The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16

catch, nOiselessly opened the WINDOW
and thrust his head out. In the light OF
lamp which projected from the bricR
wall at the other end of the alley he
saw figure below.
| "Halloa" he said, harshly.
| His voice drowned the noise.
What do you want?" he yelled.
''Hulloa, there! What do you want, l
say?"
The knocking ceased, and the figure
stepping back little, looked up at
the window.
"Ccme down and open the door, said
voice which the pawnbroker recog-
nized as the sailors.
Go away" he said, in a low. stern
voice. do you want to rouse the
neighborhood?
Come down and let me in." said the
other. It's for your own good. You're
dead man if you don't.
Impressed by his manner, the pawn
broker, afterbidding him shortly not
to make any more noise, lit his lamp
and dressing hurriedly, took the light
in his hand and went grumbling down.
staiGs into the shop.
Now. what do you want?" he said
through the door.
LET me in and I'll tell yOu." said
the other, "or I'll bawl it through the
keyhole, If you like
Placing the candle on the counter, he
drew back the heavy bolts and eau
tiously opened the door The seaman
stepped in, as the other closed the door,
vaulted on to the counter and sat there
with his legs dangling.
That's right" he said. nOdding ap-
provingly in the direction of the pro-
prietor's right hand. Il hope you know
how to use it."
What do you want? p" demanded the
hind him. What time O night do you
call this for turning respectable men
out of their beds?"
II didn't come for the pleasure O. ese-
ing your pretty face again. You can
bet" said the seaman, carelessly. ut 5
good nature what's brought me here.
What have you done with the dia-
mOnd:s
That's my business" said the other.
what do you want
Il told you sailed in five days said
the seaman. Well. I got another ship
this evening instead. and l sail at sly
a, m. Things are getting lust bit
too thick for me, an I thought out o.
pure good nature I'd stay arounc and
put YOU on your guard"
why didn't you do so at first" said
the proprietor. eying his suspiciOusly
We'll, ! didn't want to spoil bar
gain" said the seaman. carelessly
Maybe you wouldn't have bought the
stone If 7 had told you. Mind that
thing don't go off; I don't want to rob
you. Point 1t the other way
There was four of us in the DEAL"
he continued, after the other had COM
piled with his request. Me an Jack
Ball and JOsey Wheeler and a Burmese
chap: the last l see o. Jack ball he was
quiet and peaceful, with knife stick
ing In his chest. II l hadn't been a
very careful man I'd have one sticking
in mine. II you amt a very careful
man, and do what tell you, you'll have
one sticking in yours"
Speak little more plainly" said the
other. Come into the parlor; / don't
want the police to see a light in the
shop"
I'VE stole it," said the seaman. as he
followed the other into the little back
parlor. "the four of u.s. from"
L don't want to know anything about
that, interrupted the other. hastily.
The sailor grinned appreciatingly.
and continued: Then me an Jack. be-
ing stronger than them, we took it
from them two. but they got level with
poor Jack. blast 'em. I shipped before
the mast on bark. and they came over
by steamer and waited for me-"
We'll, you're not afraid of them"
said the proprietor, interrogatively.
Besides. a word to the police"
Telling 'em all about the diamond"
said the seaman. "Oh, yes. well. you
can do that now II you feel so inclined
They know all about that. bless you,
and, If they were had, they'd blab about
the diamond"
Have they been dogging you?" in
quired the pawnbroker.
"Dogging mel" said the seaman.
"Dogging's no word for it. Wherever
I've been they've been my shadders.
They want to hurt me. but they're cara
full about being hurt themselves. That's
where I have the pull of them. They
want the stone back first. and revenge
afterward, so / thought I'd put you on
your guard. for they pretty well guess
who's got the thing now. You'll know
Wheeler by his nose, which Is broken"
I'm not afraid of them" said the
pawnbrOker; but thank you for tell
ing me. Did they follow you here?"
They're outside. I've no doubt" said
the other: but they come along like
human cats-leastways. the Burmah
chap does. You want eyes in the back
of your head for them almost. The
Burmese is an old man and soft as vel
vet. and Jack Ball just afOre he died
was going to tell me something about
him. don't know what 1t was: but
poor Jack. he was a superstitious sort
o. chap. and I know II was something
horrible. He was as brave as a lion,
was Jack, bu he was afraid o. that
little shrivelsd-p Burmese. They'll
follow me to the ship tonight. II they'll
only come close enough. and there's
nobody nigh, I'll do Jack a good turn"