The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-10-21

rather early in the dull season, when
few customers are to be expected and
the days are not so long as they have
been. In the latter part of August,
in London, the sun sets soon after
seven o'clock, and Logotheti realized
that he had no time to lose.
AS he drove quickly up towards
Bond street, he ran over the circum-
stances in his mind, and came to the
conclusion that Baraka had probably
been the victim of trick, though he
did not exclude the bare possibility
that she might be guilty.
He found Mr.. Pinney in the act of
turning the discs of the safe before
going home and leaving his shopman
to shut up the place. He smiled with
grave satisfaction when Logotheti en-
tered.
Il was hoping to see you, sir" he
said. II presume that you had my let
ter? l wrote out the account with
great care, as you may imagine, but
shall be happy to go over the story
with you If there is any point that is
not clear"
Logotheti did not wish to hear it;
he wished to see the ruby. Mr.. Pin
ney turned the discs again to their
places, stuck the little key into the
secret keyhole which then revealed
itself, turned it three times to the left
and Eve times to the right, and opened
the heavy iron door. The safe was an
old-fashioned one that had belonged
to his father before him. He got out
the japanned tin box, opened that,
and produced the stone, still in it's
paper, for it was too thick to be put
into one of Mr.. Pinney's favorite pill
boxes.
Logotheti undid the paper, took out
the big uncut ruby, laid it in the palm
of his hand, and looked at it critically,
turning it over with one finger from
time to time. He took it to the door
of the shop. where the evening light
was stronger, and examined it with
the greatest care. Still he did not
seem satisfied.
Let me have your lens, Mr.. Pin
ney." he said, ''and some electric light
and sheet of white paper"
Mr.. Pinney turned up a strong drop
light that stood on the counter, and
produced the paper and a magnifer.
"It's a grand ruby" he said.
Il see it is," Logotheti answered
rather curtly.
do you mean to say" asked the
surprised jeweler, that you had
bought it. without thoroughly examin-
ing it sir-you who are an expert?"
mo, that's not what I mean," an
swered the Greek, bending over the
ruby and scrutinizing it through the
strong magnifier.
which had not happened to him for a
long time. and he drew himself up
with dignity. A minute passed, and
Logotheu did not look up; another
and Mr.. Pinney grew nervous; a few
seconds more, and he received shock
that took away his breath.
"This Is not my ruby" said Logo
theft, looking up, and speaking with
perfect confidence.
"Not-your-ruby!" Mr.. Pinney's
jaw dropped. But" He could get
no further.
I'm sorry," Logothet said calmly.
I'm very sorry, for several reasons.
But it's not the stone brought you,
though it's just as large, and most ex-
traordfnarily like it."
But how do you know, sir?" gasped
the jeweler.
Because I'm an expert, as you
were good enough to say Just now"
"Yes. sir. But am an expert, too,
and to the best of my expert belief
this is the stone you left with me to
be cut the day before yesterday. I've
examined it most thoroughly"
mo doubt" answered the Greek.
But you hadn't examined mine thor
oughly before it was stolen, had you?
You had only looked at 1t with me, on
the counter here"
'That is correct, sir" said Mr.. Pin
ney nervously. "That il quite true"
Very well. But I did more than
merely look at 1t through q lens or
weigh it. I did not care so much
about the weight, but cared very
much for the water, and tried the
ruby point on 1t in the usual way. but
1t was too hard, and then I scratched
It In two places with the diamond,
more ant of curiosity than for any