Mower County transcript., 1904-01-20
- FREDERIC REDDALE
Coeyrleht 1y,n. BY J. ?. Lipp,nooa, comssny.

and Richard Dysart, were perforce
thrown much on their own resources,
and naturally saw great deal of each
other. Frequent trips to town were
necessary, and these they often made
in company on the off-days when there
was no hunting. Kane could never
have lold how it came about, but it.
was certainly not of his devising, and
10 have shown Indifference or distaste
would have been to court suspicion.
And uesides, the attraction was mu-
tual; under any other conditions the
older man would have been comrades
with his intended brother-in-law with
unfeigned heartiness.
On one of these off-day trips tc
London they travelled in the same
compartment to Euston, and then,
both being bound for the city, they
chartered hanson, which set them
down at the bank. Walking up
Ihreadneedle street, they came sud-
denly face to face with shabby
little man who at sight of them
stopped short, threw up, both hands
with an indescribable gesture of sur
prise, and then, turning sharply on
his heel, vanished round the corner.
1t was Moses Plish! .. l:'-..
Funny little beggar," said Rich
ard; the last time ] saw him was in
Ladys,nith; seemed to know us both!''
why, yes," said Kane, as nonchal-
antIy as possible, s'he is-or was-tor
l haven't set eyes on him in a long
1ime-one of the sharpest and shrewd-
est dealers in stones in all South
Africa. In fact" with a quiet chuckle,
I've had some dealings with him my
self in the old days. Is T.
That's curious-so have L." said
Richard. Hes the man to whom l
sold some stones, you remember,
when l came out of the Wilderness
Arrived at the corner of Bishops
gate street they parted, agreeing to
meet ior luncheon. AS Kane turned
away with a courteous wave of the
hand, sudden thought flashed
through Rick's brain and held him
rooted to the curb.
"By all that's holy!" he muttered,
gazing after his late companion.
Gould it be possible?"
l. Instead of doing his errand in the
city, he hailed a passing hanson, and
jumping in called out to the cabby
wellington street." and within a
quarter of an hour he was with our
friend the manager of the inquiry Of
fee.
"Have you anything for me?" he
asked.
In response he received a legal en-
,elope, quite bulky, which he thrust
into his pocket
II believe all the data you asked for
are there, Mr.. Dysart," said the head
of the concern, "and we have tabu-
lated them in what. seemed to us the
order of their Importance relative to
your inquiry
"Thanks,'' said Richard, and re-
gained his cab.
Once within it's shelter he lost no
time in examining the contents of
the envelope. These consisted of a
series Of foolscap sheets, fastened to-
gether with brass clip at the cor
ner, each sheet bearing at the top the
name of some man more or less we'll
known in the city or the diamond
trade, with certain biographical re-
marks appended.
And the first sheet bore the name OF
Rossiter Kane!
Richard replaced the envelope in his
: pocket and sat staring ahead at the
i crowded mass Of vehicles in Fleet
street with a puzzled frown on his
face.
CHAPTER x.
Five minutes after leaving Richard
! as Kane was striding along Cornhill
! he was overtaken by a shambling
breathless figure in rusty black, an6
to the whispered appeal
Blister Kane, sir-just a minute
sir!'' he turned his head and saw The
cringing form of old Plish at his side
, ducking and bowling with abject servil
ity. n
"Well, Moses, what is it?" inquired
Kane, in business-like tone, stop
ping short, and drawing to one side
out of the way OF the hurrying throng
With an eye to the main chance
and realizing that it would be goot
policy to keep on the right side of thu
ledger with so rich a man as Kane
Plish had instantly decided to let him
know that Dysart had asked certain
J pertinent or impertinent- question.
at sLadysmith, and thus forestall any
possible evil consequences to himself
from his wagging tongue.
Excuse me for troubling you, Bis
ter Kane, but ven 1 see you alon5el
'tother vun," pointing a dirty thumt
over his shoulder. II ses to myself. Sc:
l, Blister Kane might like to know
that 'tother gent was maxim inkouirie.
about 'im.'"
when was this, Moses?' asked
Kane, coolly shipping the end off I
cigar. ~.
"Out yonder, matter O. six month.
ago. It was jest arter he'd made tha;
there strike O. his'n in the Karrot