The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-12-02

volume Of the gas sufficiently to destroy
the balance and bring the balloon to the
ground, and knew that if Tomas had
obeyed my instructions it would fall
either on the veldt or on this side of the
hills.
The balloon was bright red and,
to make long story Short 1 started
out before daybreak that morning, as
you know, to look for buck. When
got outside the camp, l took compass
bearings and rode straight down the
wind toward the hills. By good luck or
good calculation or both / must have
followed the course of the balloon al
most exactly, for in three hours after
left the camp saw the little red speck
ahead Of me up among the stones on the
hillside.
"'I lodged about for a bit, as though
were really after buck, in case any
body was watching me. worked round
to the red spot, Pat my foot Oh the bal
loon and burst it. folded the india
rubber up, as didn't like to leave it
there, and put it in my pocketbook.
You remember that when you searched
me you didn't open my pocketbook, as
Of course it was perfectly flat and
the diamond couldn't possibly have
been in it. That's how you missed your
clew, though l don't suppose it would
have been much use to you, as you'd al
ready guessed it. However, there it is
at your service now.
And the diamond?'
"As / said these three words his
whole manner suddenly changed. So far
he had spoken quietly and deliberately
and without even trace of anger in his
voice, but now his white, sunken cheeks
suddenly flushed bright fever red, and
his eyes literally blazed at me. His
voice sank to low, kissing tone that
was really horrible to hear.
" The diamond he said. 'Yes, curse
it and curse you, Mr.. Inspector Lipinz.
ki-for it and you have been curse to
me! Day and night Ihave seen the spot
where buried it, and day and night
you have kept your nets spread about
my feet SO that could not move step
to go and take it, can bear the sus-
pense no longer. Between you-you and
that internal stone-you have wrecked
my health and driven me mad. If | had
all the wealth of De Beers now, it
wouldn't be any use to me, and tonight
new fear came to me-that if this
goes on much longer l shall go mad,
really mad, and in my delirium rob my
self of my revenge on you by letting out
where hid it!
"sNow, listen. Tomas has gone. He
is beyond your reach. He has changed
his name, his very identity. l have
sent him by different posts and to differ
ent names and addresses two letters
One is plan, and the other is key to
it. With those two pieces of paper he
can find the diamond Without them
you can hunt tor century and never
/ go near it.
And now that you know that
that your incompatible stone, that
should have been mine, is out yonder
somewhere where you can never find it,,
you and the De Beers people will be
able to guess at the tortures of Tantalus
| that you have made me endure That is
all you have got by your smartness.
That is my legacy to you, curse you! If
l had my way, would send you all out
there to hunt for it without food or
drink till you died Of hunger and thirst
of body, as you have made me die liv-
ing death by hunger and thirst Of
mind.
Gas he said this he covered me with
one revolver and put the muzzle of the
other into his mouth. With an ungov-
ernable impulse sprang to my feet. He
pulled both triggers at once. One bullet
passed between my arm and my body,
ripping piece out of my coat. The
other-well, can spare you the details.
He dropped dead instantly
"And the diamond:'' said.
J sis at your service, - replied the in
spector in his suavest manner, "provid-
ed that you can find it-or Mr.. Tomas
and his plans.
! THE END.