The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-06-13
THE $4,000 DIAMOND
BY Henry G. Maclaurin.
STARED in astonishmont at the
exquisite diamond glittering in
my chiefs hand. 1 could scarce

ent London jewelers.. Let me tell
you, Mr.. Johnson, that you have won
our confidence. Yes, sir. we trust you
implicitly. You don't suppose that we
should let you have charge Of twenty
fNow. all you have to do is to deliver
it safely into the hands of Silas P.
Silsbury. the New York millionaire. If
you fail-but, pshaw! we will not think
of such thing
Then he took from his escritoire a
leathern belt, which had a specially
constructed pocket in the centre. Into
this pocket he thrust the diamond, af-
ter having wrapped it round and round
with washleather. Locking the pocket
lie placed the key in my hand. saying:
For the present 1 will fasten the
belt outside your vest, and your coat
and overcoat will protect it. But when
you get home place it beneath your
vest. and do not let it leave you night
or day"
The clock was striking as reached
the street. I occupied myself for
some time making sundry purchases,
among them being revolver, which |
sincerely hoped I should have no occa-
sion to use. I had bag with me, and
into this 1 packed my purchases.
1t was getting on for S o'clock when
I had finished shopping. and, jumping
on a Battersea bus 1 gave myself up
to thoughts of my fiancee, to whose
homo l was now journeying. I was
going to tell her about the jewel, and
her only.
Mary Hampden was girl of whom
any man might be proud, and I counted
the winning of her as the most blessed
circumstance in my life.
Mary was busily engaged sewing
when I was shown into her presence,
but when she saw me she hastily put
down her work and rose to her feet
with an exclamation Of pleasure. We
had exchanged but few words when,
with a woman's quick intuition, she
said:
Something has happened, Tom?'
You a.e not at fault. Mary" said.
"But that which has happened is so
wonderful that I scarcely think you
wN be able to credit it when l tell it to
you"
Then don't keep me waiting long"
she said, with laugh.
i did not keep her waiting long. She
listelied attentively to all had to say,
and when had finished. she said:
May 1 see the jewel, dear?"
1 said Yes" and withdrawing it
from its receptacle handed it to her.
She unfolded the leather and gazed
long and earnestly at the glittering
thing. then she slowly recovered it and
restored it to ME with an air of such
evident reluctance that I had much
difficulty in repressing smile.
What have you in that bag, Tom?"
she inquired, as I rose to depart.
All Sorts" I answered. carelessly.
"A revolver, for one thing!'
Her face paled.
is it necessary to take it," she
asked.
Well. there's nothing like being pre-
pared for emergencies l said.
Heaven grant that you may never
have any occasion to use it. Tom"
So we parted, Mary forcing smile,
,,albeit her face was still pale and her
eyes anxious.
Soon l was on the outside pavement,
underneath the silent stars, and the
COO. night wind was blowing on my
face While passing through the hall
I had noticed that the clock registered
1C15.
My chief thoughts were OF Mary
Our interview had made a great I'M
preston on my mind. and every word
she had spoken WAS ;ndelibly impressed
on my meIory, every expression her
face lad worn was fresh before my
eyes. For her sake, no less than my
own. I hoped TO be successful in my
crrand
/ had reached a lonely part of my
way. when, suddenly. dark figure
sprang up on either side of me; a third
appeared at my back. Before I had
time to dart forward, or even to utter
a cry. my arms were pinioned and a
hand was thrust over my mouth
Struggle I did. desperately. but my
strength was unavailing. pitted against
the strength of three. 1 was brough,
to the ground and held fast down.
The bag! Where is the bag:' cried
one OF my assailants in eager tones.
My hopes rose, but were quickly
dashed.
"Foolw said another voice. I started
I 1t was the voice of Hamilton, my fel
low clerk. l had always thought he
was a bad lot. Fool. there's nothing
of any value in the bag. He's got tht
stone in belt round his waist. Turf
him over and We'll soon relieve him o.
it. Got it? That's good. Now tie hi:
hands and feet"
While this was being done Hamilton
coolly surveyed me, sneer OH his lips
You're a nice man to carry valua
ples." he said. II guess you're curiou:
TO know how / got wind of the affair
You may not know that from the dis
used room over our office it is possible
to hear all that goes on in the govern
or's sanctum. l happened to be there
this afternoon. and l overheard Ger