Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1908-11-05

"After a few moments had passed
the youth returned. Balancing him
self on shattered pillar he opened
his hand There, in his palm, bare
of any wrappings, lay the splendid
jewel.
Then suddenly the diamond glowed
like a ball of red fire and, even as
we looked. blue vapor arose from
the youths outstretched hand, and 1t
was empty.
Il started forward, when sheet
of lightning seemed TO fall upon my
head and ere | could utter an excla-
nation the charred and blackened
body of the Indian youth fell at my
feet.
"One bolt of lightning had con-
sumed the diamond and second had
blasted the youth beyond all likeness
TO human being"
1t was the murdered Dr. Gold
man speaking; there could be no
doubt of it now. l turned to Hauf-
man. He was grasping his chair to
keep from falling. He paid no atten-
ton to me as went forward and took
his arm, but with bent and straining
head waited for the words that should
come from behind the curtain.
I'VE took up the Indians body"
continued the voice. land carried 1t
back TO Fehzeh on litter, yelled
from sight by green boughs dripping
with the rain.
Arrived at the village, Maj. Put
nam explained TO the natives that the
Indian youth had been struck by the
lightning, while, at the same time, /
drew Lieut.. Kaufman aside into the
brush back OF the bungalow of our
host, an Indian physician, and de-
manded an explanation as to his pc
culiar knowledge OF the diamond and
the place OF its concealment."
Again / looked at Kaufman. He
was not trembling now. but his whole
body was stiff with tension as he bent
forward in that intense listening at
titude.
"As | questioned Lieut.. Kaufman"
continued the voice, The grew inso-
lent, then suddenly demanded to
know if i thought that he had stolen
the diamond and concealed it in the
ruins of the temple. l bluntly replied
that / believed him thief and a
trickster.
Even as spoke he drew his sword
and stabbed me to the heart,"
During the latter part of this speech
| had stolen forward TO the curtain
so as not to miss a word, but now
| suddenly wheeled around upon my
companion. A terrible light had
broken upon me. 1t was Lieut.. Hauf-
man who was last with DR.. Gold.
man before his death. II was Lieut..
Kaufman who had fixed the crime OF
murder upon a native, innocent in
every eye but his own. Was it Hauf-
man who had murdered DR.. Goldman
A moment our eyes met, then, half
falling across the table, Kaufman
cried out: For Gods sake, don't lift
that curtain"
turned half around, clutched the
curtain, and drew it aside.
The dining-room before us was
empty.
No one had left that compartment
yet to make doubly sure | swept aside
the curtains about me and looked out
into the open aisle Of the restaurant
There was no one there but col
ored waiter. called him TO me and
inquired who had just retired from
the compartment adjoining my own
| He stared and pointed at the table
] Then ] saw that the table was set
prepared for guest, and had not been
disturbed
l paid the bill and led Kaufman 10
my hotel. had never liked the
man, though business had long bound
us together. However, | would see
that he had justice.
Then arose the question. Was DR.
Goldman alive? No; had moi
helped TO bury him with my own
hands after decomposition had set in
What, then, was | TO make OF the
voice had heard, and the speech that
could have proceeded only from the
lips OF the murdered man?
| 10ere cOuIu DC no iTlCk, L wei
knew, for the knowledge OF that jour
ney TO Fehzeh and it's secret purpose
was lodged In but three memories
the memory of the murdered Dr.
Goldman, Haufman's and mine, ant
knowing this ! saw no escape from
the conclusion that the dead man hat
spoken.
AT about ten o'clock that night some
! one knocked at the door OF my room
Kaufman started up from the bool
that he was vainly endeavoring tC
read and demanded: who is there?'
The answer came distinctly: "1t II
|, DIR. Goldman"
l believe ! never saw such horror
as was depicted in the countenanct
of Lieut.. Kaufman at these words.
arose from my chair and softl,
leaped TO the door. Turning my fac,
from the panels so that my voic,
would seem to one outside to come
from distance. | also demanded
WHO is there?"
1T is /, DR.. Goldman"
!