Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-02-21

largest firms in the gem trade. We
had had many dealings together in
the past, and as I had had the good
fortune on one occasion to do them
q signal service, I knew that they
would now do all that they could for
me in return.
"Good day, Mr.. Fairfax" said the
chief partner, as entered his snug
little sanctum, which leads out of the
main Office. what can 1 have the
pleasure of doing for your"
II am in search of some informa-
tion," ! replied, 'and I think you
may be able to help me-"
IT will do all that is in my power
to render you assistance" he re-
turned, as he wiped his glasses and
placed them on his somewhat feshy
nose. "What is the information you
require? Has there been another big
robbery of stones, and you think it
possible that some Of them may have
come into our hands?"
There certainly has been rob-
berry," replied, "and the stones may
have been offered to you, but not in
the way you mean. The fact of the
matter is, I want to discover whether
OF not large consignment of uncut
rubies and sapphires of great value
have been placed upon the market
within the last two months"
Uncut rubies and sapphires are
being continually placed upon the
market" he observed, leaning back
in his chair and rafting his keys.
But not such stones as those am
looking for" I said, and furnished
him with the rough weights that had
been supplied to me.
"This is interesting decidedly in
teresting," he remarked. Especial
ly since it serves to offer an explana-
ton on q certain matter which we
have been interested in for some lit
tie time past. On the 10th of last
month, gentleman called upon us
here, who stated that he had lately
returned from the far east. He had
had, SO he declared, the good fortune
to discover a valuable mine, the To-
cality of which he was most careful
not to disclose. He thereupon
showed my partner and myself ten
stones, consisting of five rubies and
five sapphires, each Of which weighed
between IS and SO carats."
"And you purchased them?"
I'VE did, and for very heavy sum.
can assure you the vendor was very
well aware of their value, as we soon
discovered, and he was also good
hand at a bargain. Would you care
to see the stones? I shall be pleased
to show them to you if you would"
II should like to see them Inn
mensely," replied.
Thereupon he crossed the room to
safe in the corner, and, when he
had unlocked it. took from it wash
leather bag. Presently ten superb
gems were lying before me on the
table.
There they are" he said, waving
his hands towards them, land, as you
can see for yourself, they are worthy
| of being set in the crown of an en-
peror. 1t is not often that we are
enthusiastic IN such matters, but in
this case we have very good reason
to be. When they are properly cut,
they will be well-nigh priceless
DO you happen to know whether
he sold any more of similar kind in
London?" I asked, as he returned
them to their place in the safe.
~ know that he sold Is smaller
ones to Henderson q Soil, and three
almost as large as those 1 have just
shown you to Arm in Amsterdam"
III he is the man I want to get
hold of, that accounts for 49," I said,
making note of the fact as spoke.
Originally he had 90 in his posses
sion"
"Ninety-three2" the merchant re-
piled, as II he could scarcely believe
his ears. why, his mine must be a
source of unlimited wealth. I wish
had known this before"
$50 do l." said. "And now per-
haps you can go further and furnish
me with description of the man
himself. shall then be able to tell
you whether my gentleman and your
customer are one and the same per-
SON."
II can describe him to you per-
fectly well. He was tall, but some
what sparely built, very sunburnt-
which would be accounted for by his
long residence in the east--his hair
was streaked with gray, he had dark
eyes. and singularly sharp nose"
ibid he wear beard?"
"No, only mustache. The latter
was carefully trimmed, and, I think,
waxed. OF this, however. am not
quite certain
"And his name?'
HE would not tell us that. We
pressed him to disclose it, but he OBJ
stinately refused TO do so. He said
that if his name became known it
might lead to the discovery of his
a