Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-04-24
CHAPTER II.


preston Oh my face.
"It is strange story, but tell you
the truth Mana did not fee until the
year after tho Cawnpur massacre, and
it was % years later that met one of
the spies who was with him. He was
sn old man, living in the sacred city OF
Benares, on the Ganges He was at the
point Of death when I helped-being
physician-to bring him back to life. He
told me the story and volunteered to
show me the path to the spot where his
master died. But though he led the way
to the neighborhood he either could
not or would not take me to the place
We returned from our bootless errand,
and he died few years later. His Sc
cret was buried with him."
The speaker paused and changed his
lolling attitude Noting my interest, he
resumed:
II knew that when Mana Sahib en-
tered those jungles the great ruby was
in his turban, and if the spot could be
found where he died there would be
found the gem which l have brought to
you. Five years ago went back with a
single companion, native like myself
of the country"
He paused long enough for me to re-
mark:
"Then 30 years must have passed
since the death of Mana. ="
"Fully that, and not vestige Of his
rags or bones was left. How could
hope to discover the gem? There was no
reason to believe would, but all such
great finds, as you know, are the result
of chance. l knew where to look for it,
and I kept up the hunt for weeks until
stricken with fever and so emaciated
that could barely stand. My compan-
ion didnot fall i'll, and my spirit enabled
me to search even when my brain was
burning with delirium.
Zone night when the moon was shin
ing bright and I was cropping over the
spot where had at last tumbled down,
unable to walk, I reached out my hand
and clutched the ruby Of Mana Sahib. "
The speaker was now greatly excited
and would have said no more had not
asked him to finish his story.
81 do not remember clearly what took
place until reached Bareilly. was
ill most of the time My companion
tried to take the ruby from me, but did
not succeed. When returned to my
friends, I came alone"
No need of more particulars on that
point. I could picture the fearful strug-
gle between those two men for the pos
session of jewel worth princes ran
som. Tie presence Of this man before
me showed who was conqueror.
Who knows that it was not his COM
panion that made the find? Who can
say what the nature of that struggle
was? Was there conflict at all? Was
not this man now in my presence d
murderer?
. But why speculate? He was the only
living witness, and no one could unseal
his lips
Pardon my agitation, he said, rap
idly regaining his self poise, "but you
can comprehend the reason. I have
given you the true story of Mana Sahib's
ruby. I bring it to You, hoping that
among your many millionaires in this
city you may find a purchaser for me.
True, the ruby is valuable, but Of itself
it is neither meat nor drink, and what
good can it bring me? Icannot afford to
keep it. There are those who can. Find
me one Of them, and your fee shall be a
liberal one.
"You have not set price, provided
I find customer, which is exceedingly
doubtful.
"What do you esteem it worth?"
II must decline to say. When you
pass certain point with the diamond
or ruby, there is no rule by which it's
value can be determined. 1t is purely
fancy"
"If you wish me to name my price, I
will say $500
I was astonished again, and an un-
easy suspicion took possession of me, a
suspicion which could not define. But
I felt there was something uncanny and
unnatural about the whole business
The price he had set was barely one
tenth of the ruby real value. believed
more than one crowned person in Eu-
rope would pay at least $3.50, 900 to
become its owner. The thought that
such a bargain was probable half de-
oided me to make the purchase myself.
81 read your SURPRISE" he said, with
that winning courtesy which had i'm
pressed me at the opening of our inter-
view. II know that it is worth great
deal more than that, but the sum l
name is one which few people will pay
for luxury of that sort. It is enough
for me. When shall call?'
Suppose you say toward the end of
the week. I will give you receipt" "
''It is not necessary. Your reputation