Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-23

situation. Then he approached the table and
said
Look here. sir I am badly in want of money,
and If can raise hundred pounds will clear
out of England and try my luck abroad Now
dq you think Lord Settrngton would spring that
sum If showed him how to recover his rubyY
Great Jovel" l muttercd. "Then you have
stolen t?'
II wish TO goodness I had for ] shouldn't be
here at this moment IL the ruby were in my pos-
session." he answered with cunning grin. But
! am sorry to say. that the stone is still in Set
tringtons house"
lin his housel" echoed
Most assuredly unless my theory is altogether
wrong Anyhow, let us go round there at once,
and inquire whether he will pay up. If he con-
sents, believe the ruby can be restored TO him
in the space of two seconds"
The fellow spoke with such obvious sincerity
that | could hardly doubt his word, and / re.
solved TO adopt his suggestion that we should
proceed at once to Park Lane.
Settrngton seated in the study when we
entered, and ] explained in few words what
had happened.
'This man claims, my lord" l said, "that he
can restore the stone to you Immediately if you
will reward his act with the sum of one hundred
pounds 1t is not in his possession, but he knows
its whereabouts in this room"
"Is this some trick?" asked Settrington sternly
Travis smiled.
'"Try me- and see," he replied. "And remem-
Der that ] shall not claim my reward until the
ruby is in your hands What is your decision?"
\ "Well, well, | suppose | must say yes, snap
ped Lord Settrington; Though believe you are
foolng me after all.
"I think not" replied Travis. And then adj
vancing towards the table, he hit it a smart
blow.
What followed welnigh took away my breath,
for even as the blow sounded on the table,
al and ba rrbu shot mn odo
Meath
Settrington was amazed as we'll as myself and
it was apparent that Travis the only cool
person in the room.
''The whole affair is perfectly simple" he said.
'"That table was once conjuror's trick table.
When your lordshp called at Mr.. Davies's Office
overheard your talk through the speaking
tube. And when you related how the ruby had
vanished, | at once jumped to the right concu-
sion for | used to be assistant to an illusionst,
and learned many of his tricks. l guessed the
nature of the table and like a flash, | resolved
to make up an elderly furniture dealer and
endeavor to buy it from you The making-up
process was easy, | happened to be doing
show that night in South London, and had my
wig and other props in my bag. As for my know
ing the price you paid for the table, CHANGED to
espy the bill at the time when you sent it to
Mr.. Davies asking him TO get the amount re-
duced You will perceive, therefore, that Sc
only your lordship had consented to accept my
offer the ruby would have passed into my hands.
OF course ! should not have bought the table
as had not got the money; but should have
secured the ruby, and then backed out OF the
bargain"
He stopped short, looking though he expect
ed some admiring comment on his ability
.eThis is all very WELL" said Settrington at
1arath as he locked the ruby in his safe But
how how'd do you explain its original disappearance"
"Oh, that was simple enough. Some van pass,
ing in the street must have shaken the table ana
Lord Settrington smiled Obviously, he was
delcbted to have recovered his treasure, and
Trnt;ss would be roguery was obscured by his
satisfaction. Lo sa;d
''Well, there is your hundred pounds ne salui
as he placed note on the table ana no" l
II think SO, tool replied Travis with Gun 1
ming laugh 81 wish you both a very goou-
morning."