“But you cannot expect us to redeem the pledge to any person except the holder of the ticket,” Hart quickly protested. “That is the only safeguard for both parties. You must bring the ticket, of course, in order to obtain the jewels. Otherwise, we cannot possibly let you have them.” “But----” “Oh, there is nothing to it,” Hart insisted. “We do business in no other way.” “See here!” Nick exclaimed, and his voice took on a somewhat threatening ring. “Unless you----” “One moment, sir,” Hart again interrupted. “I will speak to our manager, Mr. Garland. He will talk with you. Wait just one moment.” Hart vanished from the window, and through the brass lattice Nick saw him hasten into one of the private offices. Five minutes passed and he did not reappear. “This looks deucedly like not getting them, by Jove,” whispered Waldmere, gazing dubiously at the detective. “I don’t expect to get them,” Nick muttered. “No?” “I came here only to size up these fellows and hear what they would say,” Nick quietly added. “Say nothing while I am talking with the manager, if he ever decides to show up.” “You think----” “There’s nothing to it. The two men are discussing the situation. They don’t like it for some reason. I must find later of what that reason consists. It may be the key to the whole business.” “I’m jolly well convinced that----” “Quiet. Here comes the manager.” A tall, somewhat cadaverous man of forty was approaching from the private office. His bushy brows were knit, and he had an aggressive aspect that gave promise of nothing favorable. He came straight to the window at which Nick and Waldmere were standing. “Are you the gentlemen who wish to redeem some jewels?” he asked abruptly. “Yes,” said Nick shortly. “I am Mr. Garland, the manager. My assistant has told me what you have said. There really is nothing we can do for you. You will have to bring the ticket for the pledge in order to redeem it.” “But we cannot get the ticket until this gentleman’s wife returns,” Nick replied. “Where has she gone?” “We don’t know. She is away with a friend.” “Is the ticket in her name?” “Yes.” “What name?” “We don’t know that, either,” said Nick. “She used a fictitious name when she negotiated the loan.” “Why did she do that?” Garland demanded. “There should have been no occasion for it. We do all of our business aboveboard and expect no less of our patrons. Really, gentlemen, this matter don’t look quite right to me. You will have to wait until the woman returns, or sends you the ticket.” Nick Carter’s disguised face took on a more threatening frown. He pressed nearer the window, replying, in peppery tones: “This don’t look right to you, eh? What is it, sir, that don’t look right to you.” “We will not discuss that point,” said Garland curtly. “I have told you the only way by which you can redeem the pledge and obtain the jewels.”