Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1899-12-29

Intention Of stealing your valuables,
you are generally inclined rather to go
your wsy rejoicing, and leave well
enough alone, if you have been as for
tunate as to knock the intending thief
silly. That Is what most people would
do. But Marsden was in many ways
unlike most people. He sat on the edge
of the roadside ditch, lifted the mans
head, and famed his face until, in the
darkness, he could detect signs of re-
covery.
Feeling better now?" he said.
The only answer was a struggle to sit
up, which ended in the beaten man
sinking back exhausted. Then there
was another pause, and Marsden began
to be really alarmed. He had almost
made up his mind to go and look for
water when the patient suddenly made
one more violent effort, succeeded in
sitting up, and stared al him.
"Who are your" were the first words
that came, in hoarse, half-strangled
whisper. you're not policeman"
Goa, no." said Marsden, "I'm not a
policeman. Hope I haven't hurt you
badly. Now, look here, young fellow,
man that can box like you isn't COM
mon thief. That's sure. If you had
been a common thief, you would have
come at me with pistol or some
thing"
The PROSTATE man said nothing.
"See here" Marsden went on. 81 can
easily hand you over to the police, you
know. Oh, you needn't try to get up
and run. l could give five yards start
and catch you in 100, as you are now.
I'll let you go. I'll take you to my
house and fix you up ship shape, if
you'll do one thing. Tell me why you
have turned highway robher just to get
the Mona diamond"
At that question the man seemed to
start. Marsden waited a few seconds
and then reepated, Tell me about it."
"Where did you get it?' was at first
the only answer vouchsafed him, and
that in vehement angry whisper.
Then the man in the ditch went on:
You're right. l didn't want your
watch. The diamond is mine"
"Aha!" said Marsden. 81 thought so.
1 knew there was something wrong
about that blessed diamond. Did you
see me wearing itT
mo"
"Did some one tell you l wore it as a
scarf-pin?"
"YeS"
"Well, you can't go on talking in the
condition you are in. Come to my house
and let me give you a drink. 1t isn't
far"
There must have been something very
frank and convincingly honest in the
ring Of Marsden's voice, for the man
actually did consent to go with him,
even leaning on his arm for support on
the way.
They entered the house together.
stealthily, for everyone else was in bed,
and the lights all out. Marsden struck
a match and lighted his highwayman
friend to his own den, where he soon
found means to stimulate his powers.
Il am a stranger to you, you see,"
said the guest, recovering after
mouthful of diluted brandy.
1t was not the face of thief. certain
ly. 1t was rather the face of a we'll
bred, if not intellectual, man, but it
was unshaven, and suggested that its
owner had fallen upon hard luck. 9th
erwise, 1t was not at all an uncommon
face.
You have treated me fairly" he said,
$50 far, at least. Tell me where Won
got my diamond, and I'll tell YOU how
l lost it."
Your diamond-if it is yours" said
Marsden, was won by me at a game of
cards. l staked $1,000 in American
money against it. The game was played
in the smoking-room of an ocean
steamer"
WAS 1t an elderly man you were
playing with?"
Yes. A Brazilian, l believe-wore
the stone in ring"
The impudent scoundrel. Anything
peculiar about his eyebrow
zone eyebrow had cut across II that
gave 1t peculiar tilt"
That's right-the left eyebrow. And
the gentleman always spoke as if his
mouth was full, didn't he?r
He did. You have described him
perfectly. He was Brazilian"
II beg your pardon. He was nv ma.
ternal uncle, Charles August Froeham.
My father borrowed money from him to
buy shares in his confounded bogus en-
terprises, and gave him mortgages on
everything we possessed. 1t was I'm.
derstood, when the mortgage was
drawn on our household effects, that