The Dickinson press., 1892-06-25
THE GREAT nESPER,
TALE OF A BIG DIAMOND.
How an Immense Gem Was Lost,
Recovered. ana Lost Again.
CHAPTER Nv.

l learned that one OF the best fruit
farms in the State was to be
sold. 1t lay in Elysium Valley, about
twelve miles back OF San Diego
City, and was the property OF Col
onel Kinks. On hearing this, l hired
a horse at once, and rodeto the estate.
The road ran between irrigated plan
tations OF lemons, ~citrons, oranges,
and other fruit that perfumed the air;
the higher slopes were covered with
vines. In the distance before me were
the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra
Nevada, and turning in my saddle as
| assembled the Gent!erise on which the
house stood, my eyes we're dazzled
with the beatty OF San Diego Bay.
Tho mouse was large and we'll built,
i'll the Italian style,-a style not UNI
suited to that unclouded sky, and the
surrounding scenery. The view from
the bclvidcre was indescribabiy beauti-
full, and indeed justified the,high sound
ing name given to the valley it oyer
looked.
There were flowers everywhere
about and around the house; they
iestooncd the terrace fronting the
facade; they hung from the windows;
they edged the paths; they even
twined from bough to bouah OF the
great c.dar that lent shade to the
lawn.
'Ihis is q house worthy OF Edith"
/ thought. ooh that it may bemineto
offer her."
1t would be time wasted to enter
t,Ns -. S,,1- ~, 1910 ~
Colonel Kinks. Suffice it to say that
my ardent wish was realized, and that,
in less than Il month from my arriving
i'll San Diego, | entered into possession
of.the beautiful property. Doubtless it
was Il hazardous undertaking for one
who knew nothing whatever OF the
business: but what hazard
is too great Tor q man
whose object is to win the he
loves? That the money | invested was
o my own, did not lessen the risk |
ran. but increased ii: for, unless |
could show reasonable probability
OF repaying Sir Edmund's loan, |
could not demand Edith's hand.
However, had every reason to be-
i;eve that Colonel links was Il gentle
man, and an honest and conscientious
business man: added to this, | had
confidence i'll my own perseverance,
energy and strength, and that buoy
ant Keeling OF hope with which near
lyevery one who breathes the healthful
air of this delightful continent seems
to be inspired.
Early in November, received a let
ter from Sir E,lmnul AMONGST othar
things, he wrote:
"lTie robbery is still a
mystery. ito me it is a
greater mystery than ever. Van
Hoeck has taken lodgings in the
village. have met him twice in the
woods. a wild, deplorable object, and,
indeed, p!tiable, ii one may doubt his
completely in the robbery. Once he
was upon his HANDS and knees, crop
ing amongst the ferns, as ii he ex-
pected to find there the lost diamond;
but he chooses the night Tor these e3-
peditions,-probably because heis'then
less open to observation. The keepers
tell methat he passes the whole night,
and every night, in this hopeless
search. Why ON earth should he do
this, ii he and Brace got possession
OF the diamond, as we SUPPOSE"
In a postscript, he added, "Mr.
Furnival, dating from Haxels
Hotel, London, wrote, asking
me for your address. | replied that
you were ut San Diego, California"
The news with regard to Van Hoeck
did not add greatly to the mystery in
which this strange man was involved;
but the postscript was q new source
of perplexity to me. ! knew no one of
the name OF Furnival; l could not re-
collect having spoken to any one of
Sir Edmund while | was in London.
How, then, could this Mr.. Furnival
have known where to apply for nv
address? | expected u letter from him
to clear up this matter; but no letter
came.
A few days later, l received q letter
addressed to me at Monkey Abbey,
and re-addressed in Sir Edmund's
hand. Turning to the signature, 1
dated October 18th, Petersville, Ne
vada County. The Judge, then, was
in California, within a days journey
OF me. was not surprised at this,
knowing his partially for the State;
but 1T was irreconcilable with the sup
position that he and Van Hoeck had
the diamond. He wrote thus:
81 rite these lines fur to show where
l am lokated, and likewise that Ihave
not slinSed off like a thief in the night
to hide my lites under q bushel. If
things amt no forarder than they
was III the direction OF clearin' up
what's become of the Great Hesper,
they amt anyways no backarder.
1T no use promisin' without
you are got it right inter yer to
perform, but I will allow that
l amt goin' to chuck up the cards be-
lore I've made you shake my hand
and acknowledge I've played square.
The Kid is frettin', and things in
genial is not lively with your pardner,
"Jos BRACE"
dld not reply to this letter. I
heard again from Sir Edmund at the
end OF November. lie felicitated me
heartily upon the purchase I had
made, and added the warmest wishes
tor my success.
He continued;
"Thank you for Braces letter. The
tone OF it would lead one to imagine
not onlythat he knows where the dia-
mond is, but has a strong belief in his
power to recover it! One can not
possibly believe that it was he who
robbed and attempted to murder
you. But whom Ire we to suspect, if
not him? II he were not guilty, why
should he try to conceal the leather
case which might lead to Its recovery?
THERE'S a fascination in this subject
which overcomes my wish to drop it.
1t is like the fifteen puzzle that drove