The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-11-10
Observation-Disclosures
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1911
The Eye Of
Benares
A Man Counts His Loss as
Gain
BY CLARISSA MACKIE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.
BY CLARISSA MACKIE

SlOueS WAS dustg, Sun Sh'lAISu "'iSJ
in the business quarter of Benares.
The striped awnings, unstirred by any
breeze, dropped Imply above the tiny
shops burrowed out Of the stone walls.
Stephen Lawler swung briskly down
the narrow thoroughfore, his blue eyes
keenly awatch for a familiar face. At
last he came to the shop of Hanzai-
Benal and, thrustlng aside the hang
ings, stopped and entered.
The proprietor, aged, white bearded
and patriarchal of visage, sat like
hewn stone image of "Contented Old
Age" Before him was a large. heavy
block of Agra granite, worn smooth
by much trafficking and rubbing OF
leather jewel bags in brown, slim
hands.
my lord Is late" remarked Hanzai-
Benal, with a trace of reproach In his
kindly tones, as he slgnaled for the
American to be seated on the rich rug
before the stone table Il might be
browsing in the heat of the noontide,
but the Eye of Benares-it never
sleeps. and 1t watches for the coming
of its master.'
LAWYERS eyes followed the backward
jerk of the Hindus thumb, and he
stihed sharp exclamation Of wonder
at the sight Peering down at him
from the gloom of the darkened in
terror was lurid red and angry eye
no -. l.ata IN
man. Fiereely glowering out of space,
at first 1t impressed him as exertlng
some strange influence over him. Then
he laughed shortly and remembered
that he was In India and must keep
his wits about him.
80 that is the famous Eye of Ben
nares2" he asked with assumed nom
chalahce.
The jeweler nodded solemnly. 1T
never sleeps, and 1t seeks unerrlngly
the souls of the wicked. No wrong
doer can hide from its searching light.
what is now passing through the brain
of my lord is revealed to the eye"
Il have heard all that before, Han.
zal-Benal," remarked Lawler slgnin-
cantly. MY time Is limited, as
must catch the train for Calcuttn,
where n steamer awaits me-"
Il was only reminding my lord of
the mysterious power of the ruby"
said the Hindu humbly as he opened
large ebony box and placed 1t on
the stone table. He pulled out tray
after tray and placed them before
his customer, revealing glittering
array OF precious stones-diamonds,
rubies. emeralds, pearls, lapis lazuli
and apphres-bankrupt spells from
the treasure chests of many Il hard
pressed prince.
what are these2" demanded Law
Ter without interest as the stones un-
der the jewelers. skillful manipulation
da2zled his eyes almost to blindness.
Perhaps my lord prefers one of
these to the Eye of Benares," suggest
ed Hanzai-Benal craftily.
"The deal Is Off. Hanzai- Benal," said
Lawler CURLY. i've dlckered with
you over this COMPOUNDED ruby for the
past two weeks. and now when
come to you with the purchase money
you sldestep the bargain. Not an
other rupee will l add to the offer
made you, and you will either deliver
the goods now or consider the incl
dent closed Which shall it beT
MY lord has purchased the ruby"
said the Hindu hastily. He clapped
his hands sharply and then held his
palms upward The Eye OF Benares
dropped softly down into Hanzal-
Benal's slim brown fingers and was
deftly flashed In LAWYERS face and
the bargain be concluded2' asked the
leweler suavely.
Lawler dropped to his seat ON the
rug and took the beautiful stone be-
tween finger and thumb. The sunlight
increased It's brilliance thousandfold.
From every finely cut facet 1t radIated
light and color-the color OF blood
He bent over the stone, examining 1t
closely and even bringing out mag
nlfying glass to assist his keen eyes.
There was not one flaw on this mag
uihcent jewel which was as large as
walnut and slightly lattened In
shape
HanzalB enal watched his customer
auNbously. He knew that Stephen
Iawler was agent for n large Ameri-
can firm Of importing jewellers, and
the sale OF the Eye OF Benares was
not their first business transaction,
though II was destined TO be their last
Slowly the American brought forth
his leather wallet, together with
heavy bag Of gold These he set down
on the table among the jewel trays
and close beside the ruby he had pur.
chased. Your letter, writer IS here
the notary" he asked. 1.-THE transac,
ton must be In writing"
For an instant the Hindu hesitated.
and then he elapped his hands. From
the shadows there were evolved the
dim outlines CT a turbaned form, ami
then there slipped down on the carpet
the thinnest specimen of a Brahmin
priest that LAWYER had ever seen, and
te had seen good many.
1'pr priest or secretary or notary
he acted in whatever capacity he was
iSquiith -uItW lorlu II roll OF yellow
paper aud an inkhorn from the tin
writing ease at his waist. He -four
ished u long goose quill ana adjusted
huge horn spectacles ON his nose.
II am ready" he uttered. his little
black eyes fixed greedily on the ruby.
Lawler, In the suffering Hindu
stani he had learned, dictated the
terms of the short document. Wher
he had concluded and the paper had
been duly signed and witnessed Law.
Ter counted out the price of the Eye OF
Benares and pushed pile Of golden
rupees across the table.
At the same instant he picked up the
ruby and, carefully rolling 1t in silk
handkerchief, placed it in the Inner
pocket of his linen coat The Brahmar
watched him ceaselessly.
Lawler rose to his feet with SHARP
breath of satisfaction at the conclu
sion Of such good piece of business