The wageworker., 1910-04-29

10 small cAO1net In TIE wall. PfeS.
emily he returned with a small ebony
box, which he gave to Eastman. Then
he reseated himself and watched his
companions earnestly as they opened
the box and rather gingerly removed
the maharajahs ring from its white
velvet bed.
1t was as Bentley had described it,
a 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 I have it for a day or two,
Bentley?' asked Eastman after awhile.
Certainly. Keep it as long as you
like, but remember that it will bring
you nothing but evil and evil in its
most bitter form. You have a wife
and child, and you should not risk dis
aster."
"I will take my chances" returned
Eastman, with a confident SMILE II
believe I know how to handle it, old
man."
Remember, I warned you, East
man, and Laidlaw is witness to my
warning" said Bentley, raising hag-
gard face toward them.
'That's all right, Bentley. And now
my advice is to go to bed and get
good nights rest. You are all tired out
with your long journey and with the
recital Of your painful narrative. I
believe can help you, and will"
They shook hands cordially with
their host, but it was not until they
had emerged upon the street that
Laidlaw 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 p asked Eastman quietly.
"Of course / would, but he can't be
helped. He's either the victim of a
series Of remarkable condolences or
else the ring is a poisoned one"
'You are wrong in both instances,
Laidlaw. I have theory which 1 will
work out, and then will call upon you
to congratulate me- The scientist
spoke with an air of confidence that
impressed his companion.
II hope you will, Eastman cried
Laidlaw earnestly, '''but you can't
bring back the dead, you know, and
that's what the matter with Bentley"
"Wait and see,' 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 power
full 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 abstracted, 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
maharajah's ring.
Then one day several months after
the evening Of Bentley's return from
India the three men gathered at East
mans suggestion in the formers
study, Eastman in his corner by the
fire, Laidlaw stretched in a steamer
chair and Bentley lounging in great
leathern 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"
"Whaty Bentley sprang to his feet
and then passed a hand absently
across his brow. ''You have discovered
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."
'It was a hot day." said Eastman
quietly.
$50 it was. Confound it all, but l
can't remember much about that day
except that they told me I saved the
maharajah's life. 1 was glad of that"
said Bentley simply.
"Can you bear a shock, old man?"
asked Eastman kindly.
"What is it? Yes, I 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. Fitz-Norton, the wife