The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-09-11

WIN kult DTOWS anu usHteHeu lIp5'
What on earth does this mean
demanded Sir Reginald.
# will explain presently, said
Vane. Il should like to ask Mr..
Reece a question" He looked across
at Reece. Il understand, sir, that
you are disposing of the Giant Ruby,
as it is called, for the sum of twenty
five thousand pounds
THAT Is So assented Reece; 'on
behalf of another person"
Quite So" said Vane drily. Whore
is it?"
Reece took the box from his pocket
a gain and placed it on the table.
There it is he said.
Vane turned the stone out on the
table and flicked it with his finger
and thumb.
1T is nothing of the kind" That
is not the ruby. They gazed at him
in silent astonishment, as if they
were dumbfounded. That isn't the
ruby at all, HE continued gravely. 1t
is counterfeit; a remarkably clever
one, but a counterfeit, all the same
"W hat" exclaimed Mr.. LeXham;
wi lie Dexter Reece, flushing holly,
laughed ineredulously.
You surely don't expect me TO be-
lieva that 70 he said, with a sneer.
"Of course not responded Nane.
In your place, should be just as
inCredulous. You will consult an oX-
pert. of course. I'm not one; but | We
taken an interest in precious s.ones,
and I'm open to bet you-that is
he corrected himself in tone which
was like the cut of whip, IF | cared
to make "A bet with you, which
don't-a thousand to one, that this
thing is, as say, counterfeit of
colored crystal"
moment; then Sir Reginald said,
with suppressed agitation:
Are you sure, Vane? 1t is Incl ed
ible--!"
Vane nodded confidently.
If am quite sure, sir he said: 80
sure that | will ask you to tear up
that little agreement, and return to
Mr.. Reece this pretty title sham, with
your permission to do what he bally
well likes with It,"
Recce looked from one to the other
with a half-defiant. half-confused air.
If this is not the Giant Ruby-of
course, | know that it is; know how
came by it-I mean"-he faltcred
for moment-"if this is not it, whore
1t is?"
In my pocket replied Nane que
ly, almost casually. They all stared
at him, far TO overwhelmed TO utter
word.
At last Dexter Rcece gasped, with
a laugh and a sneer;
"Show-show it to u.s."
Il will" said Vone: IF you will lie
good enough to take up that counter
felt and put it in your pocket. II Is
so like the real Simon Pure, that we
don't want to run the risk of any-er
confusion
As Dexter Reece, with trembling
hands, took up the box, Vane with
drew his hand from his pocket, open
ed it, revealed similar box, and
slowly and deliberately turned out of
it, on the table, a stone like, and yet
unlike, that which was clenChed in
Dexter Recess sweating palm. 1t
was unlike, because, though it resem
bled the other in size and shape, it
was of an indescribably rich color
and cleaned and flashed as if it were
piece of molten fire
No eye, resting on 1t for moment,
could doubt its genuineness, coull fail
70 mark the difference between it and
ltN NOuuNtl ltll. btNltU Htttt VI III
over it, As If he were fascinated; he
tried TO speak, but no sound proceed
ed from his livid lips. Unconsciously
he stretched out his hand towards it
but Nane's strong hand closed over |
ne priceless gem, and Dexter Reece |
shrank back and collapsed in chair.
Great heaven!" exclaimed Sir Reg |
inald What does it mean? Where
Where did You get it,"
From under a stone in the old tow
ef" said Vane quietly. The firs,
time went there with Evelyn-yes.
sir, shall ask your permission to cali
Miss Desborough by that dear name
i let a hammer fall on one of the
stone slabs; it sounded hollow. { did
not think much of it at the time; but,
when | saw that Mr.. Reece's ruby was