The daily gazette., 1877-03-01
The Etchin Diamonds.

portant place. My brothers offices were
In the town, two miles distant; but he
did almost as much business among the
gentry at his own private house. s-'p
Most Of the great folks employed him;
but his best client was Sir Etchin Eckford
a ct-dc-rant Indian Judge, very wealthy,
and the possessor of some rare and costly
jewels, known in the county as the Etch-
in Diamonds. Their name even makes
me shudder now, for they almost occason
ed my death. ~ 1t'ftlb i-lT3Nl
One evening, as Arthur was preparing
to return to his Office, where Important
business would detain him all night. Sir
Etchin's groom lett parcel, with note.
The latter stated that the former contain
ed the famous Etchin Diamonds, which
their owner thought safest to entrust to
Arthur's care as he had been unexpected
ly called to London.
81 don't care what deeds they leave
with me-" said my brother; "but | don't
like such trusts as those. Still, l sup
pose must keep them" t5 ~ -
Of course, he could not send themback
so taking the parcel, he at once proceed
ed to his study, to lock it in the iron safe.
went with him, and with woman's Gu
riosity and love of jewelry, besought a
peep at the gems before he put them in
the safe, H-.t. ~ ~.
Arthur the best brother in the world,
instantly removed the paper covering, dis
closing square morocco box, brass
bound, with the key tied to tho bundle.
Opening 1t, he showed me the gems. They
were, indeed, magnificent, set in the mas
sive Indian fashion; while many of the
diamonds were yet uncut. One BY one,
bracelets, bangles, necklets, Arthur lifted
and flashed in the lamplight, before my
dazzled vision. -.1-
He was holding superb emerald and
diamond necklet in his hand, for my ad-
miration, when, happening to raise my
head, q cry Of alarm burst from my lips.
"What is it, Nell?" asked Arthur.
"The man!'' replied. See! the window
is uncurtained, and l am sure saw a
man looking in from the tree outside"
"Nonsenser' cried Arthur.
Nevertheless, he flung up the window,
called and gazed in every direction. There
was nothing-not sign, not a sound;
and assured, as I was, that l had been
mistaken, he fastened the catch. and drop
ped the curtain.
AS, however, he was about to put away
the diamonds, 1 said, "Arthur, would it
not be better to place them in the safe in
your bedroom? 1t is quite as secure,
while it will be nearer to me-
He agreed in the advisability, and lock-
ed them up; then having cautioned me to
see we'll TO the house fastenings, and
asked again if ] was really not frightened
to remain alone night with only the
servants Jane and Jenkins, he left for
town.
l had told Arthur was not frightened.
Yet l was nervous. l could not Danish
the face fancied l had seen in the tree;
and as was unable to settle to any oc-
cupation, saw everything secure and
went early to bed locking Arthur's bed
room and taking the key with me.
1t was long before l slept. When I
did, l was almost Immediately aroused by
a slight sound at my door. l asked who
was there. James voice answered in a
cautious whisper. Seeing something was
wrong rising, admitted her. No sooner
had she entered than, quickly closing, she
refastened the door, and exclaimed in
accents Of terror, "Oh, miss! what shall we
do? For mercy's sake, make no noise
don't get light. Burglars are breaking
into the house, and Pm sure Jenkins is
their accomplice."
'.Burglars!" | cried. Then the thoughts
OF the face flashed across me. "Gracious
powers!' exclaimed; "they are after the
Etchin Diamonds"
l saw it all. The greom's errand had
been OWNED, my brothers. absence was
known, and by jenkins treacherous aid,
the place was being attacked. I dropped
stunned, on the bed. Then 1 started up.
At any cost-even life-the diamonds en-
trusted to Arthur must be saved. Hurridly
l dressed, and while doing eo, heard the
soft sound of persons moving in the
house.
'Jane,,' said having explained all to
the faithful girl, 81 must get Sir Etchin's
diamonds.
"How, miss? 1fyou go into the passage
they will kill YOU"
True; therefore, / must get out by
the window. They will not hear, for they
believe the box is in the study, and it
will take them long to discover their
mistake"
Opening the window, got out on the
verandah. How fearfully 1t sloped! Could
1 do il? Yes,.by pressing my feet against
the gutter. Slowly went, foot by foot,
until l reached Arthur's window. My
heart leaped as found it unfastened.-
Quickly entered, opened and relocked
the ilon safe. and with the diamonds,
more slowly, and with greater difficulty,
returned.
Reaching my own room, 1 did not enter,
for what could twohelpless women do
against strong, evil men, bent on plunder?
Instead, ordered Jane to tear sheet
into shreds, having attached which to the
box. bade her lower it to me, after 1
had descended by the trellis.
She did as 1 directed; then, joining me,
we carrying the box between us, ran from
the house.
We had not gone half dozen yards be-
fore the dread of pursuit and having the
diamonds wrested from us, possessed me.
"Jane," said, "this will never do.
Let us make for the hollow oak. We
can put the box in that, they'll never
find it before help comes"
fastening in the direction together we