The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-01-10
The Empires Dream
Amazing Adventures of Gang of Thieves
Who Stole a World-Famous Dia-
mond of Fabulous Wealth.

III VAIN VI illlC
money"
But he had the diamond?"
Yes, he had that; and, as I said be-
fore. some one had been sent from
England to trace the jewel and offer
a price for it. This agent discovered
Drawn about the same time I did.
Drawn accepted the offer, and brought
the stone to London"
"And you had no chance on the way
| over?"
my dear Winton, apart from the
fact that Drawn has the strength of
| six men and seems to sleep,
you must remember that a steamer is
not a London street, where you can
make a snatch and u round a cor
ner. That kind OF business IS more In
Hammond's line than mine"
And, II I mistake not, here Is
Hammond now"
A series Of loud knocks reverberated
through the house, and in q few min
utes the door Of the back room was
opened a little way and a rubicund
face, surmounted by a closely-cropped
head OF the bullet type, was humor-
ously wagged at the occupants.
"Evenin', gents all. Mr.. Percy
Twist. sir, your humble to COM
mand; glad to see you back. Mr.. Win
ton, my lord, my ~respec's."
ooh, come in and close the door,
and your mouth at the same time!"
THAT amt 'orspitable, Mr.. Winton,
--s 90 A. < --~o =.
ready"
"Well, help yourself, then attend to
business"
"Business! I'm full Of business.
Anybody as knows Bill Jack Ham
mondll tell yer that: lor', when I
used ter buff in the ring at ten stone
six l."
Twill you be quiet, and liSten?"
"Suttingly, boss; ~suttingly."
MI. Hammond, or, to give him the
name by which he was known in his
own immediate circle, Noisy Ham
mond. helped himself to whisky, &C
cepted a cigar. and continued his fur
Their remarks in occasional husky ejac-
ulations.
Nov to continue said Twist.
Although Mr.. Drawn is a giant in
STRENGTH and stature he is s~ingularly
childlike and suile1ess in talking about
his own affairs. and I was not long in
discovering that he had received an
offer for the diamond amounting to
sixty thousand pounds"
what! Sixty thou for a sparkler!"
calculated Hammond.
Not half its value" said Winton.
''Why, it is a perfect rose diamond of
two hundred and eighty carats, and
one Of the greatest specimens in the
world"
1--WE need not discuss it's value,
which is exactly what it will fetch.
The mar who negotiated it's purchase
was sent out by Dodson & Dicks, the
lawyers, or behalf Of one of their
clients. The arrangements were COM
pleted to-day. and tomorrow Joe
Drawn delivers the jewel to the pur-
chaser"
"And did you find out who the
purchaser was?"
ut is not likely that I would neglect
such an important point. When the
diamond changes hands 1t will pass
into the possession of John Bre1t Of
S%tallf1eld, Kent"
John Brent of S%tallfeld!" With m
exclamation Of surprise Winton start
ed to his feet.
why, do you know his?" asked
Twist.
Il am interested in his daughter,
Mary Brent, who Is at present with
Miss Dauncey at Lechmere House
school; but John Brent lives In q it,
tie ~three-roomed cottage and exists
like a begger."
"All the better for our purpose
man is an eccentric miser, cracked on
the subject Of diamonds, and has
been tracing the Empire Dream since
1t disappeared at the sack Of Delhi in
81"
And are we going to nick IT." ask
ed Hammond.
THAT is our intention" said Win.
ton; land now let is arrange details.
It 10. Of course, impossible for me to
take part In the actual robbery for
fear Of being seen by Joe Drawn"
"It amooses me the careful way In
which the boss looks after his skin"
observed Nosey. Hammond can do
the punchin' part, an the boss can
smoke his Hintimidad ceegar an
drink his sherry wine."
BE quiet" put In Twist. Nov, /
propose that Hammond and l go down
to-morrow evening by motor car; the
goggles will form an excellent dis
guise, and I anticipate no trouble. The
question is. What are we going to do
with It when we have got 1t? After
our last little affair I, don't care about
crossing the channel with it. What
do you think, Winton?"
Thanks. I'd rather not risk the In.
q~uisitiveness of the French police q
second time"
why not let me take 1t over?'
asked Hammond.
my dear Hammond. l can trust
your right arm for a good knockout
blow, but your tongue is a triAe un-
ruly. II you once had the diamond in
r,,r vOcc0ccinp vCy, uOul1 MANI -