The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-08-23

thousands eachw
at is impossible to say. Taking
them In the lump at values varying
from a thousand each to fancy figures,
perhaps $4,000 worth"
at would be safe to reckon on a
quarter OF a million year, all toldT"
"Quite safe"
"Then, Mr.. Isaacstein, l will supply
you with diamonds of that value every
year for many years"
The man relaxed the pressure on his
thumbs. Indeed, he passed tremu-
lous hand across his forehead. He was
beaten again, and he knew it-worsted
by gutter snipe In war Of wits.
The contest had one excellent effect.
It stopped all further efforts on Isaac
STEMS part to wrest Philips secret
from him. Thenceforth he asked for
and obtained such diamonds as he need
ed and resolutely forbade himself the
luxury of questioning or probing the
extent Of his juvenile patrons re-
sources.
But there was long pause before he
found his tongue again. His voice had
lost its aggressiveness when he said:
"In the police court valued the dia.
monds you produced at $4,000. 1t does
not necessarily follow that / am pre-
pared to give such a sum for them at
this moment. might do so as specu-
lation, but take it you do not want
me to figure in that capacity. 1t win
be better for you, safer for me, IL l be-
come your agent. will take your stones
to Amsterdam, have them cut sufficient
ly to enable dealers to assess their true
worth and sell them to the best adj
vantage My charge will be 10 per
cent and pay all expenses. Today
will give you ESQ. Tomorrow l will
take you to bank and place five thou
sand to your credit. Meanwhile 1 will
give you receipt for thirty stones,
weighing in the rough so many carats,
and you or any one you may appoint
can see the sale vouchers subsequently,
when I will hand you the balance aft
er deducting f5,O50 and my 10 per cent.
The total price may exceed fifty thou
sand or 1t may be less, but I do not
think I will be far out In my estimate.
Are you agreeableT
Some inner monitor told Philip that
the man was talking on sound business
lines. There was a ring Of sincerity In
his voice Apparently he had thrust
temptation aside and was firmly re-
solved to be content with his 10 per
cent.
And this might well be. Twenty-Five
thousand pounds a year earned by q
few journeys to the continental few
hagglng interviews in the Hatton Gar
den office! What q gold mine! More
over, he would be the head man In the
trade. He was that now, tn some re-
spects, but under the new conditions
none could gainsay his place at the top.
Even the magnates of Kimberley would
be staggered by this new source of sup
ply. What did it matter IL the boy
kept to his rags and amazed the world
so long as the diamonds were forth
coming? 1t was no silk hated gentle
man who first stumbled across the dia-
mond laden earth of South Africa.
Isaacstein had made up his mind. Fate
nad thrust this business into his lap.
He would be fool to lose 1t out of
mere curiosity.
YES" said Philip. 81 agree to that"
Samuel yelled Isaacstein.
Coming, sir" was the answering
shout. and Il Hurried clerk appeared.
Bring in the scales, Samuel"
The scales were brought and a level
space cleared for them on the desk
Pk Zip, of course, had never before
seen an instrument so delicately adj
justed. A breath would serve to de-
press the balance.
The boy held forth his paper and
poured the contents into the tiny brass
tray of the scales. Samuel's mouth
opened and his eyes widened. 1t was
his first sight of the diamonds.
-Four ounces eight pennyweights Ave
grains-629 carats in thirty stones.
Oh, good gracious mew murmured the
clerk.
Isaacstein checked the record care
fully.
"Rightr' he said. "Put them in the
safe"
Philip raised no protest this time.
He knew that the man would keep his
word Indeed, Isaacstein told Samuel
to bring him fifty sovereigns, and ere
the man returned he began to write
on sheet Of letter paper:
Received from Herel What's
your nameT he broke in.
Philip"
"Philip whatT
'That will do today, thank you. The
next time / call will give you my
full name and address,"
"Please yourself. / am no Judge In
this matter" and he wrote on:
Received from Philip. boy who refuses
any other name. but the same whom I
saw In this ONCE on the 10th inst. and
again at the Clerkenwell police court on
that date. thirty meteoric diamonds
Weighing in the gross 629 carats. 1 hereby |
agree to dispose of the same and to rem
der true account of the sales to said
Philip or his agents, my commission to
be 10 per cent, the expetses payable by
me. I have today handed the said Philip |
ESQ In gold and undertake to place $4,000
to his credit tomorrow with my bankers.
REUBEN ISAACSTEIN.
After completing this acknowledge