“Dick Kidd will be here by that time. Won’t you wait until he comes before you make a move?” “Why should I wait?” “He may have some valuable suggestions to offer.” Quick smiled. The sodden expression had disappeared from his eyes. Now they sparkled with intelligence. His features, marked with dissipation though they were, had also brightened up. For the nonce, he was the Mike Quick who years before had led the detectives many a merry chase by his shrewdness in eluding pursuit, and had almost paralyzed them by the boldness of his operations. “I have already mapped out my course,” said the dive-keeper. “How shall I know the diamond?” “It is as large as a bantam’s egg, and of a peculiar greenish tint.” “I shall get it.” “Remember,” said Enoch, “you are a third partner in the gem.” “I shall bring the diamond back in two hours, or--well, we shall see what we shall see.” CHAPTER XIII. MIKE QUICK’S MISSION. Bidding Cook good night, Quick left his saloon. His objective point was Monte Murphy’s, in Elizabeth Street. Mike had proceeded on his journey as far as Broadway, when he encountered Joe Snell. The meeting was accidental. Snell seemed to be considerably under the influence of liquor, and his first act was to invite Quick to go and have a drink with him. Mike gladly accepted the invitation. His business with Murphy could wait. Late as the hour was, the pair found a saloon open. Snell seemed to be in the highest spirits. “Made a cool five hundred to-night, Mike,” he said, “just as easy as wink.” “The last time I saw you I think you were broke.” “Sure; why, I’ve been walking on my uppers for two months.” “Cracked a crib, eh?” Snell laughed loudly. “Easier than that.” “I don’t care to know anything about it,” said Quick, believing that, pretending indifference, he would draw the drunken thief out. Mike’s surmise was correct. “But,” said Joe, “perhaps I shall tell you. I always knew you were a man in whom a friend could trust.” Quick chuckled softly to himself. “Say,” added Snell, “you know Enoch Cook?” “Yes; he’s no good.” Joe smiled all over. Quick didn’t like Cook. “Well,” said Snell, “Pat Brady and I pulled off a thousand between us for doing Cook and a friend of his.” “You didn’t commit murder, I hope?” exclaimed Mike. “Oh, no; you don’t catch me putting my precious neck in jeopardy.” “Then what do you mean by ‘doing him’?” inquired Quick. “We just held the two coves up, while Monte Murphy gathered in some of their swag.” “What did the swag consist of?” “A big brilliant that Monte calls an emerald. Murphy was expecting the pair, and had me and Pat on deck.” “Do you call your action square?” “Why not?” “How should you like to be done out of the proceeds of a job?” “Shouldn’t like it at all.” “Yet you were willing to give that medicine to another?” “I was broke; and, besides, there is an old grudge between Cook and me.”