The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1910-04-20
w HOLE NO. 1855

1t was as Bentley had described 1t,
broad band of pure gold. and sunk
deep in the shank was an exquisite
amethyst of rich purple tints. The
face WAS exquisitely carved. showing
a pagoda in relief 1t was harmless
looking. but very beautiful.
May l have it for day or two,
Bentley" asked Eastman after awhile.
certainly. Keep it as long as you
like, but remember that 1t viii bring
you nothing but evil and evil In its
most bitter form. You have wife
and child. and you should not risk dis
aster"
Il will take my Chances" returned
Eastman, with Il confident smile. II
believe | know how to handle it. old
man"
Remember, | warned you, East
man, and Laidlaw is witness to my
warming said Bentley. raising a bag
gard face toward them.
That's all right, Bentley. And now
my advice is TO go 10 bed and get
good nights rest. You are all tired out
with your long journey and with the
recital of your painful narrative. |
believe can help you, and | WILL"
They shook hands cordially with
their host. but 1t was not until they
had emerged upon the street that
Iaidaw spoke.
THAT was rather rough of you.
Eastman" he said Indignantly. after
he told you the story of the girl you
should have let the matter drop. He's
all broken up over the matter"
Wouldn't you help him If you
could?" asked Eastman quietly.
"Of course | would, but he can't be
helped. He's either the victim of u
series of remarkable condolences or
else the ring Is Il poisoned one"
You are wrong In both instances,
| I.aidlaw. | have theory which l will
work out, and then will call upon you
10 congratulate me-" The scientist
spoke with an air of confidence that
| impressed his companion.
Il hope you will. Eastman" cried
I.aldlaw earnestly. but you can't
bring back the dead. you know, and
that's what the matter with Bentley"
walt and Sec" was the reply as
Eastman turned in at his gate When
he reached his laboratory In the top of
the house he flung his coat and hat
upon chair and drew the ebony box
from his pocket Then with n power
ful glass he examined the maharajah's
ring with frowning brow that denoted
the intentness of his interest.
with long drawn Sigh he carefully
| replaced the ring In the ebony box;
then he sat down and wrote several
letters. which he was careful to post
that night In spite of the lateness of
the hour.
Several months passed, during which
no mention was made of the amethyst
ring. Bentley lounged about his rooms,
moody and distracted, while Laidlaw
dropped in now and then for few
brief words of cheer as he made his
busy rounds. Eastman came, too, and
had long, quiet talks with Bentley,
during which he strove to learn more
Of the life which Bentley had spent in
India. but he never mentioned the
ma harajah's ring.
Then one day several months after
the evening of Bentley's return from
India the three men gathered Mt East
mans suggestion In the formers
study, Eastman in his corner by the
fire. Ladlaw stretched in Il steamer
chair and Bentley lounging In n great
lenthcrn chair with his feet on the
skin of the tiger that had threatened
the life Of the maharajah They talked
upon Indifferent subjects for awhile.
and then Eastman said carelessly:
by the way, Bentley. have discov-
cred the mystery of the ring
What" Bentley sprang to his feet
and then passed hand absently
the mystery Of the-ring?" he STAN
mered.
certainly" replied Eastman cheer
fully. You remember the day you
saved the life of the maharajah
Surely"
ut was a hot day" said Eastman
quietly
so 1t was. Confound 1t all, but l
cant remember much about that day
except that they told me | saved the
ma harajah's life. | was glad of that
said Bentley simply.
Can you bear II shock. old man"
asked Eastman kindly.
what is II? Yes. | can bear any
thing"
You are mistaken about the deadly
character of the ring. Bentley" He
spread three letters written on thin
foreign paper on his knee and went
on. The old maharajah OF no matter
what writes me he Is enjoying excel
lent health, Mrs. FltZ- Norton, the wife
OF HE scoundrelly army man, Is
cheerful widow; young Ellsworth Is
rs husky and alive as he ever was,
and the only man who toppled over ct
the Calcutta club that night was your
self. for il was the evening of the day
of the tiger hunt, and you had suffered
II sunslrosc ON that day, and you have
forgotten aud imagined things ever
since You are MI right now
!, look Of intense relief spread over
Bentley's faee, his eyes frightened,
aud he looked from Laidlaw's bewil-
dered countenanee to Eastman's face
Of quiet strength THANK God" he
said Then. with boyish eagerness, he
cried And Muriel-Muriel Vivian--my
love what of her."
Why" laughed Eastman. with SYM
pathetic moisture In his eyes, Miss
Vivian and her father are registered
at the ST. Alexis. believe. and
But Bentley had seized his hat and
J disappeared.