know, at Hafferman's. He may have got wise to Venner's intentions.
Garside remarked that he appeared quite anxious to leave the diamonds
until Venner should return. That would have been very natural on his
part, in case he was then co-operating with the party who finally
secured them."

"The same objection again arises, however," argued Nick. "Boyden is not
employed at Venner's, and therefore has not access to his letter paper.
Furthermore, Venner's visit was made only yesterday afternoon, less than
twenty-four hours before the robbery occurred. It seems hardly probable
that Boyden was already in league with the Kilgore gang; and, if he was
not, it is even less probable that he so quickly got in touch with
them."

"By Jove! that's so," cried Chick. "As a matter of fact, then, neither
of these theories has a reliable leg to stand upon."

"That's exactly my conclusion," laughed Nick.

"And what then?"

"Concerning that side of the affair," replied Nick, "several
irresistible convictions are therefore forced upon me. One of the
Kilgore gang certainly knew of Venner's visit, and of the request he
made Hafferman regarding the diamonds. Otherwise he could not have
planned the job so neatly. Somebody must have informed him. Somebody
must have provided him with one of Venner's letter sheets. If we
eliminate the clerks, and the members of both firms, we are left very
much in the dark."