“Go chase yourself,” thundered the bouncer, “you can’t bring no police up here while I’m around.” Nick saw that there was trouble ahead, and got ready for it. Hughart turned away. “Wait,” said Nick. “You are going with me as soon as these men are taken care of.” “He don’t have to go unless he wants to,” sneered the bouncer. “You can’t come up here an’ run this place.” Hughart turned back, and said: “I have no idea of going with you. You helped me out here, a moment ago, and I thank you for that, but here our ways part.” Nick was in rather a tight box, for he did not know but the crooks might regain consciousness in a minute and come to the assistance of the bully. Whatever was done must be done at once. He turned to Hughart. “You are wanted as a witness in the case against the chief of the diamond syndicate,” he said, “and you may as well come along without making trouble.” “The diamond syndicate?” echoed the miner. “What do I know about a diamond syndicate?” “You know all about it,” replied Nick. “This is the first I have heard of it,” said the man, a look of fear on his face. It was easy to see that the man was lying. “He’s givin’ you guff,” roared the bouncer. “Shall I put him out?” Nick was getting angry. The developments of the night had convinced the detective that Hughart would make trouble if an attempt to take him by force was made. “Get out!” roared the bouncer. “Don’t be kicking up a row here.” Nick stepped backward to the door opening into the hall, and gave a shrill call on his police whistle. In a second the bouncer was making for him, not with a weapon, but with his brawny fists, which had doubtless put more than one man out of business. Nick met him halfway. The fellow put up his hands in prize-ring style, but it was of little avail. Nick is a past master in the art of boxing, and the bouncer went to the floor to join the crooks. Then Nick found himself threatened with a revolver in the hands of Hughart. The girl screamed and covered her face with her hands. Hughart turned for a second to warn her against making an outcry, and that was enough. He went down under a crashing blow. Carrie gave a scream of fright and anger as Hughart fell, and turned toward the inner stairs leading to the restaurant. “It looks like a slaughterhouse,” she said. And, indeed, she was not far from right. There were four men on the floor whom the detective had put out of business for the time being. He smiled as he thought what would have resulted had they all attacked him at once. “Wait until the police come,” said Nick to the girl. “You are to go with me.” “Indeed I’m not,” was the angry reply. “I was arrested once to-day, and they were glad to let me go.” “Where do you wish to go?” asked Nick. “Do you want to communicate the news to your friend Molly, who sent you here?” “I don’t know what you are talking about?” said the girl.