.” “No, I suppose not,” returned Marcos slowly. “But what a fine head of the government he’d make. I’d like to see him dealing with a bunch of conspirators like these of my Cousin Miguel’s.” “I believe he’d take them up in his two strong hands and bang their heads together,” opined Claudia, with another merry laugh. THE END. In “The Traitors of the Tropics; or, Nick Carter’s Royal Flush,” which will appear in the next issue, No. 138, of the NICK CARTER STORIES, you will find that the famous detective and his assistants have still further and even more interesting adventures before Prince Marcos defeats the conspirators and regains control of Joyalita. The forthcoming issue will be out on May 1st. Dared for Los Angeles. By ROLAND ASHFORD PHILLIPS. (This interesting story was commenced in No. 134 of NICK CARTER STORIES. Back numbers can always be obtained from your news dealer or the publishers.) CHAPTER XVI. THE OLD WOUND. Nash’s hesitation was but of a second’s duration. With an exclamation of wrath and disappointment he thrust his gun back to his pocket, and leaped forward. He reached the pipe line, vaulted it, and plunged fearlessly in the general direction taken by the stranger. Once he heard the sound of falling rocks. Encouraged, he doubled his speed, only to trip upon an unseen root and sprawl heavily. The very forces of nature seemed pitted against him, for no sooner had he regained his feet than the half twilight died away, and the mountain slope became wrapped in a confusing blanket of gloom.