The herald., 1896-03-22

-IJ6vY I5IYK IaI1u SSrIU 8O W q oUuAtHy Wu5Io
hn ,.;sht hide his identity and there
accumulate q sufficient amount Of
money to enable him to return to Eng
land, and make good the loss sustained
by his customers. The argument was
erroneous. perhaps, but he believed
most thoroughly in it, and so he had
packed up few of his possessions in
valise, and left England, leaving be-
hind him the conviction of his guilt in
the minds of nearly all who knew of
the matter. He made bnt one pur-
chase before leaving. and that was
jewel casket. A rather peculiar thing
to buy, perhaps, at that time; but he
had determined to 60 to the diamond
fields of Africa, and in precious stones
build his new fortune, and so had pro-
vided travelling case for the gems
which he expected to bring back with
him, although most anything might
have done as we'll for uncut diamonds.
ITO Africa then, he went, aud after
years of almost incessant toll and bit.
ter hardship he succeeded in gathering
together splendid collection Of dia-
monds, of sufficient value he thought,
to settle all his debts with the accumu-
lated interest. It was at this time that
he heard of my presence in that part of
the world, and he sent for me to come
to him. found him physical wreck;
a sick man in mind and body. He was
frantic to return to England, now that
he had accomplished that for which he
had come to that wild country, and to
realize the dream that had been con-
stantly with him all these weary years.
But this was impossible for him to do
in his present condition.
II had known Desmon for a number
of years previous to the time of his
flight from England, and had valued
him as friend. But. like many 9TH
ers who were willing to help him in his
trouble, I had known nothing Of his
whereabouts, as he had communicated
with no one during his self-imposed
exile. He now begged me to act for
him in the settlement of his affairs,
and although the responsibility was
great, could not refuse. And so, pro-
viding for Desmon's comfort during
my absence as best I could, took the
djamonds-which he had placed in the
jewel casket-and left Africa, stopping
only in Paris, where intended to stay
for day or two to transact some busi-
ness Of my own.
arrived in Paris drove to the apart
ments Of Mons. Alexandra Feron, q
friend, who always insisted upon my
staying with him when stopping in
Paris. Feron was exceedingly glad to
see me, but regretted that the presence
of several of his friends from out Of
town, who we're with him, precluded
the possibility of my staying with him.
But he begged me to occupy the apart
ments of dear friend of his who would
be absent from town for q few days
and who had begged him to make use
of them in any manner he wished.
They were near Feron's rooms, 30 I ac-
cepted his offer and settled myself in
the apartments of Mons. Gustave Mar
tel.
by this time it WAS too late to de-
posit my casket of diamonds with the
bank, as had been my intention. But
IN examining my new quarters I had
found an old-fashioned American safe
which locked with key, and as Feron
informed me where the key was, I
locked up my casket in the safe for
want Of better place.
"Mons. Feron and his friends were
going to attend the ball given by
Madame de Tascher that evening, and
they asked me to go with them. 1 was
glad to accept their invitation, as it
would take my mind off from the con-