The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-05-19
The HisSar
Emerald.
Copyrighted. 1908. by the Associated
Literary Press.
By CLARISSA MAcKIE.

man eagerly as he fingered the con
tents of his friends gem cabinet-"l
don't see the Hissar emerald. What
has become of it? That was the gen
of your collection"
Lamson leaned forward and drew
out the lower tray Of the cabinet
| From an assortment of small leather
cases thrown carelessly together be
took one and gave it to Coleman
There is the Hissar emerald" he said
quietly.
Coleman pressed the spring and as
the lid flew up uttered startled cry.
"Why-why," he suffered excitedly,
this is not the Hissar'- He paused
interrogatiyely.
ut is the Hissar emerald and none
other" returned Lamson. speaking
with curious deliberation and distinct
ness He took the case from his Wis
itor's hand and shook the huge stone
into his palm.
at is like green glass;" muttered
Coleman. staring stupidity.
| A piece of green stone as large as an
almond, oval In shape, cut In a hun
dred facets that reflected the lamp
light duly, rolled about in Lamson's
| hand.
you are joking" said Coleman, sit
ting back in his chair and looking keen
| " at his host
al wish it were joke" said Lamson
ruefully as he replaced the jewel in the
casket and laid 1t upon the table.
II wish you would tell me about it,
old man." remarked Coleman impa-
tiently, lighting another cigarette. Tell
me about the transformation Of one Of
the most famous jewels of the world
into worthless glass;
'Of course you know its history,
| Coleman" began Lamson. settling back
in his chair. You know purchased it
from an old chap In Bombay for RI
6.culous price-thirty gold rubles-and
the man seemed to be much relieved to
be rid Of the stone. You know it was
in my possession for ten years after
my return from India. for you exam
ined it frequently and admired its color
and extraordinary brilliancy."
Coleman nodded
Three years ago l was in Paris"
continued Lamson. Il had the emerald
with me. / was considering a setting
for it. Several weeks elapsed before
found time to visit a goldsmith. l can
not recollect what did detain me from
going Immediately on my arrival, but
do remember that one day suddenly
~ NJ 70 fha rry{%I,
out further delay. had been carrying
the jewel in a chamois bag which was
concealed in leather belt about my
waist | removed the bag from the belt
and placed it in the inner pocket of my
coat and proceeded at leisurely pace
toward certain shop in the Rue de
Vignier where there was a lapidary
and goldsmith with whom l had done
business.
"As passed a small cafe glanced
carelessly through the open door, and.
upon my word, Coleman, was never
more startled in my life! My gaze en-
countered that of pair of the greenest
eyes ever saw, and. strange to relate,
they sparkled beneath the snowy tur-
ban of Hindoor'
Coleman threw back his head and
laughed heartily. "a green eyed Hin
door he chuckled. eye gods. what a
continuation
Lamson arose and paced the floor
with long, nervous strides. AS he talk
ed he glanced furtively toward the long
windows concealed by velvet draperies.
''Involuntarily stopped and stared
at the man." he continued, land he re-
turned my gaze calmly, coolly. inso-
lently and with such steadiness and
force in the depths of his green orbs
that felt myself drawn toward him
by their very power. In less time than
1t takes TO relate 1t | was seated oppo-
site to him at the small round table
with a glass of absinth before me-
looked at the fellow with fascinated
interest, and he stared at me ia return.
He was fine looking chap, tall, hand
some, with clear dark skin in which
was set those sparkling green eyes.
such an anomaly in a man of his race
that | felt the white turban he wore
must have been assumed as disguise.
With that exception his clothing was
the conventional European Dress
"As lifted the glass to my lips me-
chemically he leaned forward and said
politely, You are the well known art
ist. Mr.. Lamson. are you not, sirY
admitted the fact and made the usual
remark about his having the advan-
tage. He spoke excellent English with
a slight accent, and his reply took me
by surprise. You are the possessor of
the Hissar emerald?' he asked coolly,
with the air of one who had right
to know. I stared at him and made no
reply. After he had repeated the ques-
ton | found breath to tell him that he
might seek that information else
where
what did he say to that?" asked
Coleman, with interest.
Bowed politely and said that he
would take my advice"
"And you didn't favor him with
glance at the stone?" asked Coleman.
with disappointed grimace.
Hardly! He left me then" con-
ttffnued Lamson, lowering his voice to
almost a whisper as he leaned toward
his friend, ''and | never have passed
a moment since then that the fear of
death did not hang over me. That
green eyed devil has tracked me re-
lentlessly around the world. know
of course that it is his intention to get
possession of the emeraIu-posslDIy II
was once his-and | know that some
day he will wear me out and He
threw out his hands with hopeless
gesture and sat down in the chair and
stared into the fire.
IL shouldn't think he'd want it now"
remarked Coleman grimly, with side
glance at the dull green stone in the
case Il can't Imagine any one, es-
pecially clever chaps like those Indians,
bothering over worthless glass"
Iamson sighed impatiently. Il
thought you would understand" he
whispered. ITS vanished. | hope3 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 l have the stone. and they are
determined to have it They are get
ting impatient now"
But do you mean they are herein
New York;" gasped Coleman.
Il 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 small round
basket woven of wicker and with lid
curiously fastened. He lifted the lid
and beckoned the other man to look.
"Heavensp' Coleman stared at the