The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1910-08-18
81 IL DINA'S RIB1HN

and five 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 IL was too thick to be put
into one OF Mr.. Pinney's favorite pill
boxes.
Logotheu undid the paper. took out
the big uncut ruby, laid II 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 a sheet OF white paper"
Mr.. Pinney turned up a strong drop
light that stood on the counter, and
produced the paper and . magnifler.
IT'S a grand ruby" he said.
Il see 1t is" Logotheti answered
rather CURLY.
do you mean to say" asked the
surprised jsweler, that you had
bought it without thoroughly examin-
ing 1t sir-you who are an expert7"
mo. that's not what l mean." an
swered the Greek, bending over the
ruby and scrutinizing 1t through the
strong magnifier.
Mr.. Pinney felt himself snubbed.
which had not happened to him for
long time. and he drew himself UP
with dignity. A minute passed, and
Logotheti 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-rubyi" Mr. Pinney's
jaw dropped. But" He could get
no further.
I'm sorry" Logotheti 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-
traordinarily 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 I 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 1t 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 it with me. ON
the counter here"
That is correct, sir" said Mr.. Pin
ney nervously. THAT is quite true"
Very we'll But did more than
merely look at 1t through a lens or
weigh it. / did not care so much
about the weight, but cared very
much for the water. and tried the
ruby point on IT in the usual way, but
1t was too hard, and then scratched
1t In two places with the diamond.
more out of curiosity than for any
other reason"
you marked II. sirf There's not q
single scratch on this onel Merciful
Providence! Merciful Providence!"
YES" Logotheti said gravely The
girl spoke the truth. She had two
stones much larger than the rest when
she first came to me IN Paris, this one
and another They were almost sx-
actly alike, and she wanted me to
A..vr k.fA A..k AAt
and took the one thought little
better in color. This Is the other. for
she still had t.; and. so far as know,
II is her legal propersy, and mine is
gone. The thief was one OF those
two young fellows who came in Just
when Mr.. Van Torp and went out
remember thinking what nice-looking
boys they werel"
He laughed rather harshly, for he
was more annoyed than HIS considera-
ton for Mr.. Pinney made him care to
show. He had looked forward to CIV
ing Margaret the ruby. mounted Just
as she wanted It; and the ruby was
gone, and he did not know where he
was to find another, except the one
/ tndl was nOW ia Hdnubt Uul
really belonged to poor Baraka, who
could certainly not sell II at present.
A much larger sum OF money was
gone, too. than any financier could
lose with equanimity by such q pc
culiarly disagreeable mishap as be-
ing robbed. There were several rea-
sons why Logotheu was not pleased.
81 am deeply Inundated" said the
worthy old jeweler. Il have not only
been tricked and plundered, but
have been the means of sending limo
cent people to prison"
you had better be the means of
getting them out again as soon as pos
sible," said Logotheti. And you
must also make an effort to trace
those young men who stole the ruby"
II most certainly SHALL" replied the
jeweler, "and If II is not found we
will make 1t good to you, sir, what
ever price you set upon 1t. / am
deeply humiiiated. but nobody shall
say that Pinney & Son do not make
good any loss their customers sustain
through them"