Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1899-12-30

YOU are generally inclined rather to go
your way rejoicing, and leave well
enough alone, IL 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 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 at him.
who are you?" were the first words
that came, In hoarse, half-strangled
whisper You're not a policeman"
"Oh, no." said Marsden, I'm not
policeman. Hope l 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. II can
easily hand you over to the police, you
know. Oh, you needn't try to get up
and run. | 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 diamondT
At that question the man seemed to |
start MarSden waited few seconds |
and then repeated 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. | didn't want your
watch. The diamond is mine"
Aha" said Marsden. II thought so.
knew there was something wrong
about that blessed diamond. Did you
see me wearing it?'
NO"
Did some one tell you wore it as
scarf-pinY'
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 |
match and lighted his hghwayman |
friend to his own den, where he soon |
found means to stimulate his bowers
Il am a stranger to you, you see" |
said the guest, recovering after
mouthful of diluted brandy.
1t was not the face of a thief. certain.
ly. 1t was rather the face of we'll
bred, If not intellectual. man. bur II
was unshaven, and suggested that It's
owner had fallen upon hard luck OH
erwise, it was not at all an uncommon
face
. You have treated me fairly" he said
so far, at least. Tell me whore Won
got my diamond, and III tell Won how
l lost it,
Your dlamond-if It is yours" said
Marsden, was won by me at A garnc of
cards. l staked $1,000 in American
! money against it. The game was PLAYED
, in the smoking-room of an ocean
steamer"
WAS it an elderly man you were
! playing within"
; Yes. A Brazilian, believe-wora
the stone in ring"
! The impudent scoundrel. Anythino
! peculiar about his eyebrow"
"One eyebrow had cut across # that
@ gave it peculiar tilt"
That's right-the left eyebrow. And
a the gentleman always spoke as if his
u mouth was full, didn't hep"
e "He did. You have described him
II perfectly. He was a Brazilian"
e II beg your pardon. He was NV ma
2, ternal uncle, Charles August Froehan,
Y My father borrowed money from him r.
l. buy shares in his COMPOUNDED bogus en-
lie terprises, and gave him mortgages nr
Ie everything we possessed. 1t was mn
y derstood, when the mortgage wos
drawn on our household effects. that
10 my mothers jewelry was not inclndaa
Il, At my fathers death the rogue mt g
at a legal claim for the Mona diamona
i'd because, he said, 1t was set In a r,r-
% urhinh my father wore and n. 20