There was a pawnbroker’s sign over the door, and diamonds were shown in the windows in goodly quantities. On the door itself, the top half of which was of glass, was the line: “Diamonds bought and sold.” Below was the one word: “Hartley.” The detective had reached the city at three o’clock, and at once “made up” for an inspection of the diamond merchant’s place of business. Standing across the street, Nick had the appearance of a sailor having a leave of absence and a desire to observe all that was worth seeing in the city. Presently Nick went into the store and stood by the front counter, which was covered with show cases, each containing diamonds of all sizes and shades. The salesman who came forward to wait upon him leaned on one of the cases carelessly, and looked only casually at the pretended sailor. “I wants to sell me di’mond,” said Nick. “Let’s see it, mate.” Nick took from his pocket a superb stone worth fully $500. It was finely cut and had been removed from its setting. In fact, it was a stone which the detective frequently wore. “’Ow much for it?” he asked. “Where did you get it?” asked the clerk. Nick gave an impatient hitch to his breeches. “This hain’t no bloomin’ police station, is it?” he asked. “No,” was the reply, “but we like to know where the goods we buy come from.” Nick put the stone back into his pocket and moved toward the door. “Wait,” said the clerk. “How much do you want for it?” “Four ’undred,” was the short reply. “I’ll give you fifty dollars,” said the clerk. Nick went back and began to haggle with the clerk. What he wanted was to keep in the store long enough to size it up thoroughly. Besides, he had a notion that the two men who had been described as smelling of rum, and talking like London, might pay their respects to the diamond merchant. Now and then during the conversation Nick walked to the front door and looked out into the street. Just across the way, Patsy, next to Chick, his best assistant, stood in a make-up similar to that worn by his chief. Nick had an idea that the two sailors, who were evidently unused to the ways of New York crooks, would loiter about Hartley’s place. Patsy was watching in the street for the reason that the men might visit the vicinity of the diamond shop without actually going in. If they came within sight, he was to motion to Nick if it were possible to make him see, through the crowd; and if not, he was to go to the store after him. But it was not necessary for Patsy to signal to Nick or to call him from the store. As the chief approached the door, after being in the establishment for some time, he saw two men resembling the ones he sought standing in front of the store. They were talking together earnestly, making quick gestures with their hands. Nick passed out into the street and halted near them. One of the men looked the detective over and approached him, pushing pedestrians aside like a man in the fighting stage of intoxication.