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

-un~SuCceSSlui, duu WIFI very ilLle
money"
But he had the diamond?"
Yes, he had that; and, as l 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 never seems to sleep,
| you must remember that a steamer is
not a London street, where you can
| make a snatch and run round a cor
ner. That kind Of business is more in
Hammond's line than mine"
And, II l mistake not, here IS
Hammond now"
A series of loud knocks r~everberated
through the house, and in a 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.
SEEM as the bottle an glasses is
ready"
"Well, help yourself, then attend to
business"
"Business! I'm full Of business.
Anybody as knows Bill Jack Ham
mond'l tell yer that: lor', when I
used ter bun in the ring at ten stone
six l."
"Will you be quiet. and liSten?"
"Suttingly, boss; %suttingly."
Mr.. 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 singularly
childlike and guileless 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 c~arats, and
one Of the greatest specimens in the
world"
1--WE need not discuss its value,
which is exactly what it will fetch.
The mar who negotiated its purchase
was sent out by Dodson & Dicks. the
lawyers. on behalf Of one of their
clients. The arrangements were COM
pleted today, and tomorrow Joe
Drawn delivers the jewel to the pur-
chaser"
"And did you find out who the
purchaser was?"
1T is not likely that I would neglect
such an important point. When the
diamond changes hands it will pass
into the possession Of John Brent Of
Stallfield, Kent"
John Brent of Stallfeld!" 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 a lit
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
it 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; "and now let us arrange details.
It IL, Of course, impossible for me to
take part in the actual robbery for
fear Of being seen by Joe Drawn"
1T 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, 1
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 1t when we have got It? After
our last little affair I don't care about
crossing the channel with 1t. What
do you think. Winton?"
Thanks. I'd rather not risk the in
quisitiveness Of the French police q
second time"
why not let me take it over?"
asked Hammond.
my dear Hammond. I can trust
your right arm for a good Knockout
blow, but your tongue is a trife un-
ruly. II you nee had the diamond in
your nossessiOn YOU would want IN