The Irish standard., 1909-09-18

getting up, so that lie sat facing the
door. A moment later Stomp had
ushered in the visitor, and Was gone.
A slim youth came forward without
holiness, but without the least timidi-
ty, as If he were approaching an equal.
He had an oval face. no lnustache, a
complexion like cream, short and
thick black hair and very clear dark
eyes that met the Americans fearless
ly. He was under the average height.
and he wore rather thin. loose gray
clothes that had been made by good
tailor. His hands and feet were
smaller than Europeans
$50 you're Mr.. Barrack," Mr.. Van
Torp, said. nodding pleasantly.
The young face smiled, and the
parted lips showed quite perfect teeth.
"Barak," answered the, young man,
giving the name the right sound.
yes, I understand. but l can't pro-
nounce it like you. Take chair, Mr..
Barrack. and draw up to the table"
The young man understood the ges-
ture that explained the speech and sat
down.
$50 you're friend of Mr.. Logo
theti's, and he advised you to come to
me? Understand? Logotheti of Paris !"
Barak smiled again, and nodded
quickly as he recognized the name.
The American watched his face atten.
lively.
"All right" he continued you can
trot out your things now, right on the
tablecloth here"
He had seen enough Of Indians and
Mexicans in his youth to learn the
simple art Of using signs, and he east
" made his meaning clear to his visi-
tor. Barak produced little leathern
bag. not much bigger than an ordinary
purse, fastened with thin thongs,
which he slowly united. Mr. Van Torp
watched the movements Of the deli
cate fingers with great interest, for he
was an observant man.
With those hands," he silently re-
nected "it's either lady or thief,
or both
Barak took several little twists Of
tissue paper from the bag. laid them
in row on the tablecloth and then
began to open them one by one Each
tiny parcel contained a ruby. and when
the young man counted them there
were five in all. and they were fine
stones II they were genuine; but Mr..
Van Torp was neither credulous nor
easily surprised. When Barak looked
to see what impression he had pro-
duced on such desirable buyer, he
was disappointed.
Nice" said the American careless
ly; mice rubies. but I've seen better.
I wonder If they're real. anyway.
They've found out how to make them
by chemistry now, you know"
But Barak understood nothing, of
course. beyond the fact that Mr.. Van
Torp seemed Indifferent, which was a
common trick Of willy customers; bat
there was something about this ones
manner that was not assumed. Barak
took the finest of the stones with the
tips of his slender young fingers, laid
1t in the palm of his other hand, and
held 1t under Mr.. Van Torp's eyes,
looking at him with an inquiring ex-
precision. But the American shook his
head.
mo rubies to-day, thank you," he
said.
Barak nodded quietly, and at once
began to wrap UP the stones. each in
its OVID bit Of paper, putting the twists
back into the bag one by one Then
he drew the thongs together and tied
them In neat sort OF knot which Mr..
Van Torp had never seen. The young
man then rose to 30. but the million.
aire stopped him.
Say, don't go Just yet. I'll show
you a ruby that'll make you sit up"
He rose as he spoke, and Barak I'M
derstood his smile and question, and
waited. Mr.. Van Torp went into the
next room, and came back almost i'm
mediately, bringing a small black mo-
rocco case. which he set on the table
and unlocked with little key that
hung en- his watchchain. He was not
fond OF wearing jewelry. and the box
held ill his possessions Of that sort,
and was not full. There were three
or four sets Of plain studs and links;
there were half dozen very big gold
collar studs; there was bit OF an old
gold chain. apparently cut of at each
end, and having one cheap little dia-
mend set In each link; and there was
a thin old wedding ring that must
have been a woman's; besides a few
other valueless trinkets, all lying loose
and in confusion. Mr.. Van Torp shook
the box little, poked the contents
about with one large finger, and soon
found an uncut red stone about the
size Of hazelnut, which he took out
and placed on the white cloth before
the visitor.
Now that's what call ruby" he
said, with smile of satisfaction. Got
any like that. young man? Because
II you have I'll talk to you, maybe.
Yes" he continued, watching the orr
entails face, ~ told you I'd make you