Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-06-23
THE GREAT HESPER.
TALE OF A BIG DIAMOND.
How an Immense Gem Was Lost,
Recovered, and Lost Again.
CHAPTER XIV.

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, I hired
horse at once, and rode to 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 were dazzled
with the beatty OF San Diego Bay.
The house was large and we'll built,
in the Italian style,-a style not un-
suited to that unclouded sky, and the
surrounding scenery. The view from
the belvidere was indescribably beauti-
full, and indeed justified the,high sound
ing name given to the valley it oyer
looked.
There we're flowers everywhere
about and around the house; they
festooned the terrace fronting the
facade; they hung from the windows;
they edged the paths; they even
twined from bough to boueh OF the
great ,~;dar that lent shade to the
lawn.
''This is house worthy OF Edith, I"
thought. ooh that it may be mine to
offer her!'
1t would be time wasted to enter
into my business transactions with
Colonel Kinks. Suffice it to say that
my ardent wish was realized, and that,
in less than month from my arriving
in San Diego, entered into possession
orthe beautiful property. Doubtless it
was a hazardous undertaking for one
who knew nothing whatever OF the
business: but what hazard
is too great for man
whose object is to win the woman he
loves? That the money l invested was
not my own, did not lessen the risk I
ran, but increased it; for, unless 1
could show a reasonable probability
of repaying Sir Edmund's loan, 1
could not demand Edith's hand.
However, had every reason to be-
lieve that Colonel links was a gentle
man, and an honestand conscientious
business man; added to this, l had
confidence in 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 ms pired.
Early in November, I received a let.
ter from Sir Edmund. Amongst other
things, he wrote:
1.-The robbery is still a
mystery. - to me it is a
greater mystery than ever. Van
Hoeck has taken lodgings in the
village. l have met him twice in the
woods. a wild, deplorable object, and,
indeed, pitiable, ii one may doubt his
completely in the robbery. Once he
was upon his hands and knees, crop
pected to find there the lost diamond;
but he chooses the night for these e1-
peditions,-probably becauseheis hen
less open to observation. The keepers
tell ME that he passes the whole nj ght,
and every night, in this hopeless
search. Why on earth should he do
this, if he and Brace got possession
of the diamond, as we SUPPOSE"
In postscript, he added, "Mr.
Furnlval, dating from Haxel's
Hotel, London, wrote, asking
me for your address. Ireplied that
you were at 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 a new source
OF perplexity to me. knew no one OF
the name Of Furnval; I 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 my
address? expected letter from him
to clear up this matter; but no letter
came.
A few days later, received a letter
addressed to me at Monkey Abbey,
and re-addressed in Sir Edmund's
hand. Turning to the signature, l
found it was from Brace. 1t was
dated October 18th, Petersvile, 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 it 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
I am lokated, and likewise that Ihave
not slinked of like thief in the night
to hide my lites under q bushel If
things amt no forarder than they
was in the direction of clearin' up
what's become OF the Great Hesper,
they amt anyways no backarder
"It amt no use promisin' without
YOU are got it right inter yer to
perform, but will allow that
amt goin' to chuck up the cards be-
fore 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"
did not reply to this letter. I
heard again from Sir Edmund at the
end of November. He felicitated me
heartily upon the purchase l had
made, and added the warmest wishes
for my success.