“Come, come,” said Nick, “I am the officer who had you under arrest up at Hall’s place. You were released in order that you might show the way to Hughart’s hiding place. Molly, by the way, has been taken to my house, and you can see her there.” The girl stepped back in wonder. “You must be Nick Carter,” she said. “No other man could so disguise himself and do what you have done here.” “The same, at your service,” replied Nick, with a laugh. “Then I suppose I’ll have to go with you,” said the girl, “but you won’t get anything out of me.” Presently the police came—two patrolmen who had heard the whistle. Nick made himself known, told them to see that the crooks were taken to police headquarters, and asked one of them to call a carriage. Hughart was still unconscious from the blow he had received, and had to be carried to the vehicle. “You gave him a good one,” grinned one of the officers. “It was that or nothing,” replied Nick. “See that these men are safely handcuffed and locked up. When the wagon comes, one of you remain here and close the place.” The officer pointed to the bouncer. “What about this one?” he asked. “Lock him up,” was the brief reply. “There are plenty of charges to make against him. He’s a tough, but not so tough as he thinks he is.” Arrived at Nick’s house, Hughart and Carrie were placed in separate rooms. The latter at once asked for Molly, but was not permitted to see her at that time. Hughart was beginning to show signs of consciousness. Chick appeared as Nick entered his study. “You are making quite a collection to-night,” he said. “Molly is making things hum in that little room.” “What does she say?” “That you shall be made to suffer for her detention.” “That is cheerful,” said Nick. “Has she been searched?” “Yes. Mrs. Knight left her not long ago.” “She found the money?” “Certainly.” “I am sorry for the woman,” mused Nick. “She is in bad shape just now.” Although Hughart had been suspected, without cause, by his companions in the syndicate, under Nick Carter’s third degree he confessed everything, with the result that the detective was able to make a strong case against the gang. “The small fry,” as Nick called them, it was proven had nothing to do with the murder, and all escaped with sentences ranging from ten to twenty years. Bernice escaped the penalty of the law by committing suicide in her cell. The chief of the diamond thieves, Anton, and Stella went to the electric chair. The large diamonds which had been removed from the Maynard collection by Bernice were never found. After rounding up the syndicate, Nick refused to engage in a hunt for the diamonds. The case was fairly won, but the famous detective declares to this day that the cleverest criminals he ever encountered belonged to the Great Diamond Syndicate. THE END.