The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1889-09-28
The Orange Diamond.
By NJ. BATHURST DEANE

third class passenger, sitting opposite.
He remained very quiet, but at the next
station, St. James, got out while was
reading the paper; but as he passed lie
said those identical words, Where is
JimT see. If it had not been for two
or three men getting in there, he would
have attempted to stitle me, or give me
blow on the head, for he had bag of
tools or something of the sort with him.
He'd lost his opportunity, and so tried
again. But how in fortunes name did
he get in here:"
"Hc must have bribed some onc," said
Nora. Now we must lose no time in
setting the detective on the track, though
cannot think what he was about to let
such a thing happen. He is not much
good"
Her husband rucfully told her of Sir
Mrredith's suspicious. "Oh, it is plot"
she exclaimed; "those two are accom-
plices. Now had better 80 home, and
you and Sir Meredith Walton put your
sapient heads together over this affair"
AS this was clearly the best plan, lie
saw her safely off, and then sought Sir
Meredith The news that the great
Orange diamond had been stolen had
meanwhile spread abroad, and lie was
brset with questions and offers of assist
anCr.
Nora could not think of going to bed,
and although saying to herself that it
was Il foolish thing to do, considering all
the circumstances. sat down to write a
long letter to that wandering Jim oil
the other side of the Atlantic Their re-
latlons had become genuinely fratcrnal
since those ridiculous happy old days,
and she left the cover open in order to
put in the latest intelligence of the dia-
mond and a kind message from Roland
While waiting for the carriage, her
husband had added one more touch to
the strange tanglo that had the Orange
diamond for its central clew. That panied
wistful query, "Wherc is Jim:" had
struck the chord of an old memory in
him also. His cousin Jim Larose had
been his earliest, his favorite companion.
He and Jim had run evenly i'll the favor
and affection of old Aunt Sabina, who
had quarreled about the spoilt ducks
her prize, pampered ducks. Jim had
been idle and cxtravagant, spoilt us a
boy, unable to learn that this world was
not made expressly for his benefit; final
ly, after many wanderings. had Eccn
last heard of at Cape Town. After that
a long silence.
Roland resolved that the very next day
he would write kindly to poor old Aunt
Sabina, and put OH foot proper inquiries
after the missing Jim
Sir Meredith Walton was not man
to lose an important moment. Minutes
count in such case as this almost as
they do in getting out n fire engine. Roy
atty having checked the exit of Mr.. Ga,ld,
"the detective" heand Ii Che arrived at
the entrance door at the same instant.
Mr.. Gadd sauntered towards the wide
open door, his crush hat in his hand, and
threaded his way through the loungcrs
that swarned about it. An orange girl had
edged SO close that pecrng forward she
could look we'll into tho antc-room of that
world of color and brilliancy, where the
ladies were beautiful wax dolls, and the
gc,itiamcn's hair was parted SO nicely.
The blazing light strcamed into the open
air and showed upthe dark, round. bold
face, and basket of bright oranges. Mr..
Gadd addressed her in tone half per-
emptory, half good naturcd
Come" he said. this is pretty impu-
dent of you wrigsling in here: now run
away, my good girl"
She answered him s:ucily, and hc cas-
ually took M orange in each hand, and
played with them, while IL brief fire of
chatf was exchanged. Suddenly llegre
tired of it, tossed back the oranges. and
putting on his overcoat slipped out.
Lii Che had seen his master in hat and
overcoat close by. Not glance passed
between them; the Chinaman followed
the detective, and once, in the deep shad-
ows of Exhibition road, turned his lead
to see if lie was, as he expected, also ."
tho tsack Of Mr.. Gadd, but Sir Meredith
was nowhere to be seen.
That gentleman had followed. with his
peculiarly swift, quiet stride, the very
ordinary figure Of the orange girl, who
was swinging along il business Hike
fashion down the Cromwell road. AZ
he passed her he was STOPPING to light
his cigar. His long arm, bent for this
purpose, came in sudden contact with
the girls shoulder; she reeled and spake
out her wrath; lie clutched at her and
the basket, and stood somewhat absurd
| spectacle with three or four of the or
anges in his hands, his unlit cigar be-
tween his teeth.
"Thev were nearly all upset" lie re-
marked calmly; II must apologize for
my awkwardness Let me assist you.
He pockcted the fruit he held, and stoop-
ed with swift long armed movement
to gather up those two or three that had
rolled out. The girl stared wildly at
him and fell into storm of abuse. He
pulled half a crown out of his pocket,
looked at it deliberately, while she was
demanding her property back with every
ugly word she could command.
The even tramp of a policeman be-
came audible. In an instant the girl
changed her tone, burst out cry
ing. implored his honor not to
rob poor hard working girl, de-
clared that her whole basket was sold
already, and that she dared not part with
| hA'.' oA ITO SctlClllo. A1dh1 T., lAoAA ~ S"AAAS
the heavy tread nearer and nearer. Sud-
denly the girl flung away her basket,
the oranges ran in a golden shower
across the pavement, and she shot off
like an arrow.
Sir Meredith shouted like stentor to
the policeman, who started in pursuit.
sounding his whistle the while.
"Has telegram arrived for Sir Mere
dith Walton:' Col Cannock was anx-
iously asking at that moment.
NO, sir-oll, here it is,' the missive
from Mr.. Martin was put into his hand,
which shook little as he tore it open
eve employed no detective; am COM
ing at once"
All that Col. Cannock could do now,
having telegraphed to the police centers
already, was to await the arrival Of Mr..
| Martin, who came as fast as cab could
convey him, sprang out looking very
pale, and had his worst fears confirmed
| on tho nstapt