Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-05-20


the servants table, and directly the
elaborate rejection was concluded I
attired myself in a gorgeous frocll
coat and silk hat, and, hailing a han
som which was passing the hotel, was
driven rapidly to Bond street.
Messrs. Stoner e Sons establishment
was huge doublefronted shop, con-
| tanning more wealth in the shape of
precious stones than any other half
| dozen places of the kind In England,
and the arms of royalty shone bril-
liantly over the door. Telling the cab
man to await my return 1 staggered
into the emporium and approached the
long, glittering counter.
A gentlemanly assistant leaned to-
ward me, asking in low, melllfuous
tone what he could have the honor of
showing me. 1 hinted my require
ments in few peremptory words,
which seemed to impress him very
deeply. and during the next half hour
l kept the youth busy displaying to me
all sorts and conditions OF precious
stones, the mere sight of which made
my mouth water, to use a somewhat
forcible, though inelegant expression.
When l had sustained the farce long
enough 1 shrugged my shoulders dis
consolately and observed:
"Really l don't care to decide on
anything without consulting my wife.
Unfortunately, she is kept to the hotel
by bad cold and cannot stir out"
1t was then that the assistant made
the suggestion for which l was wait
ing.
1--WE could send around an assert
ment by one of our people, If you like
sir" he remarked affably, "and then
the lady could see for herself"
"Ah! an admirable plan" cried
speaking as though the arrangement
had occurred to me as he spoke. "Do
you think you could send your man be-
tween five and six this evening?"
Certainly, sir. VIII you be good
enough to state your name and hotel"
Here is my card" 1 returned. as
produced a piece OF pasteboard spe-
cially printed for this purpose, and
which bore the name of 1.-THE Hon.
Charles Puget" 81 am stopping at the
Recherche"
"Thank you very much, sir. The
messenger shall wait on you at the
time you name"
he bowed politely. and insisted on
accompanying ne into the street and
holding open the flap Of the hanson
whilst l took my seat in the vehicle.
| Much pleased with the success OF my
scheme thus far, I drove back to the
hotel and told Basting that all was in
capital train for the working OF the
stratagcm. His eyes lit up with de-
| light.
BLOW me, guv-nor," he muttered,
''if you amt q Very Nerpoleon o
dooplicity 'Pon my sivvy it's a pleas
ure to commit fellerny with a bloke
like you, and no mistake"
Hush" | said quickly, remember,
the game is not ended yet, and one
false stroke may bring everything to
ruin. Have you the chloroform
ready%
"'Ere 1t Is" he replied with q
chuckle, producing the phial from his
pocket.
"And the bag for the stones?" I
asked.
"It's in the sittin' room. Hevery,
thin's rs right as q trlvet, guv-nor, and
If the job falls through 1t won't be
along Of any want O forethought on
the part of yures truly"
Good" 1 cried; 'and now there Is
nothing to be done but to await the
arrival Of Messrs. Stoner's man"
AT quarter past five a waiter en-.
tered and Informed me that the jew
eler's assistant was below
"Show him up" replied smartly.
The man bowed and retired. A mo
ment later Il tall, palc-faced youth
made his appearance, bearing a parce
in his arms.
Good afternoon. Sir" he said softly
81 have brought some stones for your
inspection"
"Oh, ah, yes" exclaimed; "my wife
will be down in n moment, and, mean
time, suppose 1 have a look at Tho
things, Unfasten the parcel, if yol
please"
He obeyed silently. Whilst he wa:
untying the string Basting walked into
the room and busied himself with som,
imaginary work in order to account fo,
his presence. Directly the paper hat
been removed from the jewel case, ant
the glittering contents displayed tt
my view, 1 took out tiny diamond
brooch and held it up to the light.
"Er-look here" I said, addressin:
the youth; 'just examine this brooch
Is not the stone badly set?"
He was all attention in a moment
and Basting, having overheard tn,
preconcerted signal, crept up behlnC
him, pressed chloroformed handker
chief to his nose. and dragged him II