Catoctin clarion., 1900-12-20
The Meteor Diamond.

business.
My name is John Westlock,' said he,
and | m detective sent to you under
instructions from MIR. Albert Jones, a
friend OF yours
GOOD heavens man, what's up"
According to Mr.. Jones, cir, few
weeks back you had meteor fall In
your garden
v had. What thenT
YOU sent a pebble it contained to a
local doctor named R.foru for exami-
nation?
>Certainly.'
Well, cir, the day before yestel day
this doctor called upon Mr.. Clarion,
the eminent scientist, and explained
that the meteor fell in bis garden and
that he found the pebble. Mr.. Clayton
examined it and found it to be most
valuable diamond, A few minutes af-
ter the doctor lsf. Mr.. Clayton's house
your friend, Mr.. Jones, called and was
told the story about the meteor. He
was satisfied that somehow this doctor
had got the pebble from you and had
deceived you. OF course it's your affair,
but if my advice is worth anything ID
20 and get what he says ls all that re-
mains of your pebble.
To this Mr.. Allen agreed
Together they journeyed to DR.. Re
ford's and were somewhat surprised
when not the doctor, but the house
keeper, came to the door.
>Oh, Mr.. Allen, is it you eir7 I'm so
glad to see you! Things is in an awful
mess. Afore any CT US were up this
morning that Mr.. Smith-or DR.. Smith
(contemptuously) )-leaves the house.
Soon after the master WAS up there Was
an awful row. He swole he'd been
robbed, ard when he heard as this
Smith man had gone l thought he was
going mad, sir; indeed did. He raved
round the place like regular luny and
then ran to the railroad statiol.'
Mr.. Allen had no difficulty in obtain
ING the vial, but Westlock learned
nothing at the station. There had not
been a single passenger either to arrive
or depart. These two doctors seemed
to have vanished completely.
The green sediment was analyzel
proved to be nothing but corperas in
solution, sud with that solitary piece Of
information the police and all con-
cerned in the matter had to be content
Allen had almost forgotten about his
pebble, when WestIock, the detective,
called again,
We'll, Mr.. Westlock, any ncws|
asked Allen, somewhat surprised.
I've got your diam md, Mr.. Allen.
AS no outside news was obtainabe, |
came to the conclusion that there had
been some foul play, and for the last
fortnight I've been searching the neigh
borhood, and met WITH success this
morning. Both doctors bodies were
lying in Mendon quarries hidden a
r1ong a lot Of underground. To me it
is clear Or. Reford must have seen
Smith hiding or seeking shelter, and
the two must have had a struggle on
the cliff and in their frenzy have fallen
over
Allen took the pebblo and examined
it and declared it was the one he had
extracted from the meteor. He said be
wanted to sell it at once. It was de-
cidcd that be should run up to town
and if possible dispose OF it. Allen had
provided himself with plenty of work to
occupy him during the Durney and WAS
quite absoI bed IL it when han ds0mely
dressed woman entered the comnart-
mpnt wherein he sat This rather DIS
concerted him. for he Bmoked heavily.
The tram was again IN motion, when
the door Was suddenly opened and an
elderly gentleman stumbled in,
Ten minutes later, without any warn
ing, the elderly gentleman stood up,
covered Allen with a revolver and de-
manded the diamond.
Don't move, my good sir, or You
find yourself perforated with a chunk
Of lead, and you, madam, had better
keep quiet also, As the threat, | am sor-
ry to say, must extend to yOu. You
fee, our friend there has in his posses
sion a diamond worth nearly half mil.
lion of money, and we don't pick up
fortunes like that every day of the week
Now, then, sir, harry up; can feel
the train Is slowing up, and l must skip
out likely, you bet. Don't get out Your
precious diamond hnrriedly or may
think you mean mischief, and pull the
trigger. That's the ticket, slow and
sure. Thank You; just place it on the