Nick was provoked enough to lock the clerk up, but he realized that, even if he was in partnership with the thieves, better results could be obtained by leaving him at liberty. “Do you think he belongs to the Great Diamond Syndicate?” asked Chick, as the two walked away. “It is all a guess,” was the reply. “I have an idea that he got that alleged reporter into the house last night,” said the assistant. CHAPTER XVII. MORE SURPRISES. “The alleged reporter,” said Nick, “was probably waiting about the house. He knew that a murder had been committed, and his orders probably were to get a line on what was being done. He might have bribed the clerk or the boy; probably he did.” “Yes, that is the story,” said Chick. “The syndicate did not expect that a murder would be necessary, and those in charge of the case were alarmed. They doubtless had a notion that they would be all right if they could only get you out of the way.” “What about this Mantelle?” asked Nick. “Do you think he is in the game?” “He made the appointment which kept Maynard downtown with his diamonds,” was the reply, “and he made it only when he knew that the diamonds were in sight.” “But he was not at the café until after Townsend left,” said the assistant. “Anyway, we’ll look him up,” said Nick. “There is one thing certain,” said Chick, “and that is, the case will be won if Maynard ever recovers so as to be able to give the names of the people he saw in room forty-four before he was struck down.” “We can’t afford to wait for that,” said Nick. “The robbers and the murderer must be caught at once, if at all.” “And the diamonds?” “I am no longer interested in the diamonds.” This conversation had taken place, in low tones, in the hallway near to the door of room 43. The hall was deserted except for a chambermaid loitering at the farther end. It was too early for the guests to be astir. Nick now unlocked the door to room 43, and stepped inside. As he did so, a lady, who occupied room 42, directly across the hallway, opened her door, and called to the maid. She handed her a piece of silver as she came up to where she stood, leaning out into the corridor. “Kindly go to the office and ask for mail for Mrs. Morton,” she said. The maid hastened away. Then Mrs. Morton stepped across the hall, and stood before the door of room 43. Nick had not yet left the door, but was standing close to it on the inside. As the woman approached, he listened for a moment, and then opened the door. The woman started back in dismay. “Something you want?” asked Nick, with a smile. The woman, who was young and far from ill-looking, blushed prettily. “I’m ashamed of myself,” she said, “but I really wanted to know what was going on in the murder case, and so I listened. I’m sorry.” “It doesn’t matter,” replied Nick. The woman sought her room, and Nick turned back to his assistant. “There is a clever crook,” he said.