The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-09-30


ly honest traveller, shot one Of the
horses and submitted him to the indig-
nifty of personal search. Visions of
his lost bet, of civil action for dam
ages before a jury that might probably
be l. d. B. q to a man, of heavy dam
ages and Of the storm of ridicule that
would overwhelm him at the end flash
ed in quick succession past his mental
gaze, and, being only human after all,
he decided to temporize.
"I'm out, Mr.. Salter!" he said, with
the best assumption Of cordiality that
he could muster. "Tm dead out, and
it's for you to call the game I'm not
satisfied, but know when I'm licked,
and am this time. WHAT'S it to be?''
"Waal," drawled the Yankee,
"seein's how you've pulled me up here,
shot a horse, cut up the fit out and
made me undress in this almighty cold,
think the least you and your fellows
can do is to come across to Mike Ma
guire's shanty yonder and take drink
You bet I want one pretty bad What
do you say?"
Under the peculiar circumstances
i there appeared to be only one thing to
say, and that was "Yes.'' In fact, In
spector Lipinski thought it remark
ably good get out. Besides, miracle
might happen even yet, SO he said
"Yes" and followed it up with really
handsome apology.
The result was that within very
few minutes the dead horse was unhar-
messed and pulled out of the road, the
other leader hitched on to the end of
the pole, and the whole party trotted
across the border toward Mike Ma
! guire's store and shanty. On the way
Salter roasted the Cape boy unmerci-
fully and then not only consoled him
but mystified him considerably by tell
ing him that he should have his money
after all.
In spite of the wrong that had been
done him, Salter insisted on standing
the first round of drinks when the party
at length stood up against Mcguire s
bar. The drinks were duly raised and
lowered, and while Lipinski was order
ing The next round he said very quietly
"By the way, boss, about those
stones. P'raps, as you've come all this
way, you might like to see them. Here
they are!'
While he was speaking he had pulled
the Cape boy toward him and thrust
his hand into his trousers pocket. He
pulled out the Identical envelope which
he had asked for in the bar of the
Queens hotel, with the inspectors sig
nature still written across the flap. He
handed it over to the barkeeper and
said:
"When the chief Of the department
in Kimberley does do it, he does it to
rights. Just you open that, Mike, and
tell me if you ever saw a prettier lot. :"
Mr.. Mcguire looked at the signature,
glanced curiously at the astounded in
spector, then opened the envelope, I'M
folded the bulky packet that was in it
and disclosed about SO rough diamonds,
the sight of which made even his ex-
perienced eyes water Orange and blue,
green, rose and pure white, they gilt
tered most tantalizingly in the light of
the paratfin lamp which hung above
the bar counter.
"Mother of Moses, what lot! Shure
they're the pick of the mines and worth
a kings ransom any dayp' said Mr..
Mcguire i'll somewhat awe stricken
tone as he gingerly turned the priceless
stones over and over with the end OF
his thick foretinger. Here take them
back, mister, before I'm tempted be-
You'd the endurance of human flesh ano
blood by the sight of the darlin's, Coo
bless their pretty sparkles!'
So saying, honest Mike, knowing that
his own reward was to come, handed
them back to Saiter, who pocketet
them in a handful as he turned to the
almost paralyzed inspector and his mer
and said: