Nick reached for his revolver. Before he could draw it, however, the quick click of a metal spring fell upon his ears, and light entered his dismal confinement through a square hole in the floor, which was nearly four feet above his head. At the same moment Margate’s threatening voice cried sharply: “Don’t pull a gun, Carter, or I’ll drop you on the instant. I’ve got you covered.” Nick looked up through the opening and saw the malevolent face of the rascal, also the gleam of light from the revolver aimed down at him. “Take your hand from your pocket,” Margate sternly added. “Make sure it’s empty when you draw it out, too, or you’ll hear something drop.” Nick removed his hand from his pocket. “I already have heard something drop, Margate,” he coolly answered, leaning against one of the plank walls. “You’re lucky to be alive after it,” returned Margate, with a malicious leer. “I’m not the kind that dies easy,” Nick retorted. “You’re booked to get yours this time, all the same.” “Possibly.” “You might as well take off that spinach, too,” Margate tauntingly added. “I know you, all right, and what you’re out after.” Nick removed his disguise and thrust it into his pocket. “I have found what I am after, Margate,” he said, more sternly. Margate laughed derisively. “Much good that will do you,” he replied. “You haven’t found the one whom you are after.” “The time will come.” “Your time will, Carter, all right,” snapped Margate, shaking the weapon at him. “It already has come, in fact. Here is where I get even with you for having queered my game of months ago. I have been lying low since then, and just waiting to frame up this job.” “You will lie low later, Margate, take my word for it,” Nick said significantly. Margate laughed again. “Don’t bank on that, Carter,” he retorted. “I already have demonstrated that you are not in my class. That trick I served you in the Hotel Westgate ought to convince you of it.” “I admit it was clever. Otherwise, you never would have got by.” “Not more clever than that of last night,” grinned Margate. “I don’t mind telling you. I’ve got the woman, Clayton’s new wife. I’ll make him and her father pay all you robbed me of when you deprived me of Mademoiselle Falloni’s jewels.” “I suspected that was your game,” said Nick, with seeming indifference. “You bet it’s my game.” “Take heed you don’t lose it.” “Let me alone to do that,” snapped Margate, more sharply. “I’m going to pay you, too, for having sent my good friends to prison. I’ll send you to a closer confinement than they are in.” “I’ll take your word for it.” “I knew you were at Langham Manor last night. I knew, too, hang you, that you would instantly take on this case and set to work to trace me. How did you do it so quickly?” “Oh, it wasn’t very difficult,” said Nick. “Such fellows as you are quite easily traced.” “Is that so, Carter?” “The circumstances should convince you of it.” “How did you contrive to hit my trail?”