The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-21

Whatever 4AiACLESl YOU LLltlk 1t I1EtEI 10
charge But it is very essential to me
that the money should be paid at once
L should be happy to advance it
without further parley from my own
private purse said I, were it not that
the strain would be rather more than
it could bear If, on the other hand [
am to do it in the name of the firm,
then. in justice to my partner, I must
insist that. even in your case, every
businesslike precaution should be
taken.
81 should much prefer to have it
So said he, raising up a su7Iare black
morocco case which he had laid beside
his chair. You have doubtless heard
of the Berry, Coronet?'
one of the most precious public
possessions of the empire said J.
+ Precisely He opened the case,
and there, imbedded in soft, f1esh-col-
ored velvet, lay the magnificent piece
of jeWelry which he had named. There
are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said
he, and the price of the gold chasing
is incalculable,. The lowest estimate
would put the worth of the coronet at
double the sum which have asked.
am prepared to leave it with you as my
security.
Il took the precious case into my
hands and looked in some perplexity
from it to my illuStriOuS client
on doubt its vaIue2' he asked.
Not at all. I only doubt
The prOpriety of my leaving it.
You may set your mind at rest about
that 1 should not dream of doing so
were it not absolutely certain that
should be able in four days to reclaim
it, 1t is pure matter of form. Is the
security suficient?
Ample
You understand, Mr.. Holder that
am giving you a strong proof of the
confidence which L have in you, found
ed upon all that have heard of you
L rely upon you not only to be discreet
and to refrain from all gossip upon
the matter, but above all, to preserve
this corOnet with every possible pre-
caution, because ] need not say that a
great public scandal would be caused
if any harm were to befaU it. ANY in
jury to it would be almost as serious
beryls i'm the world to match these. and
it would be impossible to replace them.
/ leave it with you. however, with
every. confidence. and I shall call for it
in person on Monday morning.
Seeing that my client was anxious
to leave, / said no more; but, calling
for my cashier I ordered him to pay
over fifty $1,000 notes. When I was
alone once more, however with the
precious case lying upon the table in
front of me, could not but think with
some misglvings of the immense re-
spOnsibility which it entaued upon me.
There could be no doubt that as it was
national possession, horrible scan
dial would ensue # any misfortune
should occur to it. I already regretted
having ever consented to take charge
of it, However, it was too late to alter
the matter now, so ] locked it up in
my private safe and turned once more
to my work.
when evening came I felt that it
would be an imprudence to leave so
precious thing i'm the office behind
me. Bankers safes had been forced
before now. and why should not mine
be? If So how terrible would be the
position in which I should find myself
L determined, therefore, that for the
next few days I would always carry
the case backward and forward with
me, so that it might never be really out
of my reach. With this intention L
called cab and drove out to my
house at Streatham carrying the jewel
with me. / did not breathe freely IN
til I had taken it upstairs and locked
it i'm the bureau of my dressing room.
ana now a word as to my house
nOlu, MI Holmes, for I wish you to
thoroughly understand the situation:
MY groom and my page sleep out of
the house. and may be set aside alto
6ether. L have three maid servants
who have been with me a number Of
years, 3l1d whose absolute reliability is
quite above suspicion. Another Lucy
Parr, the second waiting maid, has on
lY been in my service d few months.
She came with an excellent character.
however, and has always given me sat
D lsfAetN~tio one rs d very pretty girl,
and has attracted admirers who have
occasionally hung about the place.
mat is the only drawback which we
have found to her, but we believe her
TO be a thoroughly good girl in every
way.
80 much for the servants. NV fam
lily itself is so small that it will not take
me long to describe it. I am a widower
and have am only son. Arthur. He
mas been a disappointment to me, Mr.
nom ZONES grlevous disappointment
nave no doubt that l am myself to
4 blame People tell me that L have
/ spoiled him. Very likely L have. When
/ my dear wife died 1 felt that he was
all had to love 1 could not bear to
see the smile fade even for a moment
from his face. I have never denied
MN a wish. Perhaps it would have
/ peen better for both of US had 7 been
/ sterner' but I meant it for the best.
IL was naturally my intention that
/ he should succeed me in my business
/ put he was not of a business turn. He
J Vas wild, hayward. and, to speak the
/ truth, could not trust him in the
/ nandlng OF large sums of money.
When ne was young he became a
I MEMBER OF an aristocratic club, and
/ there. having charming manners, he
( was soon the intimate of q number OF
/ men with long purses and expensive
hapits He learned to play heavily al
caiQS ana to SQudnder money on the
/ turf, until he had again and again to
come to me and implore me to give
/ nlm an advance upon his allowance
/ that he might settle his debts of honor
He tried more than once to break away
from the dangerous company which he
/ was keeping, but each time the influ-
ence of his friend. Sir George Burn
Well was enough to draw him back
again.
"And, indeed. I could not wonder
that such a man as Sir George Burn
Vel should gain an influence over him
my house, and I have found myself
that / could hardly resist the fascfna-
ton of his manner. He is older thar
Arthur, man of the world to his fin
ger-ups. one who has been everywhere
seen everything. a brilliant talker, an6
i a man of great personal beauty. Ye