San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-06-09
CHAPTER II.

49, - $780,
'It is a strange story, but l tell you
the truth. Mana did not flee until the
year after the Cawnpur massacre, and
it was 23 years later that l met one Of
the spies who was with him. He was
an old man, living in the sacred city Of
Benares, on the Ganges. He was at the
point of death when l helped-being a
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 plaC
We returned from our bootless erranu.
and he died a 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 I went back with a
single companion, a native like myself
Of the country"
He paused long enough for me to re-
mark:
"Then 80 years must have passed
since the death of Mana"
Fully that, and not a vestige Of his
rags or bones was left. How could I
hope to discover the gem? There was no
reason to believe l would, but all such
great finds, as you know, are the result
Of chance. l knew where to look for it,
and l kept up the hunt for weeks until
stricken with fever and so emaciated
that I could barely stand. My compan-
ion did not fall i'll, and my spirit enabled
me to search wen when my brain was
burning with delirium-
lone 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.
II do not remember clearly what took
place until l reached Bareilly. was
i'll most of the time. My companion
tried to take the ruby from me, but did
not succeed. When I returned to my
friends, l came alone"
No need of more particulars on that
point. l could picture the fearful strug-
gle between those two men for the pos
session of a jewel worth a princes ran
som. The 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 a conflict at all? Was
not this man now in my presence a
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. l 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 n Of them, and your fee shall be a
liberal one."
"You have not set a price, provided
l find a customer, which is exceedingly
doubtful"
What do you esteem it WORTH"
Il must decline to say. When you
pass a certain point with the diamond
or ruby, there is no rule by which its
value can be determined. 1t is purely
fancy"
"If you wish me to name my price, ]
will say $50, 000."
l was astonished again, and an un,
easy suspicion took possession of me, 6
suspicion which l could not define. But
1 felt there was something uncanny anG
unnatural about the whole business.
The price he had set was barely one
tenth of the ruby's real value. believed
more than II crowned person in Eu
rope would pay at least $3.50, 900 t.
become its owner. The thought tina
such a bargain was probable half de
oided me to make the purchase myself.
II read your surprise, " he said, will
that winning courtesy which had i'm
pressed me at the opening of our inter
view. II know that it is worth a grea
deal more than that, but the sum
name is one which few people will pa,
for a luxury Of that sort. It is-enougl
for me. When shall I call?"
Suppose you say toward the end o
the week. 1 will give you a receipt"
1T is not necessary. Your reputation
is a guarantee that my property is SAT
in your hands"
But 1 prefer that you should holc
my receipt"
81 am satisfied. Why should You no
ber"
And despite my half angry protes
he took up his umbrella, and with tn
smile revealing his white teeth behinc