"His confederates are scamps of the same sort, and nearly his equal in
craft and daring," replied Nick. "Perry Dalton is one--the smooth,
pock-marked rascal whom you, Mr. Garside, had the pleasure of meeting
this morning. He is nicknamed Spotty Dalton, because of his slight
disfigurement."

"And the other?"

"Is a man named Matthew Stall, more commonly called Matt Stall. He is a
Western man, a graduate of a California university, and is an expert
electrician. Oh, I know all about them," laughed Nick, "although this is
the first time I have been up against them personally. I am rather glad
to discover that they are here in New York."

"Why so, Detective Carter?" Venner carelessly inquired, with a subtle
gleam in the depths of his dark eyes.

"Because I have long wanted to match my talents against those of Dave
Kilgore and his rascally push," declared Nick, with grim austerity. "The
last I knew of them they were in Amsterdam, Holland, where some of the
finest work in diamond cutting is done, as you doubtless know."

"Indeed, yes."

"They probably had to jump that country for obvious reasons, and very
likely the European continent," added Nick. "They have long avoided New
York, and the fact that they are now here is significant of--well, well,
we shall see! That's all, gentlemen!"