Mexico Missouri message., 1910-02-17

SJSps anu MI. van lOTp lOunu uGLuSSll |
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 |
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 10.
gotheti politely, Il don't mind waiting
in the least Mr.. Pinney and l are
in the midst of discussion that may
never end, and believe neither of us
has anything in the world to do"
Mr.. Pinney smiled benignly and put
in a 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
theti," said Van Torp, answering the
latter, "but 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
a little distance, took off his hat, and
looked at the gem on the counter.
81 don't know anything about such
things, of course" he said in tone of
reflection, "but should think that
was quite nice ruby"
Again Mr.. Pinney smiled benignly,
for Mr. Van Torp had dealt with him
for years.
TITS a very fine stone, indeed, sir"
theti again. II think we can under
take to cut it for you in London" he
said. II will weigh it and give you
a careful estimate"
AS a matter of fact, before Van Torp
entered, Logotheti had got so far as
the question of setting the gem for a
lady's ring, but Mr.. Pinney, like all
buC 6lCdI JCNNlClb1 was do ulSCl GCI
and tactful as a professional diplo-
matist. How could he be sure that
one customer might like another to
know about ring ordered for lady?
If Logotheti preferred secrecy, he
would only have to assent and go
away, as If leaving the ruby to be cut,
and he could look in again when it
was convenient; and this was what
he at once decided to do.
81 think you're right, Mr.. Pinney,"
he said. IL 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 well go together, If
you like, and have a little chat.
only came to get another of those ex.
ira large collarstuds you make for me,
Mr.. Pinney. Have you got another?'
1--WE always keep them in stock for
your convenience, SIR" answered the
famous jeweler, opening a special lit.
tie drawer behind the. counter and
producing a very small morocco case
Mr.. Van Torp did not even open it,
anu hdu dllSduy ldlu uOWu Tue ulOuGg
for he knew precisely what it cost.
Thanks" he said. You're always
SO obliging about little things, Mr.
Pinney."
"Thank you, sir. We do our best
Good-morning, sir, good-morning,"
The two millionaires went out to
gether. Two welldressed men stood
aside to let them pass and then en-
tered the shop.
(Which way?" asked Logotheti
"Your way" answered the Amer
ican. i've nothing to do"
"Nor have J." laughed the Greek
Nothing in the worldI What car
anybody find to do in London at thi:
time of year?"
Pm sure don't know" echoed Var
Torp, pleasantly. 81 supposed yol
we're on the continent somewhere"
"And l thought you were in Amer
ica, and so, of course, we meet at ole
Pinney's in London!"
Really! Did you think I was il
} America? Your friend, the heather
: girl in boys clothes, brought me you
card this morning. l supposed yoI
! knew ! was here"
t mo, but / thought you might be
! within six months, and gave her sew
} eral cards for people know. So sh,
found you out! She's a born ferret
+ she would find anything. Did you bu,
a anything of her?"
mo. I'm not buying rubies to-day
5 Much obliged for sending her, all tn
r same. You take an interest in her,
!, suppose, Mr.. Logotheti? Is that so?
1 1?" Logotheti laughed a little
s mo, indeed! Those days were lon
/. ago. I'm engaged to be married
a "By the bye, yes. I'd heard thai
and meant to congratulate you. l d
r now, anyway When is it to be? SCI
4 tied that YETI"
l. Some time in October, think 9
s you guessed that Barak is a girl"
"Yes, that's right. l guessed sh