The pair of precious rascals parted on Broadway, near Chambers Street. Enoch went directly to Quick’s. It was long after midnight, but the place was in full blast. Petty gamblers and thieves formed the bulk of the body of customers. “Mike, I want to see you alone for a few minutes.” “Say, Enoch, don’t you see I am up to my eyes in biz?” “Yes, but this is a very important matter.” “Can’t we talk about it to-morrow?” remarked Quick. “It may then be too late.” Mike called one of his cronies to take his place behind the bar. Then he conducted his visitor to a room on the floor above the store. “Now, spit out this precious business of yours, and be quick about it.” “You remember the diamond I spoke to you about?” “Yes; you said Kidd had a stone worth a few thousands.” “It is worth half a million dollars, if it is worth a cent.” “Oh, come off! You don’t expect me to swallow any such yarn?” “Mike,” said Cook solemnly, “I swear I only speak the truth!” “Well, what about the stone?” “Kidd and I have talked the matter over, and we have concluded to give you a third share in it,” replied Enoch. “Very kind of you and Mister Kidd, I am sure,” remarked Quick. “Of course, I am expected to give up value in return?” “We won’t ask you to give up a dollar.” “Kidd has the diamond?” “No----” “Then you have it?” “No; as a matter of fact, neither of us have it,” said Enoch. Quick threw himself back in his chair, and laughed until tears ran down his cheeks. “You seem to have lost your senses, boy,” he finally said. “How do you make that out?” “You come here and offer me that which you haven’t got.” “But we want you to help us recover the diamond.” “Why!” ejaculated the dive-keeper; “have you lost it?” “Yes.” “And you say it is worth half a million dollars?” “Far more than that, if anything,” answered Enoch. “It was stolen from a temple in Africa, where for centuries it was venerated by a rich and idolatrous people.” Quick was not altogether illiterate. He had read of great diamonds being found in temples, and at other shrines, by travelers. “You have seen the stone?” he said, after a pause. “I’ve had it in my hand a thousand or more times.” “You say it is lost?” “Stolen, rather.” “By whom?” “Monte Murphy.” “The old shark! So you let him ‘do’ you out of your property?” “We couldn’t well help ourselves,” replied Enoch, with a sickly smile. “Tell me all about it.” “That’s what I propose to do.” “Well, hurry up about it.” Quick was very serious when Cook finished his narrative. “Who was the chap that entered the room with Snell?” “Pat Brady.” “That gentleman honors me with a visit almost every day.” “So much the better. We may be able to work Monte through him.” “No; Murphy will give Snell and Brady the ‘razzle-dazzle,’ just the same as he gave it to you and Kidd.” “How, then, can we make him disgorge?” asked Cook. “I’ll attend to him.” “How?” “Leave that to me.” “When will you go about the work?” “Inside of an hour.”