The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-07-21

Stanley was seated, and Tony was
standing near him, the backs Of both
to the door by which the peddler had
returned; SO he glided behind the cur
tains of the window which was nearest
to him. and seated himself in its deep
embrasure, prepared to listen, very
comfortably, as far as his bodily cOn-
venience was concerned, but with a
very disturbed and uneasy mind.
Tony felt that he must act warily,
for the watch had never, in all proba-
bility, belonged to Stanley Claremont;
only it was necessary that before pro-
ceeding, he should ascertain this; but
to Tony'S thoughts, that such gentle
man as Stanley Claremont, baronet's
nephew, should ever have given SO val
liable watch to the scamp who had
offered it for sale, and who had had
thief stamped on every feature of his
jll-favOred cOuntenance, appeared al
most an impossibility.
When, however, the young engrayer
had related all that had occurred in
Mr.. Springford's shop concerning the
watch, Stanley, taking it in his hand,
said, hesitatingly: my memory is
rather confused on the subject; howev-
er, [ have a vague idea that the man
who once rendered me service"
'Just what the rascal saidr' inter-
rupted Tony.
1T is natural that his memory should
serve him better than mine; and as he
has never stolen anything"
you did give it to him?'' eagerly
questioned Tony
And Stanley drawled out that, in all
probability, such had been the case.
And the listening peddler was dissat-
is fled that his former patron had not
more emphatically acknowledged the
matter.
''Well, in that case" Tony resumed,
after a long pause during which he
had been in deep thought; sin that
case, if you would like that the watch
should return to your possession, Mr..
Springford will yield the bargain to
you"
''Much obliged said Stanley, exam
lining the watch. what price would
Mr.. Springford himself have givenT'
''About hundred pounds"
'Impossibler
''You think that too much?"
'"Tis preposterous."
cit cost you good deal more
eyes, but it was then new"
'Ohv' laughed Tony, watches don't
wear out quite as fast as pair of
boots"
POSSIBLY; but this is not complete"
''What's wrong?'' asked Tony, look
ing very innocent.
'"The poor wretch" continued STAN
ley, chad already commenced to get
rid of it in small portions.
Tony didn't understand, he said.
s'Well, see for youself," said Stanley,
handing back the watch to Tony. "a
seal has been broken away"
''Ah!" said Tony, and seemingly
closely examining; "there certainly is
the remains Of something. [ hadn't
noticed that before. What could pos
sibly have been there?
''The most curious object of all those
breloques," Stanley replied.
"And what might that have been?"
Tony asked, in tone which, to Stan
ley, was nearly, and to the concealed
peddler totally, inaudible.
"A very remarkable pearl, entirely
black, and held in the claws of a lion. "
The room was swimming round with
Tony.
Stanley, "and with infinite taste, by
Mr.. Springford himself"
''And Tony, with a short, stifed
moan, sank down into chair, his face
white as a sheet, while for several mo-
ments he was entirely unconscious,
overpowered by the glad prospect that
had at last OpeI ed out before him,