He had known for weeks of numerous plate robberies from the dwellings of wealthy suburban residents, till it had become a question in the minds of the police as to who were committing the crimes and how so much plate was disposed of successfully. It no longer was a question in Nick Carter’s mind. He knew, now, that he was in the secret quarters of the gang, and where Floyd had been and how employed since the looting of the Imperial Loan Company. “Go up, Gorman, and open that trapdoor,” Floyd suddenly commanded, wiping his dripping face and glancing up at the ceiling. “Then some of this infernal heat will go into the loft.” “So ’twill,” nodded Gorman, red and glowing. “We’ve forgotten that.” He hastened up the stairway to obey, and Nick presently saw the square trapdoor raised and laid over on the upper floor. Gorman leered down at him for a moment before returning. Nick ignored him, however, but then said to Floyd, resuming a conversation that had ended when the miscreants began the work now engaging them: “You’ll suffer more heat than this, Floyd, for this night’s work. Take my word for that.” “Not in this world,” Floyd replied, with a sneer. “No, in the next.” “I’m not going that way just now.” “You’ll go sooner or later.” “I’ll take chances on the heating system, Carter, all the same,” Floyd said scornfully. “I’ll get none the worst of it because of anything you have accomplished.” “Don’t be so sure of that.” “Rats! We’ve got safely away with stuff, as I gave you a hint when I last saw you. We’ve got you, too, as I warned you. All this ought to convince you, Carter, that I’m not to be easily cornered.” “Nor am I easily convinced on so doubtful a point. You’ll get yours in time,” Nick sternly predicted. “You already are getting yours,” Floyd retorted, laughing derisively. “Perhaps.” “I warned you that I’d get you for having put me to the bad. You thought you were keen and clever when you picked me up in the railway yard. You picked up a live wire.” “Very well.” “Why, you bonehead, did you think I would not anticipate your seeking me there? I knew you would get after me in that way. I went there only to trap you.” “That now appears quite obvious,” Nick said dryly. “I knew that you would recognize me and follow me,” Floyd went on, with malicious satisfaction. “I had the trap all laid. You are a fall guy, Carter, all right. I knew you’d walk into it.” “It has not occurred to you, perhaps, that I did so with open eyes,” Nick said pointedly. “Bunk!” sneered Floyd. “Tell that to the marines. Why would you have done that?” “Merely to get a line on you rascals.” “At the risk of your life, eh?” “Certainly. That’s not uncommon,” said Nick. “Rot!” Floyd glared at him doubtfully. “If you walked into it with your eyes open, Carter, we’ll make mighty sure to close them for you. You’ll keep them closed, too. Take my word for that.” “Let it go at that, then,” Nick said indifferently.