Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-10-28
THE LAMBTON
DIAMOND,

m HE famous l4amDton ulahonu
threw back the light from its
u many facets, and strange, bril-
liant colors shot from it's depths. 1t
was the finest stone had ever set i'll
my life.
was particularly pleased with my
design for the setting. No other hand
had touched it. and felt that the
frame, so to speak, was worthy OF the
picture.
The ring. now that 1t was finished.
was iii even to adorn the hand or
Lady GwendOlen Forrest. the beauty
and heiress of the season. But l dlu
not envy young Lord Lambton his
tiancee: in my own Nell | had girl
as good and as pretty as any in the
land.
| was about to take the ring to Mr..
Nugent when Nell herself ran in. She
was my employers daughter. and his
private house was upstairs over the
large showroom in Clifford street. 1t
was against all custom for Nell to come
down to my workshop. for her father
disapproved our engagement. But to-
day she had not been able to resist the
temptation Of having II peep at the
Lambton diamond.
Just as she had slipped 1t on her
| finger, and was dancing about twisting
her hand. that the marvellous stone
might catch the light, the door opened
and Mr. Nugent entered. prepared to
defend Nell from n harsh reprmand.
but none caue. Her father appeared
oddly preoccupied. merely took the ring
from her. examined 1t earnestly. and.
swapping the lid Of the case down
upon it. placed it in his pocket and
walked away.
Next day was sitting at work. when
saw a hanson drive up. and Lord
Lambton jump out He came hastily
into the room. which adjoined the
one where was sitting where Mr.. MI
gent was.
"Scoundrel" | heard him say, and
could scarcely believe my ears. You
thought to fool me easily by a false
stone; but | am as good a judge Of
Jewels as you are. You are a thief,
sir. What have you done with the
diamond intrusted to you?"
Mr.. Nugent answered in lower
voice. What he said could not have
} made any great impression upon Lord
, Lambton. however. for he impa tiently
interrupted. and at last an ominous
threat concerning the police" reached
my ears.
, sat still | understood very we'll
that Lord Lambton had deliberately
= accused my employer of trying to
palm off upon him an imitation dia-
, mond, yet | knew thar | had set the
: true stone and delivered it to Mr.. Nj
gent only yesterday.
My employer himself was a skilled
workman. though not a good designer,
and in the time that had elapsed be-
tween my handing him the ring and
' his transferring 1t 10 the owner he
t could have removed the stone and re-
. placed it by another. But for such a
I ! bold trick to succeed the imitation mtst
he magniticently made, and the orig
inal diamond must have been carefully
measured.
q | had never known that Mr.. Nugent
I kept any false gems about the place
e and besides was it likely that Il man il
= his position would care to run so ter
q rible Il risk? Still, | could not help re-
q Numbering how haggard and irritable
t he had been of late. and the keen in
n terest that he took in the racing in
n telligence.
g As thus specialized on the astound
o ing accusation. Mr.. Nugent himsel
| pf IL
d looked keenly ut me as If wondering i
d ii would be safe to trust me.
l. Did you hear anything OF wha
,. passed in the next roomI' he uues
It toned.
It admitted that | had.
e "Of course. | shall be triumphant,
j.: acquitted he announced clearing hi
l. throat huskily. as he spoke. Still
Lord Lambton can make things dis
IF agreeable. And look here. Wade.
= haven't always been as friendly to 70,
i as might. but can trust you. You'll
m be an important witness. DO wha
sc you can for me. for the girls sake"
il The words sounded strange. but
ut was given no time to answer. for a
rs that moment Lord Lambtom returne
ID with two Scotland Yard men. My en-
re ployer was given into custody an
1t taken to the police station to
he charged. the detectives remaining t
he search the premises.
T. Mr.. Nugent being a widower. wit
es only one child, the management Of tn
Is business practically devolyed on m,
n and as the detectives ransacked til
is place. they put many questions to m
as to where the stones were kept. Tn
safes were all pointed out to then
at but they seemed disappointed wit
ge their operations.
ed Later in the evening they came to m
In the workroom. and, holding out tn
st ring that i had made for Lord Laml