The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-09-25

sand or it may be less. but do not
think will be far out in my estimate
Are you agreeable"
Some inner monitor told Philip that
the man was talking on sound business
lines. There was ring of sincerity in
his voice. Apparently he had thrust
temptation aside and was firmly re-
solved to be content with his 10 per
cent.
And this might we'll be. Twenty-Five
thousand pounds a year earned by n
few journeys to the continental few
haggling interviews in the Hatton Gar
den office! What gold mine! More
over, he would be the head man in the
trade. He was that now, in some re-
spects, but under the new conditions
none could gainsay his place at the top.
Even the magnates Of Kimberley would
be staggered by this new source of sup
ply. What did 1t matter IL the boy
kept to his rags and amazed the world
so long as the diamonds were forth
coming? 1t was no silk hated gentle
man who first stumbled across the dia-
mond laden earth of South Africa.
Isaacstein had made up his mind. Fate
had thrust this business into his lap.
He would be a fool to lose it out Of
1aere curiosity.
YES" said Philip. 81 agree to that"
Samuel yelled Isaacstein.
Coming, sir" was the answering
shout. and f1urried clerk appeared.
Bring in the scales, Samuel"
The scales were brought and a level
space cleared for them on the desk.
Philip, of course, had never before
seen an instrument SO delicately ad-
justed. A breath would serve to de-
press the balance.
The boy held forth his paper and
poured the contents into the tiny brass
tray of the scales. Samuers mouth
opened and his eyes widened. 1t was
his first sight of the diamonds.
-Four ounces eight pennyweights five
grains-629 carats in thirty stones
oh, good gracious mel" murmured the
clerk.
Isaacstein checked the record care
fully.
"Rightr' he said. "Put them in the
SAFE"
Philip raised no protest this time
He knew that the man would keep his
word. Indeed, Isaacstein told Samuel
to bring him fifty sovereigns, and ere
the man returned he began to write
on sheet of letter paper:
Received from Here! What's
your name?" he broke in.
"Philip.''
"Philip what?'
THAT will do today thank you. The
next time 1 call 1 will give you my
full name and address"
please yourself. I am no judge in
this matter" and he wrote on:
Received from Philip, a boy who refuses
any other name, but the same whom
saw in this office on the Goth inst. and
again at the Clerkenwell police court on
that date, thirty meteoric diamonds
weighing in the gross 62s carats. hereby
agree to dispose of the same and to rem
der true account of the sales to said
Philip or his agents. my commission to
be 10 per cent. the expenses payable by
me- I have today handed the said Philip
ESQ in gold and undertake to place $4,000
to his credit tomorrow with my bankers.
REUBEN ISAACSTEIN.
After completing this acknowledge
ment he scrubbed something else.
There" he said, with a sigh of re-
lief, that is not a very formal docu-
ment but it will suffice. You can get
It stamped tomorrow at Somerset
House. Just sign this receipt for ESQ"
Philip took the two papers and read
them carefully. Isaacstein's handwrit-
ing was a scrawl, but legible enough.
The boy reached for a pen and signed
his Christian name. He was on the
point of adding his surname in an un-
guarded moment, but he felt the mans
eve on him. so he simply wrote phil
ip' across the stamp at the foot of the
receipt
Isaacstein fully appreciated the Incl
dent and knew that his own eagerness
defeated the chance. all the more pow
erful because it was involuntary, OF
ascertaining the name of this marvel
Gus youth.
Philip gathered up his gold, not with
out counting the coins. They felt
strangely heavy in his pocket-much
heavier than the stones they replaced.
of the value of those fintlike pebbles.
What a queer problem 1t was, this ra-
ito of worth between a few stones and
the bright minted sovereigns!
what time shall I call tomorrow ?"
he asked, standing cap in hand, ready
to take his departure.
AT IL. But wait one moment Have
you no friends to look after you? See
what trouble you may get into. Why.
the mere possession Of so much gold
by boy like you may
st can take care of myself, Mr.. Isaac
ernoon."