The old detective stopped off at every station to which he telegraphed, but
in every instance he received the same answer, that nothing was seen of a
man answering La Croix's description.

That set the detective thinking.

"La Croix was probably keen-witted enough to suspect that we would find his
trail and pursue him. In order to conceal his identity he has doubtless
disguised himself and thus passed through unrecognized. He has got to
dispose of that big lot of diamonds yet. Carrying such a huge amount will
of course attract a great deal of attention. Therefore it should be an easy
matter to find out where he is operating when he reaches New York."

On the following day Old King Brady reached the city.

He instituted inquiries about La Croix at once in the jewelry district, but
no one seemed to have seen him yet.

That did not worry Old King Brady.

He was too astute a man to be discouraged by a trifling rebuff.

"The villain is keeping shady," was the conclusion he arrived at. "He is
going to let the fuss blow over before he exposes his stock. Very foxy, no
doubt, but I'm bound to land on him sooner or later."

He did not relax his hunt.

Nor did he let on to the authorities that he was in town again.