Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-01
quarters. Hand over the stones"

Philip did nothing of the sort.
why" he inquired blandly. you
know oil about them. You can hardly
want to examine them so frequently"
"Confound it, cried lsaacstein
growing red with renewed impatience.
what more can | do than agree to
your termsY"
az asked you for an advance OF ESQ.
said nothing about leaving the dia-
monds In your charge. Please listen
to me. I make no unreasonable de-
mands. IF you wish to keep the stones
now you must first write me a letter
stating the agreement between us. IL
1t is right will give you the dla-
monds. II 1t Is not according to my
ideas you must alter It,"
do you think I mean to swlndle
you?"
II have no views on that point. l
am only telling you what my condi-
tons are"
Isaacstein sat back In his chair and
regarded Philip fxedly and with as
much calmness as he could summon
TO his aid. ray Of sunshine illumin-
cd bald patch on the top Of his head,
and the boy found himself idly specu-
lnting on developments In the mans
future life. The man, on his part, was
seeking TO read the boys inscrutable
character, but the fixity OF philips
gaze at bis denuded crown disconcert-
ed him again.
what are you looking at?" he de
manded suddenly.
81 was wondering how you will look
when you 90 to heaven, Mr.. Isaac
STEM was the astounding reply.
"You imagine then, that may dea'
fairly with you?" he said at last.
ooh. yes. Why should vou rob me-
You can earn more money than YOU car
ever need in this world by looking aft
err my interests properly. IF only YOU
will believe this statement II will save
you much future worry, I assure you
Were you in earnest when you said
that you have an abundance Of stones
like those i'm your hands,
80 many. Mr.. Isaacstcin, that yor
will have some trouble In disposing OF
them. have diamonds as big. ns big
let me seas big rs an egg
The wonder Is that the man did not
faint.
MY Cod he gurgled do yor
know what you are sayingf Where
are they, boy? You will I've robbed
murdered for their sake. Where are
they? Let me put them in some safe
place I will deal honestly by you
swear 1t by all that hold sacred. Blu
you must have them taken care Of"
"They are quite safe, be certain O
that. Reveal my secret 7 will not.
have borne insult and Imprisonment t.
, preserve il. so it is not likely | vii
yield now TO your appeals"
Philips face lii up with n strang'
light as this protest left bis lips. TIT
? meteor was his mothers hequcst. Sh'
= gave it to him, and she would safe
guard It, Had she failed hitherto
Was not oil London ringing with til
news of his fortune. vet what man o
woman had discovered the wherea bout
Of his treasure? In his pocket he fel
] the great iron key of No. 3 Johnson
t News, and he was as certain now tina
} his hiding place was unknown rs tina
r his mothers spirit was looking dow
: on him from heaven and directing hi
e every movement.
3 The man, in spite Of his own grea
D lack of compoSure, saw the fieetin
A glimpse Of spirituality in the boys eyes
Puzzled and disturbed though he wa:
= he made another violent effort to pu
/ his shattered nerves into order.
s There Is no need 10 talk all day" h
: said doggedly. "NOw I am going to te
you something you don't know. If you
= boast is justfied--if you really own a
many diamonds and as good ones a
you say You own there must he
@ great deal of discretion exercised |
l. putting them on the market, Diamond
are valuable only because they az
S rare. There is a limit TO their possibl
= purchasers IF the diamond mines c
n the world We're to pour all their r.
It sources forthwith into the lap of til
public there would he such a Stun
n that prices would drop 80 80, even S
r per cent. DO you follow mef'
|! Yes nodded Philip.
a A week earlier he would have salt
= ayes. sir" but his soul was bitter "
Il against laaarstcin.
Y every we'll It may take NO month
C. years, to realize your collection. TO d
Is it properly | must have some idea {
Ell its magnitude. II there are exception
lie ally large stones among 1t, they will L
dealt with separately. They may rivi
t. or eclipse the few historical diamond
s. of the world but their worth can onl
d be measured by the readiness of som
lie fool to pay hundreds OF thousands fc
them. See?"
y, Yes" nodded Philip again. IL
sententiousness brought the man
the point.
10 "TherefOre vow must take me int
your confidence. What quantity
"a stones do you POSSESS and what al
their sizes: J must know
'e Isaacstein. cooler now. pursed II
Is lips and pressed his thumbs togetht
\ until they appeared To be in danger I
| dislocatlon. 1t was his fayorite nit
| tude when engaged in deal II sign
| fed that he had cornered his vict'r
| Philip. appealed to in this strict
| commercial way, could not fnil to &c
| It was TO his own interest TO tell IA
II chosen expert the exact facts ana not