“Which of you stole the diamond?” “Dick did.” Burt smiled. “Of course,” he said, “you will not criminate yourself.” “I’m telling you the truth.” “How do the heathen generally despatch their victims?” “Invariably by the sword.” “Have you ever seen them put any one to death?” asked Burt. “No; but Stolburst did, and I heard him tell of it.” “You have no idea where this man Ajeeb is stopping?” “Not the slightest.” “You only saw him once?” “That is all.” “Where did you see him?” “Near Union Square.” “Enoch, if you can locate him for me, I will give you a hundred dollars.” “I don’t want money. I’d like to see you round that little devil up.” “Why?” “Well, if for no other reason, because I am afraid of him.” “You locate him, and I will attend to his case. Now, I want you to promise not to tell Mike Quick what I have learned.” “I will not go near Quick’s.” “Remember,” said Burt, “that, if I find you are unfaithful, I will ‘railroad’ you to Sing Sing.” “You can just bet I will bear that in mind!” returned Enoch. They then parted, after Cook had promised to hunt for Ajeeb. Enoch lied when he claimed not to know Kidd’s address. After leaving the detective, he visited his pal. Dick was about to leave his lodgings. In his hand he carried a small package. “What have you there?” asked Enoch. “You have not recovered the diamond?” “No.” “Then Murphy shall never enjoy it! I have here a dynamite cartridge, with which I intend to blow him and his crib up.” “You can save yourself the trouble.” “I’m determined.” “The man is dead.” “Dead?” ejaculated Kidd. “Yes; I just came from there,” replied Enoch. “Did you kill him?” “No.” “Who did?” “An unknown assassin.” Cook was true to the detective. “And the diamond?” “That and all the ‘fence’s’ other valuables were stolen.” Kidd staggered as if he had received a heavy blow. He had lost a fortune. It was some slight satisfaction for him to know who had the Eye of Jobu, even if he did not have it himself. Now it was in the possession of some one unknown. “Enoch, you are not joking?” “I would not joke about so serious a matter,” replied Cook. “We are a pair of unfortunate devils. Think what a glorious time we should have had had we been paid for the diamond.” “There is nothing left for us to do, that I can see, but grin and bear it.” “You seem to take our loss quite cool,” said Kidd. “What’s the use of crying over it?” “You have an idea who killed and robbed the ‘fence’?” “No.” “How came you to go there?” “I thought I could prevail upon Monte to make some restitution.” “You never told me you intended to visit him,” said Dick. “I acted on the impulse of the moment.” “Now,” said Kidd, “I suppose the diamond is forever lost to us.” “I wish you never took it. The stone seems to bring misfortune to every one who has possessed it.” “It is unlucky.” “Stolburst has probably been murdered by Ajeeb, or some of his crew.”