The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-04-30
n n q "a
For Diamonds
scopsr,sst. 1901. By G. B-.Lewis.l

James BlaL Ston, living ABOUT j uuIe
out of the village of A1orpeth, asking
them to Se;,d down man with dla-
mo,1ds for marriage presents. II was
added that his carriage would meet
5tbl man at the station at O'Clock in
Che evening. I was the one selected to
go. and 1 reached Morpeth on time
with e., Geo worth of diamonds con-
sealed about my person
cslrriaGe awaited me, but mad
hardly taken seat in it when had
queer feelings. Ihe OUTFIT was 100
.Iomn,on to be owned and publicly
used by such man as Sir James
BIaD i1ton, and the two men on the box
didn't appear at all like servants.
made bold to say:
GS& -.See here, men. 1 think there Is a
mistake L think have got Sir James
BIanlSfon mixed up with Sir James
Dashton. 1t is the latter who owns
a large interest in Manchester cot
sson factory, isn't it,"
1T may be- but dunno" replied the
man who was driving as he pulled up
Ibis horses
well, you see, wanted to show
him some of these new dyes for cot
tons
rs that your line, sir:''
D
4 am sorry for the blunder, but 1 am
willing
Then what the bloody blazes did
you get into this turnout for?
ITO see Sir James Blankton, of
course got it in my head''-
AOh, blow your 'ead and your 'eels
tooE Jim, turn about and drive the
sg1Ioomin' ass back to town.
-tI'I be shot if does!'' replied Jim
HE can get right out ere and take
ITSELF back on his own legs and be
AEowed to him!'
when 1 had walked the two miles
and reached town, went to hotel
Inside of five minutes L had learned
that Sir James Blankton lived in the
opposite direction to that 1 had taken.
Further, that the gentleman and his
wife had been. in Scotland for several
weeks It did not take me long to
figure il out to my perfect satisfaction.
1T was a put up job to rob the London
house through me, and it had been put
up with the aid of some one at Sir,
James BIankton's house.
Z started for London by the 8 O'Clock
train The night had come on dark and
stormy, and there We're but few pas
s1gerS from N1orpeth. There We're
two plain women ticketed to Durham
and man about forty years old Of
pleasing address and genteel appear
-ance. The four of US We're ushered
into the same compartment. AS soon
as we fell into conversation the man
gave me to understand that he lived
at Beverly, "a town about fifty miles
down the line, and from certain words
let fall gathered that he was 4 prom
ment public official of the place.
didn't exactly reply that 1 was in the
dye line, but he probably inferred as
much from what said 1 was glad Of
his company. He was we'll posted,
fair taIker-
The women got out at Durham and
left US alone. We passed Darlington
and were still the sole occupants Of
the compartment. Mr.. Arnold, as he
opposite me for an hour. AS the train
cleared Darlington. however. he rose
mp and yawned and said:
II am sleepy, and yet I can never
get wink Of sleep on the train. BY
the way, found q curious coin on the
street at AIorpeth today. Can you make
&nything of 9t?"
He had q coin in his fingers as he
stepped over to me. l reached out
band to receive it when he seized me
by the throat with both hands and had
:ne on my back In second. was no
match for him in strength. He gripped
nsy throat SO suddenly and so fercely
that was deprived of all powers of
resistance. Bending over me, with his
!anee on my chest, he finally let up on
his clutch and said
Don't be foolish now! 1 know you
and am after those diamonds"
He drew wicked looking knife and
held it in his teeth, while he used some
stout cord to tie my hands behind my
back Why didn't, l resist? Simply
because his clutch on my throat had
almost paralyzed me. When he had
taken the key of my Gladstone from
-oue of my pockets he turned me over
end said:
Now for the sparklers. 1 know you
shifted them to the bag when you We're
AT the hotel \ deuced fine layout, and
the cash value must be close to SO, 900.
lis 4 pretty haul indeed, and no risk
attending it,
He placed the jewel case in his peck.
eG lighted cigar and plea sanity con-
fzRued:
Take it easy, my boy The next
StoD Is North Allerton, and I shall gag
YOU and leave the train there. You'll
be discovered at Leeds or sooner
3 was SO mad and my throat hurt me