The Irish standard., 1892-10-08

whether he were Catholic or atheist
hardly whether be were rich or poor.
Some shadow of grief. some incubus of
fear or calamity seemed to overwhelm
him and impose silence. The most
could do was to draw differences, and
my inference was that he was bach
elor, millionaire, skeptic and a man
who at some period Of his life had COM
mitted. either deliberately or by force
of circumstances, terrible cri1nel You
will see presently how far my estimate
was from the truth, OF how near to it.
However, AIN anticipating, as it is
We arrived in due time at Rudolph's
little shop and introduced him to
Birchmore. had previously told the
latter about my diamonds and now
made Rudolph produce them The man
Of the world examined the gems with
evident interest and with knowledge
of their value and qualities which sur
prised me and caused the little jeweler
to eye my friend with keenness that
took to indicate jealousy.
''These are all Indian stones" was
Birchmore's first remark. There is not
an American among then-or. stay!
What is this? neither an American nor an
Indian! An African, | declare, and one
Of ta4 finest have Scent"
der Herr hat Recht!" muttered Ru-
ia allies
You know German? He says what
you don't know about diamonds isn't
worth knowing" rut in. Birchmore
nodded with a half smile.
II ought to know something about
precious stones" he said. II spent three
years in diamond mine for one thing"
He seemed on the point of saying more,
but checked himself. and went on scruti-
nizing the stones, most OF which We're
already in their new setting. "A costly
parure. that he remarked at length.
st wouldn't sell for a penny under
thirty thousand pounds.
Five hundred and eighty-five thou
sand francs, with the setting replied
Rudolph, to whom the words had been
addressed. "Monsieur's estimate would
have been correct but that this stone
here is little off color and this one has
a slight flaw, which is now in part con-
cealed By the setting
You travel under proper precautions,
trust said Birchmore after pause.
turning gravely to me. II know the
confidence you young fellows have in
your courage and cieverness, but dozen
Or a score Of thieves might conspire to-
gether for such a prize as this, and
against their skill and address no single
,nan would stand chance. All! | know
something of it, | was robbed once.
do tell me about it," ! exclaimed,
with an in,pulsive betrayal Of interest
that made me smile the next moment.
Another time said he, shaking his
head: and presently he added. ~ on will
pardon me for presuming to counsel
your
MY dear sir, / arn much obliged to
YOU. My idea is that the simplest pre-
cautions are the best. i.shall carry the
stones in an inner pocket and shall 60
armed. No one will suspect me. and if
| ann attacked shall make good de-
Tense at all events"
MIR. Birchmore said nothing more, and
indeed seemed scarcely to listen to my
remarks now suggested to him that
he might show Rudolph his ring. He
put his hand TO his waistcoat pocket and
gave half suppressed ejaculation Of dis
appointment and annoyance. He had
left the ring ut home!
mo matter: will call tomorrow,
Herr Rudolph" be observed. 'rve no
doubt shall find what want here. If
anywhere. Good morning that is. if
you are ready, Mr.. Gainsborough? By
the way, Rudolph. suppose you put
your treasures in a safe at night?
''Oh, by all means, Herr replied the
little Saxon. And | have d Waterman
also, who guards all night long.
"a prudent Fellow: yes. that will do
murmured Mr. Birchmore in an under
tone to himself Then, with g, parting
nod and smile, to which the jeweler did
not respond, he sauntered ont, follow
ing him. We walked back to the hotel.
did not see him again until after dim
ner, when be offered me cigar, and
when we had smoked together awhile in
silence he said abruptly:
1--WE found that stone
looked at him inquiringly.
THE diamond out of my ring. In my
trousers pocket, of all places in the world!
Fell out while | was cropping for my
keys, suppose, Sorry to have raised
false hopes III your friend Rudolph. By
the way, he'll have finished that job of
yours before very long
"ln about week, | fancy. | shall be
sorry to leave Paris.
*'Yess Well. it is a nice place; but
one gets tired of the incest places in
time. dc. ! like to be moving"
Il shall have month to spend on my
way to Rome This is almost my first
experience Of the Continent. wish
had some travelling companion who
knew the ropes" This hint let fall in
the hope that he might propose to join
1ne, but as he made no rejoinder | at
length ventured to put it more plainly.
gave rough sketch of the route pro-
posed to follow asked his opinion upon
\ i