Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-09-16
OF MYSTERY AND ADVENTIRE
BY LOUIS TRACY.

glass cases and tables, at which several
assistants were seated.
What the deuce" he began, but
checked himself. What does Mr. Wilson
want. ne went on. Evidently his Lud.
Philip. - "
lie wants nothing, sir" said Philip
He sent me TO you on a matter of bnsi.
ness. 1t Is of a private nature. Can Won
give me few minutes alone?'
lsaacstein was big headed. bip-sboul.
dered man, tapering to a small point AT
MS leet' He looked absurdly like top,
ana surprise or emotion of any sort
caused him to sway gently. He swayed
now, and every clerk looked up, expecting
HIM to fall bodily onto the urchin with
the refined utterance who had dared to
penetrate into the potentate's office with
such a request
Kimberley, Amsterdam and London
combined to lend effect to Isaacstein's
wit when he said:
rs this joke?'
All the clerks guffawed in chorus. For
tunately, IsaaeStein was in a good I'M.
NOR He had just purchased a pearl for
$3.50, which he would sell to Lady Some.
body for $500 pounds, to match another
in an earring.
1T appears TO be-" said Philip, when
the nerriment had subsidized.
For some reason the bows grave. earn
est eyes conquered the big little mans
amused scrutiny.
| Now, boy, be quick What is it?" he
SAID, testify, and every clerk bent to mis-
| task.
Il have told you, sir. l wish to have
few minutes conversation with YOU
with regard to business of an important
nature"
you say Mr.. Wilson sent you-Nlr.
Wilson, of Grant & Sons?"
Yes, sir"
lsaacstein yielded to amazed curiosity.
Step in here" he said, and led the wav
to his private Office, surprising himself as
well as his assistants by this concession.
Philip closed the door, and Isaacstein
turned sharply at the sound, but the boy
gave him no time to frame a question.
Il want YOU to buy this" he said.
handing over the diamond.
lsaacstein took it, and give it one crit
zeal glance. He began to wobble again.
DO you mean to say Mr.. Wilson sent
you to dispose of this stone to me?" he
demanded
Not exactly, sire l showed it to him,
and he recommended me to come to YOU. -
"Ah, l see. Sit down, there in
dicating chair near tue door. The dia-
mond merchant himself sat at his desk.
but they were in full view of each other.
Where did you get it?" he asked.
81 found it,
Quite so. But where?''
AT this moment | do not wish to 90
into details, but it is mine, mine only,
and | am quite willing that you should
make every inquiry to satisfy yourself
that it was not stolen. l suppose that is
what you fear?"
Sheer wonder kept the Jew silent for
space.
DO you know its value?' he said, with
sudden snap.
Mr.. Wilson told me it was worth sew
eral hundreds of pounds
Did he, really"
"Yes. He said you would treat me
quite fairly, so l wish You to advance me
a few pounds until you have decided
upon its real price. You see, sir. | am
very poor, and my present appearance
creates an unfavorable impression. Still,
| am telling you the absolute truth. and
| show my confidence in you and in my
own case by offering to leave the diamond
with you on your receipt, together with
small sum of money"
Philip thought he was getting on very
well. Isaacstein's large eyes bulged at
him, and speech came but slowly. He
leaned forward and rummaged among
some papers. Then he opened drawer
and produced magnifying glass, with
which he focused the diamond
Yes, it is worth f600 or f700." he
announced but it will be some time be-
fore | can speak accurately as to its
value. l think it may be fiawless, but
that can only be determined when it is
cut"
Philips heart throbbed when he heard
the estimate.
Then can nave few pounds"
he commenced.
STEADY. You are not in such a hur-
~; Ell? You won't tell me where you
got itY"
II may, later, if you continue to deal
with me as honestly as you have done
already"
JSaacslelH moved on MS seat. Even IN
chair he wanted to wobble. There was
slight pause.
Have You any more like this stone E?
| suppose not, Ell:
Yes. | have many more"
"Eh? What? Boy, do you know what
you are saying"
NO doubt you are surprised, sir, but
not more than l am myself Yet, it is
true have some-as big again"
Philip, in his eagerness, nearly forgot
his resolution to advance slowly. How
the diamond merchant would shake if
only he could see some of the white pe0-
bles in the meteor.
"As big again! Where are they?"
The chair was creaking now with the
rhythmic swaying of its occupant.
''Where this one came from, Dir. Isaac.
stein
Philip smiled He could not tell how it
happened, but he felt that he was the in
tellectual superior of the man who sat
there glowering at him so intently. Al
ready the boy began to grasp dimly the