The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-17


genuineness How, then came I'll l.fhat
real gold. or gold supposed to be real no
sooner went into the "a fer evn, fpt lan
hour, than II becanfe spurious? IL was
the old story OF the philosophers stone
reversed; IL changed base metal TO gold,
the safe not only changed gold TO base
metal. but. more wonderful still. changed
IL into coins manufactured In "A certain
secret mint In England. the locality OF
which was known only TO Mr.. Bellamy
Frankly / may say at this stage, In spite
of his coolness. 4 thought the solicitor
the guilty one. / decided, IL is true, to
see the Fiscal and the Superintendent
before taking action, but j felt almost
certain that he would be In jail In few
hours. But just then an incident so
trihing stepped in 10 save him. that 1
almost hesitate TO put IL down.
1 had gone into the front office with
Mr.. Bellamy and examined the wonder
working safe, and questioned John Lyle
at the same time, when the office door
opened. and young whpper-snapper OF
"A clerk came in with cigar In his mouth.
a cane twirling In his hand, and a dia-
mond ring flashing on one OF his fingers.
/ thought he was customer or client, till
/ saw him place his monkey-headed cane
reVerently In the umbrella stand, hang
up his hat, and take his place at desk,
after loftily tossing the half cigar into
the fire.
"A fast youth that" was my mental
comment as 1 returned To the back room
with Mr.. Bellamy. Just as i was passing
from the one room to the other. an Idea
struck me which made me start and for
moment stand stock still I'm the door
way l think Mr.. Bellamy noticed the
curious look. and was about to inquire
into the cause, when i stopped him oy
closing the door and saying in an under
tone
Have you any more clerks coming in?"
mo; why2'
Gould you send that young lad out for
a moment till 1 test something?
Certainly and lne order was given
accordingly, though not without surprise.
and the diamond-ringed gentleman vas
sent an errand to the end OF the strnet--
religiously taking with him his familiar
spirit, the monkey-headed cane.
Now, Just one question--did the hus-
hand of that female smasher tell you his
story i'm this room?"
Yes"
did he speak loud or low?"
Pretty loud-I think he is a little deaf
himself
Good; and who was in the outer office
at the timer"
"Oh, nobody in particular Mr.. Lyle
was absent, i'll, at the time"
Then who showed him in?"
"Oh. just that young lad-the appren-
tice."
"The fast youth with the diamond
ring?"
Yes"
Hell have q big salary, / suppose
three or four pounds a-week?"
Get away man! what do you think I'm
made OF? He gets exactly fifteen pounds
year. and jolly well paid, think"
Friends wealthy"
"well, no. not particularly: but you
know II people will have their sons
brought up to a genteel profession, they
must be prepared TO make some sacrifice
! for It,"
| Seems a smart fellow?"
| "He is. He'll be a cute one. ! can tell
| you. when he passes"
"Now, would you be kind enough TO
| call in Mr.. Lyle and say something to
him I'm tone of voice as nearly pitched
10 that OF your queer client as you can
remember"
with just dawning idea OF my mean
ing breaking out or his face. the solici-
tor compiled; and Lyle and changed
places, with the door closed between us.
Sitting by the desk used by the da-
mond-rnged gentleman. ] found that
could hear that some one was talking In
the next room. and 10 more. but on leav-
ing the desk, and applying my ear to the
distinctly. One significant circumstance
during this test did not escape my eve
the sa fe-- during the whole time I had
been i'm the office had stood unfastened
with the keys hanging from the lock.
returned TO the Inner room, and quiet
ly asked Mr. Bellamy to go over. as near
as possible all that had passed between
him and the queer client during the visit.
This he hesitated 10 do. till ] convinced
him II was 10 save himself that ] wished
for the information. and that without IL
7 might be absolutely helpless. The ac-
count OF the interview was briefly thus:
The man had come In In shunling way,
said vaguely that his wife had got into
trouble passing some bad money, and he
wanted her got or TO which Mr.. Beliamy.
after receiving his fee promptly replied
hy advising him to be off as quickly as
he could. unless he knew a safe hiding
place I'm the city. He then told him 10
walk to Corstorphine, and there take a
ticket for Glasgow: then TO get out. not
in the city. but the first station from II,
and walk the remaining distance. after
which he was 10 cross the city and take
train at the first station on the other side,
and there maze his way 70 England. Hun
was the town he hailed from,and thithcr
he meant 10 make his way, as the fac
tory OF which he was the chief partner
had its headquarters there.
OF this factory" or base-coining den he
gave clear and lively description, and
then ended by saying that. though Tor
prudent reasons he could not reveal the
exact spot ou which IL was situated, Mr..
Bellamy could always hear Of him. ar
send word about his wife. by addressing
him al a certain house I'm IIessie Road.
As soon as the account was finished. I
prlmed Mr.. Bellamy I'm the part | wished
him To play. and got him 10 send the old
clerk lyle out on business, leaving only
our diamond -ringed young friend IN tue,
outer office. Go which he had returned
during the narration.
1 found the fast youth busy AZ his desk,
and carefully closing the door OF the In
ner room | made for the outer door. and
then suddenly paused and listened.
Isn't that Mr. Bellsmy calling you"
said 10 the apprentice.
"He never calls he rings" loftiiy re-
piled that young gentleman.
To which ! gravely answered
I'm sure I heard q voice put Your ear
to the key hole just 10 oblige me. and tell
me what you hear"
The lad stared az me open nnouthed. and
then complied. thinking m. mad. I have
no doubt
pit the rnofueut his ear was nrcseea "a