Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1908-01-09
The Empires Dream
Amazing Adventures of Gang of Thieves
Who Stole a World-Famous Dia-
mond OF Fabulous Wealth.
CHAPTER /.

| typical London slum somewhat incon-
| gruously named Little Gem street a
man sat at greasy table meditating
over cigar. His features were emf
nently patrician; his fair hair, parted
down the center, gave him look Of
effeminacy, and a slight mustache
failed to conceal somewhat irreso.
lutte mouth. His dress clothes, hall
hidden by long ulster, were strange.
ly out of keeping with his dingy sur
Iroundings.
| A cheap clock on the chimneypiece
struck the hour OF twelve, and as the
last stroke died away the door opened
and man entered.
We'll, Twist, you've got back at
last?"
Yes; and am glad to see that you
got my wire," answered the new
conner Where is Hammond"
There is no use making an appoint
ment with Hammond until after clos
ing time, and, besides, thought we
could have chat first"
Il am glad of that, Winton; 1t will
| be as well not to trust Hammond with
too much, and have lot to tell you"
| We'll, sit down, help yourself, and
begin at the beginning"
Montagu Winton lit fresh cigar,
land Percy Twist the newcomer, mix
ed himself drink
Well, what have you discovered?"
My dear Winton, since we arranged
that | should so to Australia and find
out the whereabouts Of Joe Drawn
| and the famous diamond known ais the
Empires Dream / have discovered
| many things. First and foremost
was not long in realizing that | was
not the only one engaged in the
quest"
You mean?"
Il mean that while / was working in
secret and on the crook, another agen-
cy was openly on the search with the
object OF legitimate purchase
who were the principals in the
mattcr2''
Il will tell you that later. also dis
covered that five years ago an attempt
was made to obtain possession OF the
diamond from Joe Drawn by i man
named Jasper Garlick. This fact
seems to explain why you were SO re-
;luctant to go to Australia yourself"
Indeed! And Why"
tut, my dear Winton, reticence be-
tween us is foolish. | made the ac-
| quaintarice OF Joe Drawn, and in his
simple. child1ike manner he told me
the whole story. When Drawn kept a
| tavern at Ballarat, this Garlick was a
remittance man with bad reputation;
nevertheless he captured the affec-
ticns of Audrey, the tavernkeeper's
daughter. When Drawn heard of the
fact he was furious, and as he
thought, put an end to 1t, but love
proved too strong. and then one day
Audrey and Garlick disappeared
"They Disappeared! echoed Win.
ton.
Both at the same time; and the
fair Audrey left note for papa say.
ing that, as he had always promised
her the Empires Dream fos we'd
ding gift, she had taken 1t with her.
.But she hadn't"
mo, my dear Gerlick--I beg pardon,
Winton You betrayed yourself there;
no, she hadn't. Papa Drawn kept his
valuables in such loose manner, and
the diamond was mixed up with such
odds and ends OF specimens. that the
poor girl in her hurry made a mistake
and took the wrong box"
why go into these "reminiscences q
s5:.I only want to warn you. my dear
fellow. 1t appears that Joe Drawn
loved his daughter, and four years age
| he sold his tavern, and has since been
/ spending the proceeds, and his time
i In looking for his erring child. He ap
4 pears to be under the impression thai
/ when Audrey discovered her mistake
\ she would have very little sugar II
her pie, and. IL such proves to be the
case, he proposes to make It very I'm
/ healthy for Jasper Garlick when ht
comes across him"
There are a few thousand miles
between here and Australia"
..Granted, my boy; but there are
very few thousand yards between 10,
Drawn and Garlick. 3
what do you mean T.?
II mean that Joe Drawn crossed
i with me in the same ship and is nov
4 in London, with the Empires Dream
In his pocket 55
Joe Drawn In London!' murmure'
i Winton.
Yes; and he means no good to you
j Where Is the g.rl?" asked Twist.
Heaven knows; I don't. She wa
4lsnf2 no use Il, ms xvh an | found shn h 9,
brought an ugly piece OF gold ore il
q stead Of the Empires Dream lef
4 her In Sidney. !" "
And didn't care about trying you
Il luck again. Well, perhaps you wer
q right; I'd rather face half-a-doze
bears any day than Joe b sIl55Trsst
ID his back up" Il.
Z Veil, let us proceed to bushes.
u Where did 5vou find FRA yn p s5s88