Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-04-26


said no more. He walked over to
his desk, for his rooms were befittingly
furnished, drew out his checkbook.
wrote me al order for $50, 900, handed
it to me and said:
"Now, old fellow, give me the quid
pro quo."
"There! That's mine" he added,
with glowing face, land it will take a
writ of certiorari from the supreme
court to draw it from ME. "
"Where will you keep it?'
II would let you have it until I
moved into the house, but for fear that
Mr.. Howard may come back and change
his mind. I may put it in tho safe
down stairs or take it to the bank or the
trust company, but since no one besides
yourself knows that I have it l will re-
tain it in my room for a day or two, go
as to have all the enjoyment with it
can
shook my head.
"Bad business. There's no saying
who may know or suspect the truth.
Remember that the man who put it III
my hands and certain woman stop
ping at this house bear the same name. "
"Nonsense!'' exclaimed my friend.
"There are 500 John Smiths in this city,
and yet not O tenth of them are aware
of the others existence. Simply. a coin-
cidence, that's all Itsignities nothing" D."
1t was a waste of time to discuss the
matter, and bidding my friend good
day went down town to my store.
Mr.. Darius G. Howard was there. He
was the same well dressed gentleman
as before and as smiling and suave in
his manner.
"I thought I would not wait quite as
long as 1 intended" he explained, "and
dropped in to hear whether you had any
news for me.
"The ruby has been sold for the price
you ask, and I have the check with me. "
He did not show the pleasure l ex-
pected, but acted as if he regretted what
had been done. He sighed and said, still
smiling:
81 thought of recalling my offer, the
price is so absurdly low, but the thing
having been done it must 80 at that
I will call tomorrow and settle with
you"
II can give you check now"
"It is not worth while. Suppose
drop in at 10. Will that suit your"
Perfectly. How do you pr"fer your
money-in bills or a check?''
"It will perhaps be better IT. money.
I have few acquaintances, and there
might be delay in obtaining the funds. "
"It shall be as you wish" "
"Thanks. Good day."
determined to have Carl Wittner in
the vicinity next day, for I was sure
there was need Of his services. To my
disappointment however, word came
from his home that evening that he was
ont of town and there was no saying
when he would be back. A similar re-
ply was returned from the central office.
Punctual to the minute my handsome,
we'll dressed East Indian presented him
self at the store the following day. l
had the money ready, done up in neat
packages, and counted it out to him.
At my request he recounted it and pro-
nounced it right to dollar. Then he
handed one.fifth of the amount back to
Inc. protested.
"Ten per cent is all can accept"
"But I insist. You have been so
prompt and businesslike that hope you
.,:n ,.ot ,oo,s;et ~
"But l must. I will retain $5, 600,
and now if you will oblige me by sign
ing this paper the account will be
closed"
He put on his eyeglasses and ex-
amined the receipt with much care. 1t
was simple, and no fault could be found
with it He took the pen held out and
wrote in clear, flowing script his name
at the bottom, Darius G. Howard. I"
Then lie offered his hand, repeated his
thanks bowed and passed out.
Iwuuld have given half my fee had
Wittner been within call that he might
have shadowed the man. Something
told me that trouble was coming, and
there was no one upon whom could
lean like my cool headed friend, the de-
tective. But for the moment he was be-
youd reach-that is. I supposed SO, but
such was not the fact
That afternoon, Immediately after
my return from my lunch, there was a
call at the telephone. l answered, and
the response was:
81 want John R. Brown, jeweler, of
- Maiden lane.
"That is my name. Who are you?"
"Geoffrey Sandhusen, Windsor ho-
TEL"
"All right. What can l do for you?"
"You remember the article l purchas-
ed of you yesterday"
"Of course"
"It was stolen from my room last
night
CHAPTER V.
Within the same hOur that received