The daily Alaskan., 1904-05-05
A GAME g DIAMONDS
lcoprrIght. le0s. by c. D. LewIs.l


 cash and had met and dIned the lead ing traveller of the house. whose name Was Taylor.
 Their acquaIntanceship was only about two weeks old when Mir. Taylor started out over his western route, car rying S75.OOO worth of diamonds with him. He reached Chicago to find the EngllShman there a day ahead of him. Mir. Saunders was looking for long lost cousin. and while he looked for tue cousin with one hand he dispensed hos pltallty very llberally with the other. He wined and dued the traveller so often that they became chummy. He took Mir Taylor into his confidence and unbosomed himself and asked him to be a brother to him.
 When the pair had been in Chicago a week and the traveller was about ready to move to Milwaukee. Mir. Saunders announced in laughing way that he had turned drummer for a day to help his friend out. A man who ran a cer- tain factory wanted to get his wife something unique in the way of a birth day present. Mir. Saunders had hap pened to meet him and to suggest his friend, and if lIr. Taylor would accom- pany him to the house that evening he would be sure of a sale amounting to at least S1,OOO. The traveller would be only too glad to do so, of course. He couldn't expect a rich man and busy man to come to his hotel to look at samples,
 It was about s o'clock of an autumn evening when the pair set forth from the hotel in carriage. A light rain was falling. and this was an excuse for putting up the windows. Taylor was fairly well acquainted with Chi cago. but fin that drive, which lasted an hour, he was all turned around.
 When the vehicle finally stopped he only saw that the house, which stood alone. had a respectable exterior, and he followed Saunders up the steps and was admitted. They were greeted by the wealthy manufacturer himself, who was introduced as a Mir. Harmon. and they at once proceeded to the H. brary to talk business. No servant or any member of the family was to be seen. There was some general talk as they lighted cigars. and then Mir, liar mon said:
 "Mr. Taylor. am sorry to have troubled you to make this long ride, but I could not very well go to you and carry out my plans. The Idea Is to rob you of your gems. That was the plan from the day Saunders en- tered the store in New York, and it is needless to say we have spent consid- erable time and money up to date"
 'YOu seem inclined to joke" replied Taylor as he looked from one to the other in a puzzled way.
 But you will find this no joke said the man as he pulled a pistol from his pocket and rested 1t on his knee. You have a belt containing a lot of valu- able gems strapped around your waist. Will you quietly hand 1t over or shall we take possession of it after your deathY
 Look here. man. exclaimed the salesman as he started up. What sort of a game Is this? Is 1t Joke to test my nerve or do you really mean rob beryY'
 "Its just this, my dear brother answered Saunders as he also produced a revolver. "I brought you here to be robbed. You are a good fellow, and I don't want to see you hurt, but we must have those gems. You are not armed and have no chance against us. This house was hired on purpose to receive you and carry through this job. You see, we are two to one and have all the advantage, and l do hope you will look at it in a sensible way
 Taylor had lots of nerve and pluck, and for a few moments he dedcd the fellows. He was, however, soon made to realize that they were desperate rascals, and as they were on the point of assaulting him he announced that he would surrender the gems.
 That is good common sense said Saunders as he received them. "The loss does not fall upon you, but upon the house, which Is well able to stand it. Now, please be as sensible about the next move. We have got your gems, but we need at least twenty-fOur hours start. We shall lock you up in a closet and provide you with food, water and cigars, and by this time tomorrow evening man will come and set you free.
 Saunders protested and threatened, but in the end he entered the closet of the back parlor and was locked in. Ten minutes later he was alone in the house. They left him a pitcher of wa ter, a good luncheon and dozen ci- gars.
 As soon as he was satisfied that they had departed he began work on one of the panels of the door with his pocket knife. It was a solid hardwood af- fair, and it was hours before he suth- cientiy weakened the panel so that he could kick 1t out and squeeze through It was just growing daylight when he left the house by a window, and he found himself a good four miles from bis hotel. Before leaving the place he looked about and found that only the hall and psrlOr of the house had been furnished, and very poorly at that.
 IT Ia mt fOr me tO give away the se-