The Somerset reporter., 1908-04-09

Hardly. He left me then" con-
tinued Lamson, lowering his voice to
almost a whisper as he leaned toward
his friend and | never have passed
moment since then that the fear of
death did not hang over me. That
green eyed devil has tracked me re-
lenuessly around the world. l know
of course that It is his intention to get
possession of tho smerald-possibly II
was once his-and ! know that some
day he will wear me out and He
threw out his hands with a hopeless
gesture and sat down in the chair and
stared into the fire
81 shouldn't think he'd want 1t now"
remarked Coleman grimly. with side
glance at the duh green stone In the
case. 81 can't imagine any one. es-
pecially clever chaps like those Indians,
bothering over worthless glass"
Lamson sighed impatiently. II
thought you would understand" he
whispered. "It's vanished. | hoped to
throw them off the track-to make
them believe that | had disposed of It,
| had an imitation made in Paris and
gave them every chance to steal that
but they would have none of It, They
know | have the stone, aud they are
determined to have it. They are get
ting impatient now"
But do you mean they are herein
New York?' gasped Coleman.
81 found this on the table when
came in after dinner. The chances are
that you might have found me done
for when you dropped in a half hour
later
AS he spoke he lifted a small round
basket woven of wicker and with q lid
curiousy fastened. He lifted the lid
and beckOned the other man to look.
Heavens Coleman stared at the
gray, ifeless coils of a tiny snake
There was an odor of chloroform about
the basket
Lamson laughed shortly. Il suspect
ed the contents Of the basket. | have
seen such things In India. took pre-
caution to stupefy the inmate-it is a
gated"
How did it get In here2" muttsred
Coleman
Lamson shrugged his shoulders and
looked again toward the window dra-
perles, which stirred slightly as by a
sudden draft. Give 1t up" he said
YEARLY He was silent and thought
full for moment and then added slow
ly: II believe | will let them have 1t
after all. | am tired Of the chase. It's
wearing on me. Come, lot us go into
the library" He placed the basket on
the table and led the way to a door In
a corner OF the room.
Coleman followed him with an anx-
ious CLEAN in his eyes, and as they ell
tered the library and the door closed
behind them he grasped Lamson by the
arm and began, with affectionate con-
Germ in his voice: Say. old fellow,
don't you think that you've sort of got
the emerald on your mind2 Let 1t prey
upon you, you know. and that you i'm
agine you are being pursued
"Lookp' Lamson interrupted him
shortly He had drawn aside a heavy
curtain and disclosed a carved panel
through the interstices of which the
interior OF the studio was plainly visl-
BILE. There was the table beside the
fire. On 1t We're the gem cabinet nm
locked. the emerald In its case and
the wicker snake basket. Suddenly the
window draperles huttered. and long
1.-The black CARRIED figure gllded for.
ward. white turban flashed In the
lampight, and beneath 1t was dark
skinned fnce and fiercely brilliant green
eyes. The man lowered over the table
for Il brief instant and then turne and
glided back to the window. Again the
draperes stirred and were still.
Coleman rubbed his startled eFrs
The wicker basket WAS gone The His
sar emerald was gone. He followed
Lamson back to the studio and watch
ell his friend ~ he closed aud locked
the open window. The artist then SCI.
ped to the hearth rug and lighted II
cigarette
And the fTlssar emerald begun
Coleman moodlly. when Lamson stop
ped him with II gesture
as here" he said coolly. swapping
open his silver matchbox and display.
ing within its lid the rich green sparkle
and royal splendor of the Hssar EN-
erald.