“Oh, no, of course not, you poor, blooming innocent!” Kidd’s eyes gleamed murderously as he glanced at his pal. Cook caught the other’s glance, but could not understand it. “Surely, you are not angry with me?” he said. “If I had a weapon, I’d just about kill you, that’s all!” “Kill me?” “That’s it!” “If you try it on, you will find that two can play at that game! But what have I done to incur your anger?” “You don’t know?” sneered Dick. “I wouldn’t have asked you if I did,” returned Cook. “You put up this job!” “What job?” “To have your friend collar the diamond,” replied Kidd. Enoch was astounded. “Do you mean that?” “You bet I do!” “Well,” said Cook, drawing a long breath, “this is the first time I was ever accused of betraying a pal.” “What share are you to have out of the proceeds of the sale of the gem?” “Dick, you are talking nonsense!” exclaimed Enoch. “Didn’t you tell me, when I questioned you, that this Monte Murphy was a square man, and that I could find a dozen high-rollers who would say the same thing?” “I believed Murphy was square. He always treated me so until now.” “I would never have had anything to do with him but for you.” “Still, you can’t blame me. I thought I was doing everything for the best.” Enoch talked in a smooth, easy tone, free of excitement. His manner more than his words impressed Kidd. “Why,” added Cook, after a pause, “if you sold the diamond, I was to have half the proceeds.” “Yes; and you can bet your sweet life I would have kept my word!” “Do you suppose, even if I were inclined to give you the ‘razzle-dazzle,’ I could make better terms with Murphy?” “I never gave that side of the case a thought,” said Kidd hesitatingly. “Now,” said Enoch, “the question confronts us--how are we going to get back the diamond?” “Unarmed as we are, we can’t burst in the door.” “We would be shot down if we tried that racket.” “What would you suggest?” “That we take Mike Quick into partnership,” replied Cook. “Perhaps he may be a friend of Murphy?” “That don’t matter.” “Why?” “Quick thinks more about money than any mere bond of friendship.” “Well,” said Kidd, “I’ll leave the whole business in your hands. Monte Murphy would not have the diamond in the first place but for you.” “Don’t harp forever on that string,” returned Enoch. “Now Murphy knows the gem was stolen by us, and how can Quick force him to give it up?” “Mike and I will think of a way.” “When will you set about it?” “When?” repeated Cook; “why, we must get down to business at once.” “I’ll meet you at Quick’s in about an hour,” said Dick. “Where are you going?” “Home.” “What for?” “That is my affair.” “Don’t be so saucy about it.” “I’ll tell you this much, if I don’t recover the diamond, Monte Murphy will never sell it!” “You mean to kill him?” “Yes; and others besides, mayhap.”