Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-05-01
VOLUME Al.
CHAPTER VI

Wittner il that slow, exasperating way
Of his, "tut Mrs Howard is still beyond
the confines of the state, unless che has
returned this afternoon.
Glow can you know that?" ] de-
manded.
"Let it suffice for the present that I
do know it."
'Then it was Howard who stole the
ruby?"
Wittner without removing his cigar
slowly swayed his head and smiled as
before.
"It couldn't have been he, for he
was with Mrs. Howard. Neither Of
them was in the city after o'clock yes
terday afternoon. They went away to-
gether, and think she is still across the
river in the sovereign state Of New Jer-
sey."
My friend doubtless enjoyed the Won
derment his words caused, and perhaps
he was not censurable for wishing to
extract some entertainment at my ex-
pense. He crossed his legs, and through
the smoke Of his cigar looked ut me with
that chronic smile which it seemed
would never leave his face. I was an
noyed that he should be SO cool and
seemingly Indifferent.
waited minute Or two for him to
add something in the way Of explana-
ton, but he did not, and continued:
"Mr. Howard called this morning,
and I paid him the price, $4,000, for
the ruby
Exactly. He offered you $40, 900 as
your commission. but you refused and
took only s., 900, which isn't bonus to
be desired. You spoke of paying him
with check, but he preferred the funds
themselves, and you let him have them. "
"Did he tell you this::" I asked in as
tonishment.
"Mr. Darius G. Howard Of London
and 7 have never exchanged word. "
"Then it is impossible'-
"Faugh! Brown, don't make an ass
of yourself. 1 walked by the store three
times this morning while the transac-
tion was going on"
''But you couldn't have heard word
that passed"
"My eyes were my ears, as they
would have been with any one. You had
told me the price he asked for the ruby.
saw him proffer you something. You
shook your head and returned him part
of the bills. That, Of course, was because
your sense of honor would not let you
accept the fee he offered. Ten thousand
dollars is about the sum grateful man
would offer you for such favor as you
had done him. Half Of that was what
you would accept. Which is ali there is
In that
"But-but how came you to be in
front Of my store at the timer"
81 was satisfied that Mr.. Howard
would not wait till the end Of the week
before calling to learn about the sale of
the ruby. ! was on the other side Of the
street an hour before he showed up.
Had be not done so would have staid
in the neighborhood all day and would
have been Oh hand tomorrow and SO on
until he did appear. Fortunately I was
not kept waiting long"
was still mystifed.
81 received word from your homo and
from headquarters that you were alb
sent and your family did not know
when you would return"
''They never do, because don't know
myself. 1t wasn't necessary to let any
one, not even you, know that the bust
ness which took me away was that
which related to the Mana Sahib's ruby.
Nevertheless it was the fact"
"Ah, then, you took hold Of this
matter from the first without consult
ing me or any one?"
Wittner, who had done so much
swaying of his head, now gave it sim
gle inclination. He had been Sin it''
from the first.
'Then you suspected something
wrong?"
"Well," he replied more thoughtful
ly, "the histories of all great gems like
the Kohinoor, the Pitt diamond, Mana
Sahib's ruby and others are tragedies.
Whenever you see a man in the posses
sion Of such prize you may make up
your mind that beyond and behind his
possession are crime, murder and rob-
berry. Such is the fact regarding this
ruby, for the man who fed to the Him
alayas generation ago with it in his
turban was one of the fercest fiends
that ever lived.
"When therefore this ruby-for still
believe it is the same-turns up in your
store in the possession of an East In
dian, it is proof that the gem has re-
sumed its course Of melting to crime. I
set out to learn what I could about it
and so far have learned nothing"
"But you have ascertained something
about the two persons concerned with
it?'
"Precious little. I believe that the
handsome man and the beautiful wom-
an are husband and wife, though why
they should go to different hotels and
hail from widely separated points Of
Europe is beyond my comprehension.
After the husband called yesterday to
inquire about the ruby he walked up
Maiden lane to Broadway and then to
the Astor House, where he went to his