Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-08-27

but the expert who swore that no sucf
diamonds had been seen before In thii
world"
Philip waited until the mans passion
| had exhausted itself. Then he went
on coolly:
"That is your point Of view, I sup
pose. Mine is that you could have sat
isfied yourself concerning all these
points without sending me to prison
However, this discussion Is beside the
present question. VIII you buy my
diamondsT'
Isaacstein recovered his seat. He
wiped his face vigorously, but the
trading instinct conquered his fury.
"Yes," he snapped. "How much dc
you want for them"
81 notice that their value steadily
increases. The first time you saw this
diamond'-and he held up the stone
originally exhibited-"you said it was
worth fG0O or f7OO Today you name
a thousand. However, I will take your
own valuation for this unimportan,
collection and accept 100000"
"Oh, you will, will you? And how
will you have 1t, in notes or gold"
He could not help this display OF
cheap sarcasm. The situation was los
ing It's annoyance. The humor Of II
was beginning to dawn on him. When
his glance rested more critically on
Philip, the boys age, the poverty OF
his circumstances, the whole fantastic
incongruity of the affair forced his
recognition.
Not unprepared for such retort
Philip gathered the stones together
and twisted the ends Of the paper.
Evidently the parcel was going back
into his pocket. He glanced at clock,
too, which licked solemnly over the
Office door.
"Here. what are you doing?' cried
Isaacstein.
"Going to some one. who will deal
with ME In a reasonable manner. 1t Is
not very late yet. I suppose there are
plenty of firms like yours in Hatton
Garden, or l can go back to Mr.. VIII,
som
"Sit down. Sit down." growled the
man, vainly striving to cloak his ner-
vousness by n show Of grim jocosity
81 never saw such boy in my life
You are touchy as gunpowder. l was
only joking"
II am not joking, Mr.. Isaacstein.
Your price is my price-f50,0 ,0OO."
"Do you think l carry that amount of
money in my purse:' demanded Isaac,
stein, striving desperately to think out
some means whereby he could get Phil
ip into a more amiable mood, when,
perchauce, the true story OF the gems
might be revealed.
NO" was the answer. Even If you
gave it to me should not take It
away. I want you to advance, say, fjO
today. | require clothes and other
things Then tomorrow you can bring
me to bank and pay portion Of the
purchase price to my credit. giving me
at the same time written promise to
pay the remainder within week or u
month any reasonable period, in fact"
The diamond merchant was quickly
becoming serious, methodical, as lie lis
tened. This businesslike proposal was
the one thing needed to restore his be-
wilderel faculties.
"Tel me, boy" he said, "whO has
been advising you!
mo one"
"Do you mean to say you came here
today to trade with lie without con-
sulting any otl.er personT
81 certainly told Mr.. Abingdon l was
coming. and l feel that l can always
return to him for any advice if l am III
difficulty, but the offer l have JUS
made is my own"
Watching Isaacstein's face was an
interesting operation to Philip: Under
ordinary conditions he might as well
expect to find emotion depicted in Il
pound Of butter as in that oily counte-
nance, with its set expression nodded
by years of sharp dealings. But today
the man was startled out Of all the ac-
customed grooves Of business. He was
confronted with problem so novel
that his experience was not wide
enough to embrace it.
So Philip caught CLEAN Of resent,
ment at the introduction Of the magis-
trate's name, and he instantly resolved
to see Mr.. Abingdon again at the
earliest opportunity.
"Oh, he treated you kindly today.
did he?" snarled Isaacstein.
"Yes, most kindly"
"You don't drink, 1 suppose7" broke
in the other abruptly.
mo; l am only boy of fifteen and
do not need stimulants."
He was favored with sharp glance
at this remark, but he bent over his