“This does settle it,” he congratulated himself. “I’ll get in there and hold up the whole gang. If I can get all of them under my guns--well, there’ll be nothing more to it.” It took Chick some little time, however, to noiselessly force a rear basement window. The scene in the front parlor was in rapid progress all the while. Chick got in unheard and was stealing up to the adjoining room, just as Guelpa rushed out of the house. It was impossible to stop him, but Chick had heard enough to show him the way. The four men in the front parlor then were in animated discussion of what had been said. Thy had no thought of another intruder. The portière masking the door of the rear room had fallen back into place. Chick crept into the room from the hall, and he then discovered Patsy Garvan bound to the chair. He stole nearer and liberated him, then slipped him one of his revolvers. Not a word passed between them. Ten seconds later, however, the portière was flung aside and both detectives stepped into the room, with revolvers leveled. “No monkey business, gentlemen!” Chick now said sharply. “The first man who moves will be a dead one! We’ll shoot to kill!” The threat was sufficient, or the guns. Only one of the rascals moved, save to throw up his hands. Scoville edged nearer the hall door, but stood with his back against it, a position certainly not inviting suspicion. “Good work, Chick,” Nick said simply, after the crooks had been handcuffed and he had been liberated. “It is about what I was expecting.” “We’ve landed with both feet,” declared Patsy. “All we now want is the master crook, the rat who jabbed that needle in my neck.” “We’ll get him, all right,” said Nick. “Get those jewel cases, Patsy, and we’ll head for the hotel. You remain here, Chick, and hold up the rascal if he returns. I’ll have policemen here on the quiet in a very few moments. I’ll not risk losing the rascal by not following him.” “I’m with you, chief,” said Patsy. Three minutes later four policemen entered the house and took the crooks in charge. Chick continued to wait for Guelpa. Nick Carter and Patsy entered the Westgate a few minutes later. The first man they saw was Clayton, in the office inclosure. “Good God!” he cried excitedly, seeing the jewel cases. “You’ve got them, Carter, you’ve got them! When and how----” Nick checked him with a gesture and placed the cases on the counter. “Put them in the vault, Vernon, and lock it!” he commanded, turning to the thunderstruck head clerk. “You come with me, Clayton, and be quick about it.” Clayton leaped over the counter and Nick ran to the elevator. “I’ll show you your double, Clayton, unless I am much mistaken,” said he, as the car sped up to the fourth floor. “My double?” gasped Clayton. “That’s what. A fellow who looks like you. There’s nothing more to it.” “This way, chief,” Patsy whispered, as they left the car. “I know his door. Gee whiz! I ought to.” They arrived at it in a moment.