Mingled malice, merciless hatred, and vicious exultation were pictured in every feature of Margate’s white, hardset face. His eyes had a gleam as cold and murderous as that reflected from a blade of steel. His thin, cruel lips were drawn like those of a dog about to bite. “So you’re here again, eh?” he questioned, breaking the momentary silence. Nick eyed him sharply, suspecting the truth, yet still maintaining the part he had undertaken to play. “Yes, as I agreed,” he replied curtly. “Let me out. Why are you keeping me here?” “Aren’t you comfortable?” “No. It’s close and stuffy.” “It’s not half as close and stuffy a box as you might land in,” Margate said, with a malicious grin. “Haven’t you thought of that?” “I’m not thinking along those lines,” Nick replied. “Come, come, Mr. Margate, let me out.” “Not yet,” leered the rascal. “I want to talk with you. Have you brought the money agreed upon?” “We’ll discuss that in the room where I previously talked with you,” said Nick. “I refuse to discuss it, or anything else, as long as you keep me in this place.” “Is that so?” sneered Margate. “Listen, then! When you leave it--you’ll leave it for a worse place.” “What do you mean by that?” “Can’t you guess? Hold on! Keep your hands in front of you!” Nick was stealthily reaching toward his hip pocket. Margate’s sneering voice had taken on a fierce and threatening ring. His right hand leaped into view at the lighted window, and a revolver was aimed point-blank at the detective’s breast. “Don’t try to pull a gun, Carter, or you’ll be a dead one on the instant,” he now threatened sternly. “Ah!” Nick exclaimed, casting subterfuge to the winds. “You know me, then.” “You bet I know you,” sneered Margate, with vicious asperity. “I have mighty good cause to know you. I’ve been wise to you from the first--and I now have you where I want you. You’re going to pay the price for what you put over on me a month ago.” “I see,” Nick said coolly, despite the ominous outlook. “You’re a very clever fellow, Margate, after all.” “Clever enough to get the best of you.” “So it appears,” Nick agreed, bent upon learning just what the rascal knew of his movements and doings. “I did not suppose you were half as keen. You make me curious.” “I’ll do more than that to you, Carter,” scowled the other. “Curious about what?” “How you discovered my identity. I thought my tracks were perfectly covered.” “You did, eh?” “Otherwise, Margate, I would not be in this box,” said Nick. “You can bet on that.” “It looks like a safe bet,” Margate allowed, with a leer. “You’re not half as crafty, Carter, as you think. Do you suppose for a moment that I would not make sure that Garland did not send for you?” “He did not send for me,” Nick replied carelessly, bent upon leading him on. “I know he didn’t--but Senator Barclay did.” “Ah!” “I’ll soon have both where I want them--as I’ve got you!” Margate exultantly added.