Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-03-07

He reflected that the very last thing
he had ever expected was present
OF fine ruby from a pretty heather
girl in mans clothes. recommended to
him by LOgotheti Though he almost
laughed at the thought when 1T &C.
CURED to him, he did not like the idea
OF keeping the stone; yet he did not
know what to do with it, for 1t was
more than probable that he was never
to see Barak again, and If he ever did,
It was at least likely that she would
refuse to take back her gift, and as
theoretically as on the first occasion.
At that moment 1t occurred to him
that he might sell it to a dealer and
give the proceeds to Lady Maud for
her good work, and taking his hat and
gloves he went out Immediately, with
out even telling Stemp that he was
going.
He walked up at leisurely pace
from his hotel by the river to Piccadil-
~ and Bond street, and entered jew
eler's shop of modest appearance but
ancient reputation, which had been in
the same place for nearly a century,
and had previously been on the other
side of the street.
Outside, two well-dressed men were
looking at the things in the window;
within, broad-shouldered. smart
looking man with black hair and
dressed in perfectly new blue serge
was sitting by the counter with his
back to the door, talking with the old
jeweler himself He turned on the
chair when he heard the newcomers
Nv \
face to face with Konstantin Logo
theti, whom he had supposed to be in
Paris.
Well he said, without betraying
the surprise he felt, this is what I
call very pleasant accident, Mr.. Lo-
gotheti."
The Greek rose and shook hands,
and the American did not fail to OBJ
serve on the counter a small piece of
tissue paper on which lay an uncut
stone, much larger than the one he
had in his pocket
If you are in any hurry" said Lo-
gotheti politely, 81 don't mind waiting
In the least. Mr.. Pinney and I are
in the midst of a discussion that may
never end, and I believe neither of us
has anything in the world to do"
Mr.. Pinney smiled benignly and put
in word in the mercantile plural,
which differs from that of royalty in
being used every day.
The truth is, we are not very busy
Just at this time of the year." he
said
That's very kind of you, Mr. Logo
theft" said Van Torp, answering the
latter, cut I'm not really in a hurry,
thank you"
The stress he laid on the word real
ly' might have led one to the conclu-
sion that he was pretending to be, but
was not. He sat down deliberately at
little distance, took of his hat, and
looked at the gem on the counter.
Il don't know anything about such
things, of course" he said in tone of
reelection, but l should think that
was quite a nice ruby"
Again Mr. Pinney smiled benignly.
for Mr.. Van Torp had dealt with him
for years.
It's a very fine stone. indeed, sir"
he said. and then turned to Logo
theft again. 81 think we can under
take to cut it for you in London" he
a careful estimate"
As matter of fact. before Van Torp
entered, LOgotheti had got so far as
the question or setting the gem for a
lady's ring, but Mr.. Pinney, like all
the great jewellers, was as discreet /
and tactful as a professional diplo- /
matist. How could he be sure that
one customer might like another to /.
know about ring ordered for a lady? /
II Logotheu preferred secrecy, he .
would only have to assent and go
away, as If leaving the ruby to be cue. /
and he could look in again when it .
was convenient: and this was what I.
he at once decided to do.
81 think you're right. Mr. Pinney,"
he said. 81 shall leave it in your
hands. That's really ALL" he added, /
turning to Mr.. Van Trop.
Really? MY business won't take
long either and wen go together II