Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1908-05-21
.alu possibly

possession y. .aiu possibly
was once his-aud know that sore
day he will wear ne out and ae
threw out bis hands with Il hopeless
gesture and sat down in the chair and
stared into the fire
Il shouldn't think he'd want 1t now"
remarked Coleman grimly. with side
glance 1T the dull green stone in the
case. =. ant imagine any one. es.
pecially clever chaps ike those Indiana
bothering oyer worthless glass"
Lamson sighed IL patiently. Il
thought you woul understand" he
whispered IFS vanished. | hoped Ia
throw them off the tack to make
them believe that I had disposed OF IT,
had I'm imitation made in Paris and
gave rheil every chance to steal that.
bur they would have none of ii. They
know | have the stone and they are
determined 80 have it. They are get
ting impatient nov"
But do YOU mean they ar. 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 rou dropped in half hour
later"
rs he spoke he lifted small round
basket woven Of wicker and with I'D
cu"iousl. fastened. I-e lifted the lid
and becl;oncd the other Rau to look.
"Hesvensr' Coleman stared ut the
gray, iifc!ess coils OF Il tiny snake
There was an odor Of ch 'oroform about
the basket
Lamgon laughed shorty. Il suspect
ed the contents Of the Iskct. have
seen such lings Ia Ia "a. / took pre-
caution to s-ulefy III lm&.e-it is a
deadly ho:nad viper-hefo.e inye r.
gated
How did it set ia hpre?" mutteied
Coleman.
LGmson shrugged his shoulders ana
looked again toward the win]o% ora.
perias, which stirred S,i-htly as by a.
sudden draft Give it up" he said
YEARLY lie YVES silent and Thought
full for Eo-n2nt and then added slow.
ly: Il believe | viii let them have II
after all ! a,l tired OF the chase. It's
wearing on ne. Come let us 30 into
the library" He placed the basket Oh
the table and led the way TO a door ia
corner Of the room.
Coleman followed him with an anx-
ious Gleam il his eyes. and as they en-
tered the library ana the door closcd
behind item he grasped Lamson by the
arm an began. with Gti'ectonatc con,
Germ IL lis voice: Say. old fellow
don't !uu mink that you'ye SOFT of got
the emerald on Your mind? Let it prey
upon you, you know ana that YOU i'm
agine YOU are being pursued
Look" Lamson interrupted him
shortly. He had drawn aside a heavy
curtain and disclosed Il carved panel
through the interstices of which the
interior Of the studio was plainly visi
bic There was the table beside the
fire. On it were the gem cabinet I'M
locked the emerald n It's case and
the wicker snake basket Suddenly tho
window draperies nuttered. and a long
1.-THE, black CARRIED figure glided for
ward. 4 white turhan flashed in the
lampli@ht. and beneath it was dark
skinned face and fiercely brilliant green
eyes. The man lowered over the table
for brief instant and then turned and
glided back 10 the window. Again the
draperies stirred and we're still
Coleman rubbed his startled eyes
The wicker basket was gone The His
sar emerald was gone lie followed
Lamsog back to the studio and watch
ed his friend as he closed and locked
the open window. The artist then step
ped 10 the hearth rug and lighted
cigarette.
And the IIissar emerald began
Coleman noodily, when Lamson stop.
ped him With Il gesture.
us here" he said coolly, swapping
open his silver matchbox and display
ing within its lid the rich green sparkle
and royal splendor Of the Hissar EN-.
erald.