The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-04
THE STRATAGEM OF MIR.
 MAXWELL.
BY H. s. cANFIELp.

&OWo AOOACu oub uROH IldCCt New York City. The farther roar of Broadway in front of them merged Into the nearer roar of Third avenue behind. It was spring time and half block away birds were twittering in Gramercy Park. A table stood be- tween them and on 1t was decanter and glasses; but. though the men had been together for some time. the glasses were unwet by the liquor. They were of distinct types, the younger smoothly shaven and athletic, fash ionably dressed and with suave man. ners. A trace of accent here and there said that he was of English birth. He was. indeed, a cadet of a good house, the younger son of a younger sons son, a graduate of Cambridge. much travelled and desperately poor. His companion was short, sturdy and coarse. red of face and somewhat loud of voice. wearing a good deal of un- necessary jewelry of an unnecessarily loud pattern. One looking at him know that he was a "self-made man." One listening to him heard this fact stated inside of five minutes. He was an American from one of the western States. and was said to have a good deal of money, though no man could say how much.
 T have got to have this scheme in detail." he was saying, 'or l wouldn't touch 1t with soldiers table rake" You have had it in detail" the other replied. a little impatiently. Its plain enough. You have money. l have not any. I am judge of jewels; you are not. The scheme Is to buy gems across the water and smuggle sw~k@ u ,frry you that I can do this. You furnish the money: l furnish the talent. have made arrangements to dispose of the goods on this side. There is no trouble about that. There is small fortune for each of us."
 "Yes," the Westerner said, leaning back in his chair and thrusting his red hands into his pocket, where he clinched them tightly; that's clear. There are two or three things in the way. however. This deal may wind up in my having the experience and you having the money. l have no sort of check on you that l can see. fou buy diamonds and I take your word as to how much you bought and what you paid for them. I have only your word for it. That's a funny basis to do business on."
 That's so," the Englishman replied. imperturbably. You have only my word. You have known me for some years, however"
 Well" the older man went on. Il might overlook that much. l might be willing to take your word. But don't see how I am to take your word that you are able to smuggie these jewels in. want to know how. That's what I want to know how.
 knnw fnAI what you want to know, but that's what you're not going to know - just vet. It is my secret. It is worth money. If you refuse to go in with me others will not-so long as l have the secret. If I shared 1t with an- other 1t would not be worth dime"
 'Is 1t bribery?" was the eager ques- ton.
 In reply the other only laughed. .pouredi out a small quantity or the whisky, drank 1t. made face and then laughed again. The Westerner stared at him gloomily. , know what the New York custom house is like. You know that hun dred spies are ready to go through man down to his boots. You know that jewel smuggling has been tried and tried and tried by the smartest men and women in the smartest coun- try on earth, and you know that it's been no good. Always. sooner or later. the seizures been made and con- fiscation has followed. It's like throw ing dollars into Lake Michigan. My money will be risked, but you don risk anything except little troupie:
 ''I don't. eh?" The younger sons son faced him squarely. Well, I risk a like me, though you do not weigh It against your dirty dollars. risk the imposition of q fine of $5,o00-which you wouldn't pay-and two years In the penitentiary, which l would have to serve. Whats the paltry twenty thousand you put into the enterprise compared with the possible punishment to me? In addition to these things, and far more important than them alli I risk the esteem and affection of a woman love. That doesn't count with yoI, but it counts twenty millions with me. It's to get money to marry her that I'm going into this thing. There's nothing else would drag me into it."
 What would be the\ profits, did you saw" the other asked waveringly.
 "Why the profits would vary in ac- cordance with the varying value or the jewels brought it. But we'll take diamonds as staple. The duty on diamonds is 10 per cent, and I can bring in $20, 900 worth at one time. That would be a profit of $2.000 trip. Then I know that my skill in selection, in buying and my knowledge of the places in which the stones are to be had cheapest, will be worth $1,000 more - say 8 900 a trip, and I can make a trip every three weekes. As we put more money into the business, the profit would be greater, but $5Oe a week for each of us isn't bad"
 No" said the American pondering- ly. And you say 1t will be safe"
 Perfectly"
 Ard vcu won't tell me now you are going to do it?"
 "No-not now"
 You must have $2O.0OO for a starter in cold cash-right off the reel straight out of the box - and with no security"
 "$21, ,OOO. I must have money for my expenses"
 Damn tt!" said the self-made man. "Ill write you a check for it. You can start tomorrow"
 The Englishman laughed. Not so fast" he said. T can't begin work for six months. There are arrangements to be made. I would not complete them until you had agreed to go in with me. A half-year hence we'll be- gin to get rich and richer
 As you say, Maxwell" said the Westerner. calling his name for the