The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-14


GEMS.
less by comparison with their sacred
contents. There were cups and chalices
beaten from soft gold; ikons framed in
pearls and amethysts-such a collec-
ton, in short. as n thousand years will
gather in a quiet nook, sheltered from
the storms of the troubled world. There
were gifts from the wealth of mighty
cmperors like Constantine, and from
feeber gropers i'm the crepuscuar midi
die ages like Comnenus and the Palae-
ologi. Half the world had paid tribute
here; but these simple-minded monks
toiled for their daily bread. holding in
trust treasure whose value neither
they nor any man could tell. And, with
open door to every stranger who came,
they slept soundly o. nights behind
their primitive bolts and bars.
"Now, if you will permit me-" said
the taller traveller, after they had
feasted their eyes at length, 81 would
like 10 make sketch or two from the
bindings of those wonderful old vol
umes l saw first, and then let us go,
Dintri, to the top of the cliff. Pray
thank the Prior for his goodness and
assure him that, for once, | am quite
convinced. Such things as the librarian
has shown me / have never seen else
where"
"Nor me, neither" said Mr.. Ashby.
"Thankee kindly, gentlemen"
Each traveller dropped golden coin
into tho oifertory of the church as he
passed out.
When the sun had sunk like great
globe of fire over the Albanian noun
tains, and when the last trace of red
was fading from the sky the party re-
turned from the mountain top to the
guest chamber. In the visitors book
they wrote two names, Harold Nor
gan" and "William j. Ashby," and then
supper was placed before them.
They were served by beautiful boy
not more than ten yeors old, novice.
whose perfect breeding was the result
Of utter Inconsistencies OF self and
complete obedience. Demetrios, the
courier, hovered In the background,
fearing TO offend the hospitable monks
by assistance, but keeping a watchful
eve upon his guests and from time to
time making a suggestion. for their
greater comfort. Then with CHEEKY
good nights their hosts left the two TO
their repose.
dis is easy!" exclaimed Mr.. Ashby,
in an undcrtone, when the door had
closed. "Dis is de easiest yet. Derc
amt lock in de place wot weighs less'n
twenty pounds. an l could pick any
one Of 'em wild me tecf."
"Still." said the taller man, who sat
at the table studying his notebook,
its just as we'll 10 neglect no reason
able precaution. l have here an eX-
celent plan Of the whole place. so far
as IL concerns US, with every distance
marked and the character Of each door
and lock indicated"
"Shall we need" end Ashby made
IN expressive gesture toward his hip,
pocket.
Rather notl It isn't many years.
since these monks thrashed whole
army OF Turks. They're eplerd.d
lot Of fellows and os strong as bulls.
n you fred pop here. and they found
out about our little plans. there
wouldn't be enough CT Us left for the
coroner"
Cnlockiry beth hcnd5nrr. the taller
man first carefully examined the dcor
.nd wirtocs OF ihe guest chamber.
iud then drew out a couple OF night.
| yawus OF sheer. fac linen. which would,
pack In surprisingly little space; two
tiny but handsome toilet eases. one at
least OF which was probably more
meant for show than use; q few coll
lars and bandkcrchiefs. two tiny Ian
terms. aud finally some bits of steel,
each carefully wrapped by itself In
Il soft cloths