Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-11-17

He knows all about it, said Mr.. Chap
man, reading the letter, 'or he would net
have made such proposal.'
But said |, impa,iently, show will This
avail us! The auctioneer is now in our
house,
Have faith. madam he replied; Il am
acting under the advice Of very clever de-
tective.'
, sHe then directed me TO write again te
Josiah, and say that had been advised that
the most satisfactory mode of disposng of
the Diamonds would be by public compet-
ton.
Josiah did not communicate with me
again; but on the very evening of the day
on which the sale took place, while we
were anxiously waiting for tie auctioneer's
account Of the proceeds, in came Mr Chap
man, exhibiting as much glee as his dry
legal face would permit.
sJosiah's bought the diamonds' he ex-
claimed.
What! the pastel .--..-
mo. Josiah's not such fool as to give
ten thousand pounds for PASTE
we believed that Mr.. Chapman must
have been suddenly bereft of his senses;-
but he proved his words by check on his
own bankers for eight thousand pounds, and
further than that. he placed in my hands a
little bcx containing Aunt Janet's veritable
diamonds.
This was Mr.. Chapman's story: 1t had
been arranged that the false diamonds sho'd
be on view with the rest Of the effects; but
they were to be placed under glass case,
and the detective, as an auctioneer's man
in charge, was to watch narrowly all the
people who came 10 view them. 1t was
also agreed, on any person desiring closer
inspection, that the detective was to make
excuse about the key of the case being
mislaid. Several persons, evidently dealers
in jewelry, had grumbled great dea about
only being able to see the diamonds thro'
the glass, but nobody had expressed doubt
as to their being real. At last, two men
came in together, and while the one was
complaining about the key, the other, at
glance, told his companion it did not mat
ter: he knew they were only paste.
sHow would that man be certain at
glance that the stones were pastel
The detective motioned to Mr.. Chap
man, who was standing near. He went up
to the man, and drawing him aside, told him
tha. he was quite right; the diamonds were
only paste, and it would be worth money to
any person who would say how they came
to be paste.
'i,y dint of clever examination and pzen-
ises of reward. the man confessed that he
had made those very imitation stones him
selg When! Somewhere about two years
before. Eor. whom! Well be didn't mind
saying that-ihe fellow was lately dead
Benson, Jew money-lender, who often
employed him for that sort CT job, On
whose behalf was BensoD actingl~ All!
Benson KEEP: his affairs very close; but it did
happen there was a great press at the erd to
get this work done; and when he took it
home to Benson's he hurried at once into
the private office, and there was a gentle
man. all impatient to get possession of the
false stones. Benson was angry with him
for coming into the office. He never found
out the gentlemaE's name, but he was GER
tain he should know him again. And the
diamonds! Yes, be faneied lie knew where
the diamonds were; the set had not been
broken up; they were in the hands of man
who wanted long price-diamonds were
rising in the market-the man could bide
his time.
Now said Mr.. Chapman, sihat gentle
man you chanced TO see is very anxious 20
get those diamonds back again; he will
give the man his ow price for them if they
are brought to my offics tomorrow morn
ing. and something handsome to you in the
bargain
The man agreed. Mr. Chapman wrote
to Josiah, making an appointment for the
following morning. at eleven O'Clock, re-
specting some executor business.
The man duly arrived at the Office with
the diamonds, and Mr., Chapman had them
inspected by an experienced jeweiler, who
declared that they we're genuine. and that
they exactly corresponded with the original
setting.
'Josiah kept the appointment.
Il can almost see Mr.. Chapman before
me now as he described his interview with
Josiah. His features never lost their sedate
business aspect, but his small, grey eyes
ttwinkied with waggish cxultatior.
Josiah vas very ill-tempered, rude, about
some proposal .. Mr.. Chapman's respecting
my aunt's affairs.
.You are an unrrateful fellow, Josiah,
said Mr.. Chapman;'I am always doing
VIII Ut can for you. heard that you were
very anxious TO get mold of your aunt's
diamonds
.Yes,' replied Josiah; Il told the auction
eer to bid for me; bu; he says those dia-
monds have turned out 20 be sham
That's jus, it, Josiah; have given my
! self all the pains in the world to get the
real ones for you. Fact, they were in the
hands oc Mr.. Benson. Josiah turned
deadly pale) find that person is dead;-
but I've a young man in the next office who
was employed by Mr.. Benson. and he SAYS
he once saw a gentleman at Mr.. Benson''
office
Il am very much indebted TO you for you
trouble exclaimed Josiah, with the deepes
Of scow Is on his countenance; Pm only to-
glad to get my poor aunt's diamonds; wha'
am to payP
Ten thousand pounds replied Chapman
, very deliberately. Uosiah made use OF yer.
, strong expressions.) Perhaps you don
.L:i a. o, ,ro r.nnioa1, said Mr. Ghanmar