Nick fished out a black cigar and lit it, smoking indifferently until the woman resumed her seat. He then continued the conversation much along the foregoing lines, until the noise of the approaching taxicab was heard by both, when Sadie started up and exclaimed: "He’s here, Bosey. That’s Fallon." "So I heard." "I’ll get into my cloak and lid." "Stop a bit, kid," said Nick, checking her and lurching forward in his chair. "Lemme have a look at him before we start." "What’s that for?" questioned Sadie quickly. "Only because I like to see who I’m in with," Nick explained indifferently. "Call him in and give him your directions. That’ll be enough." Sadie Badger saw nothing for him to gain, if she complied with his wish, feeling that she had all the best of him. She shrugged her broad, shapely shoulders and laughed, then stepped to the front door and called Fallon into the house. "He is here, Bosey," she remarked, when the burly chauffeur followed her into the room. "Shake hands with Bosey Magee, Bill, who is going out with me. You’ll find him all right." Fallon grinned and complied. "The more the better, old top," he remarked carelessly. "Glad to know you," Nick growled cordially. "Take us out to Corson’s place, Bill, and get there lively," said Sadie, in compliance with Nick’s suggestion. "I can make it in twenty minutes," Fallon nodded. "Good enough. I’ll get into my rags and veil and be with you in a couple of minutes." "I’ll wait for you outside." "Go ahead, then. We’ll not be long." Fallon swung round and swaggered out of the house, returning to his seat in the taxicab. Sadie Badger arose and took her cloak from the sofa. When she turned to put it on--she found Nick Carter confronting her, with a revolver thrust under her very nose. "If you speak, Sadie, this will speak louder," he said sternly, gripping her by the shoulder. "Not a sound, mind you, or you’ll get all that’s coming to you." The woman turned as white as the knot of lace at her throat. "Heavens!" she muttered, with lips twitching. "You mean----” "Silence!" Nick sternly hissed. "I’m wise to the whole business. Our partnership in crime is ended, also your little game. If you utter a sound to warn Fallon, I’ll send you to prison for twenty years." "Curse you, Carter, I----” "Hush! Ah, Chick, you’re here!" Chick Carter had darted quietly in from a rear room. Sadie Badger had dropped on the sofa, as pale as if death-stricken. "I picked the lock of the back door," Chick whispered. "Is the way open?" "Wide open," said Nick, whipping out a pair of handcuffs. "Get into her garments. We must be out in another minute. I’ll fix the woman." Sadie Badger, with the detective’s threat ringing in her ears, which she knew only too well he would execute, collapsed completely and offered no resistance. Nick handcuffed her with her arms behind her, then tied a bandage securely over her mouth. He then marched her into a closet in the adjoining room and locked the door.