Enoch wiped away the blood as well as he could with a handkerchief. “I’m a murderer now!” he muttered between his set teeth. Cook hurried to Quick’s. “What’s up?” cried the latter and Kidd, in a single breath, as Enoch entered the back room, where they were seated. “I don’t know of anything.” Enoch tried to appear cool. He found that undertaking a vast one. The rascal had never before shed human blood, and he stood in great dread of the consequences of his act. “Why!” exclaimed Dick; “your face and neck are bloody! Are you wounded?” Cook forced a smile. “No,” he replied; “but I must have cut the other fellow.” “The detective?” queried Kidd. “No; an old friend of yours, Dick.” “Who?” “Monsieur Pierre Jacquet.” Kidd’s cheeks blanched. “You are joking,” he muttered. “Does this seem the record of a joke?” Enoch held out his blood-stained hand. Mike Quick very politely arose and left the friends together. “So the fellow has followed us, eh?” remarked Kidd. “He has followed you, just as Ajeeb has followed our friend the explorer.” “Tell me about your meeting with the French bully.” Enoch complied. “You are sure,” said Kidd, “you said nothing about Aimee falling overboard?” “Quite.” “Wash away those blood-stains.” Dick procured a basin of tepid water for his pal, and helped him cleanse himself. Then Enoch told him of his interview with Monte Murphy. “Has the fence plenty of money?” asked Kidd. “Yes; he has thousands on top of thousands in his safe.” “Let us, then, get rid of the green diamond at once.” “I told him we would bring it to him before to-morrow night.” “What’s the matter with going there now?” inquired Kidd. “Have you the diamond with you?” Dick laughed. “Do you think,” he said, “I would trust it out of my possession? It is not every day a man runs up against a fortune.” “Then we will visit Murphy.” “Are you sure the fellow is square?” asked Kidd. “Yes; I could get a dozen ‘high-rollers’ to vouch for him.” “But, according to your own statement, he did not say he would buy the stone.” “No; but he intimated that he would,” answered Enoch. “Well, we’ll give him a chance to make an offer, at all events.” The pair went out into the barroom proper, and called for drinks. Cook drank at least half a bottle of brandy before his nerves became steady. The pair hurried to the “fence,” and, after some difficulty, aroused Murphy. “So,” said Monte, upon perceiving Cook, “you are back again?” “Yes; this is my pal, Dick Kidd.” “Happy to know you, Kidd.” “Ain’t you going to ask us in?” remarked Enoch sullenly. “What for?” “We’ve brought the diamond.” “That is another thing; walk right in, boys,” said the fence. The visitors were ushered into Murphy’s little parlor. Monte excused himself for a moment. When he returned, he carried a tray, upon which was a bottle of whisky and some glasses. This display of hospitality quite surprised Enoch.