The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-14
PART III.


the door occasionally, TO see that things
~er all right. 1t was quite new de-
narn IRE for the proprietor TO leave his
parIo. To stranger, and the assistant
feIt sense Of responsibility so great
that IL was a positive relief to him when
his mn tier returned. accompanied by
another mnn.
.This L my friend" said the propri-
etor. as hey entered the parlor and
closed the door. "You might let him
see the stor e"
The seam IN took off hissbelt again,
and placing in his hand held ii before
the stranger who, making no attempt
to take it, turn ed itover with his finger
and examined /, u critioally.
"Are you goin gto~seaagain just yet?"
he inquired, soft ly.
Thursday mig. ht,~ said the seaman.
"Five hundred is mw price; p'raps no
told YOU. I'm mott going to haggle."
Just so, tust so." said the other,
quietly. TITS worth fFe hrEndred."
spoke like nana ",said the,seaman.
warmly.
.Tlike TO deal with aaman'who knows
his own mind" SAID the strtnger; at
saves trouble. But five buy il for that
amount you mast do one thing for us.
Keep quiet and don't touch drop of
liquor until you sail, aladnot a,word to
anybody"
"You needn't be afraidsof' hetlicloer."
said the sailor, grtmly. "Isshan'tstouch
that for my owr saloe.i'
sgrf- rosx
pawnbroker.
"He,s not said the seaman, hndig-
nanfly.
"Why won't yomdrink, ,,thenD' ''taslSed
the other man.
Fancy said theiseanan, dpyly, and
closed his mouth.
Without another word the stranger
turned to Ghe pawnbroker, who, taking
a poclsexboolr from his coat. counted the
amount in notes. These, aster the sailor
had examined them in every possible
manner, he rolled up and put In his
pockot. then without anot4sr word he
took osIt the diamond again and laid IL
silently on the table. The pawnbroker,
his fingers trembling with eagerness,
took it up and examined it delightedly.
you've got it at bargain" said the
seaman. Goodnight, gentlemen. I
hope, for ydxir sakes, nobody'll know
I've parted with it. Keep your eyes
open. and trust nobody. When you sec !
black, smell mischief. I'm glad to get !
rid of it,"
"He threw his head back and, ex-
panding his chest as though he al
ready breathed moro freely nodded TO
both men, and, walking through the
shop passed out intothe street and'dis-
appeared.
Long after he had gone the pawn
broker and his friend sat with the door
locked and the diamond before them,
eagerly inspecting it.
sits great risk" said the pawn
broker. "a stone like that generally
makes some noise"
rAnything good is risky" said tho
other, somewhat conteznptuousiy.
"You don't expect 10 get a windfhll
like that without any drawback, do
you?"
He took the stone in his hand again
and eyed it lovingly. Its from the
east somewhere" he said, quietly. "Its
badly cut. but it's a diamond of dia-
monds, king of gems"
II don't want any trouble with the
police said the pawnbroker, as he took
1t from him.
"You are talking now as though you
have just made a small advance ON n
stolen overcoat," said his friend, impa-
ticntly. "A risk like that--and YOU
have done IL before now--is foolish
one to run; the game is not worth the
candle. But this-why, it warns ones
blood TO look it,
~Well, I'll leave II with you," said tho
pawnbrokcr. IF you do we'll with it
ought not TO want TO work any more"
The other placed il in an inside pocll-
et. while the owner watched him anx-
iously.
Don't let any accident happen to
ycu tonight" he said. nervously.
"Thanls for your concern" said his
friend, grimacing. 81 shall probably be
careful for my own sake"
He buttoned up his coat, and. drin,..
ing glass of hot whisky. went out
"AADtAAtts III nav Jhob itANliNh Niit |
door when the pawnbrol5cr called him
back.
'If you like to take cab" he said,
In low voice, so TINT tho assistant
should not hear, "Pll pay for IT,"
"I'll take an omnibus" said his friend.
smiling quietly. "You're getting ex-
travsgant. Besides, fancy the humor of
sitting next TO q pickpoclet with this
on me-"
lie waved a CHEEKY farewell, and the
watching him from the !
focr. scowled angrily as he saw his
friend hail an omnibus
nt the corner and board IL. Then he
went back 10 the shop and his every
day business OF making advances on
fatirops and other reliable assets Of
the neighborhood.
Az ten o'clock he closed for the night,
the assistant hurriedly pulled down the
shutters. that his time for rccreation |