Evening journal., 1892-09-14

20 eye my friend with q keenness that
took 60 indicate jealousy.
These arc al Indian stones" was
Birchmore's first remark There is not |
an American among them-or. stay !
What is tliisg neither an American Moran !
Indinn An African, ! declare. and one /
Of the finest have scent"
Der Herr hat Rechtr muttered Ru |
dolph with aglance at me. "Esverstch
ia alles.n
lyon know German? Ho says what |
you don't know aSont diamonds isn't |
worth knowing" | put in Birchmore |
nodded with q half smilo.
Il ought TO know something about
precious stones, he said IL spent three |
years in diamond mino for one thing
He seemed on the point Of saying more.
but checked himself, and went on scruti- |
nizing the stones. most of which were
already in their new setting. "A costly |
parure. that he remarked at length
1t wouldn't sell for penny under
thirty thousand pounds"
give hundred and eighty-ive thou
sand francs. with the setting" replied
Rudolph, TO whom tho words had been
addressed. "Monsieurs estimate would
have been correct but that this stone
here Is little of color and this ono has
slight flaw. which is now in part con
cealed by tho setting"
you travel under proper precautions
trusty said Dirchmoro after pause.
turning gravely to me- 81 know the
confidence you young fellows have in
your courage and cleverness. but "a dozen
or score OF thieves might conspire to
gcther for such q prize as this. and
against their skill and address no single
man would stand chance. Ali / know
something OF it. was robbed once"
DO tell me about it, / exclaimed.
with an impulsive betrayal of interest
that made me smile the next moment
Another time" said he, shaking his
head: and presently he added. "You will
pardon me for presmning to counsel
your
"My dear sir, am much obliged to
you My idea is that the simplest pre-
cautions are the best. shall carry the
stones in an inner pocket and | shall go
armed No one will suspect me, and if
( am attacked | shall make good de-
Il tense at all events.
Mr. Birchmore said nothing more, aSl
/ indeed seemed scarcely 10 listen to my
remarks. now suggested to him that
ne might show Rudolph his ring. lie
/ put his hand TO bis waistcoat pocket and
1 gave IA half suppressed ejaculation Of dis
appointment and annoyance He had
1 eft the ring at homel
mo matter; / win call tomorrow.
Herr Rudolph" no observed. I've no
loubt / shall find what l want here. If
anywhere Good morning-that is, II
/ you are ready, Mr. Gainsborough9 By
tho way. Rudolph, | suppose you put
I your treasures in a safe at nigh2"
"Oh, by all means, Herr, replied the
little Saxon "And have a Waterman
also, who guards all night long
"a prudent fellow; yes, that win do, =
murinured Mr.. Birchmoro in an under
Joue to himself Then. with a parting
nod and smile. to which the jewelcr did
rot respond. ho sauntered out, / follow.
NJ him. We walked back to the hotel
4 did not zee him again until after din
ner, when be offered me a cignr. and
when we had smoked together awhile in
: silence he said abruptly:
i've found that stone
4 looked ut him inquiringly.
THE diamond out Of my ring. In my
trousers pocket. of all places in tho world
I Fell out while | was cropping for my
& keys. suppose. Sorry to have raised
false hopes In your friend Rudolph By
the way, he'll have finished that job Of
Z yours before very long
I "ln about a week. fancy. shall b,
sorry TO leave Paris
"Yesy Well, it is a nice place; but
one gets tired OF the incest places II
time do. like to DO moving
Il shall have a month to spend on my
way 10 Rome This is almost my frs
experience Of the Continent / wish
had some travelling companion whC
knew the ropes" This hint let fall il
the hope that no might propose TO joii
me, but as he made no rejoinder ! a
( length vcntured to put it moro plainly
gave rough sketch of the route pro
posed to follow, asked his opinion upoi
it and finally said that should his in
clination lead him also in that direction
| should be very glad OF his company.
well. sir. I'm obliged to YOU" re
piled Mr.. Birchmore after pause o
! Home moments. "You couldn't pay
man q better compliment than to asl
| him to travel with you; and would &C
cept Your offer rs frankly and fearlessl,
] Is you make it, only-well, the fact is
I I'm not 50 entirely at my own dispose
MS may appear to you to be. | hay
been through a good many experience
! in life, and some of the consequences ar
upon me still When you have reaches
my age-if you ever do reach it--yo
will understand me better. | suppoao
may DO fifteen years your senior; well
fifteen years means good deal-a goo
deal He pulled a medltative cloud O
two and then added. You're not hurt
You see how it is? l would really Xix
to accompany you-but can't"
OF course warmly disavowed all rC
sentiment, and felt inwardly ashamed G
? having forced him. by tho freedom q
p my advances, into making this explains
, ton. Meanwhile, could not help lii
q 4 inrr him, l.ntfnr than ever and faplin