Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-04-16
The Firm Of
Cird|eStOne
BY
A. CONAN DOYLE
SS@Sx~
CHAPTER Y.

During the months which Ezra Girdle
stone had spent in Africa the affairs o.
the firm in Fenchurch street had beer
exceedingly prosperous. Trade upon tn
coast had been brisker than usual. ant
three of the company's ships had come ir
a. short intervals with excellent cargoes
Among these was the Black Eagle, which
u the astonshment of Captain Hamilton
Mjggs and the disgust of his employer
bad weathered a severe gale in the Chan
mel. and had arrived safe and sound once
more. This run of luck, supplemented by
the business capacity of the old merchant
and the indomitable energy of young
Dmsdale, made the concern look so -four
iShing that the former felt more than ever
convinced that if he could but stave of
the immediate danger things would soon
right themselves. Hence he read with
delight the letters from Africa, in which
his son narrated the success of the con
spiracy and the manner in which the min
ers had been hoodwinked. The old mans
figure grew straighter and his step more
firm as the conviction grew upon him
that the company would soon return once
again to it's former condition of attiuence.
1t may be imagined. therefore. that
when the rumors of bona fide diamond
find in the Orange Free State came to
his ears John Girdestone was much agi-
tated and distressed. On the same day
that he saw the announcement in the
papers he received letter from his son
announcing the failure of their enterprise.
After narrating the robbery, the pursuit,
the death Of Farintosh and the announce
ment of the new discovery, it gave an az
count of his subsequent movements.
"As to our speculation. the letter said,
1t is. Of course. all up. Even when the
Russian business proves to be hoax, the
price of stones will remain very low on
account of these new fields. 1t is poss
BILE that we may sell our lot at some small
profit. but it won't be the royal road to a
fortune that you prophesied nor will it
help the firm out of the rut into which
you have showed it, My only regret in
leaving Africa like this is that Williams
will have no one to prosecute him."
This letter was rude shock to the
African merchant. Within a week of the
receipt of it his son Ezra. gloomy aud
hdNtI "dihSu lhlO Tic ShhNl"h
at Fenchurch street and confirmed all
the evil tidings by word Of mouth. The
old man was of too tough fiber to break
down completely but his bony hands clos
ed convulsively upon the arms of the
chair, and a cold perspira ton broke out
upon his wrinkled forehead as he listened
- such details as his son vouchsafed to
sfford him.
You have your stones all safe.
he stammered out at last.
They are in my box at home" said
Ezra, gloomy and morose. leaning against
the white marble mantelpiece. We'll ne
lucky if we clear as much as they cost
and a margin Tor my expenses and Lang
worthy's A broken head is all that
have got from your fine scheme
who could foresee such a thing?' the
old man said. plaintiyely. "The fall III
prices is sure to be permanent"
1T will last for some years, anyway"
Ezra answered. The Jagersfontein
gravel is very rich, and there seems to be
plenty of it,"
And within a few months we must 20
pay both capital and interest. We are
ruined =" The old merchant spoke in a
broken voice. and his head sank upon his
breast. when that day comes he con-
tinued. "the firm which has been for thir-
ty years above reproach, and model to
the whole city, will be proclaimed as a
concern. Worse still. it will be
shown to have been kept afoat for years
by means which Will be deemed fraudu-
lent | tell you, my dear son. that #
any means could be devised which would
avert this-any means should not hes
itate to adopt them. ! am a frail Old
man. and feel that the short balance of
my life would be small thing for me to
give in return for the assurance that the
work which | have built up should not be
altogether thrown away
Your life cannot affect the matter )nc
way or the other unless il were more
heavily insured than it is Ezra said,
callously. though somewhat moved by uiS
fathers intensity of manner. perhaps
there is some way out Of the wood yet,
he added. in a more cheerful tone.
ITS so paying so prosperous-th [ s /.
what goes to my heart If it had ruined
itself it would be easier to bear it, nut
i is sacrificed to outside speculations-
NY wretched, wretched speculations. That
IS what makes it so hard" He touched
The bell, and Gilray answered the sum
mons. Listen TO this, Ezra. What WAS
Dur turn over last month, Gilray?"
Fifteen thousand pounds. sir" said tho
little clerk. bobbing up and down like
buoy in a gale in his delight at seeing the
Junior partner once again.
And the expenses"
Nine thousand three hundred Uncom-
non brown you look, Mr.. Ezra, to be
,ure uncommon brown and well. | hopes
Is you enjoyed yourself in Africa. sir, ani
vas too much for them Hottentots and
8oars." With this profound chronological
.emark Mr.. Gilray bobbed himself out of
he room and went back radantly to his |
nix stained desk.
Look at that" the old man said. when |
he click of the outer door showed that |
he clerk was out of earshot over FIVE |
housand profit in a month. Is it not ter |
ible that such a business should go to |
uin? What a fortune it would have |
'een for you"
1T must be saved :" cried Ezra with |
neditative brows and hands plunged deep |
n his trouser pockets. There y that |