Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-10-24
The Eye Of
Benares
A Man Counts His Loss as
Gain
By cLARlssA MAcklE
Copyright by American Press Assoc
citation, 1911

SteDben LaWler swung Dr1Skly uOWu
the narrow theroughfore, his blue eyes
keenly awatch for familiar face. At
last he came to the shop of Hanza1-
Benal and, thrusting aside the hang
ings. stopped and entered.
The proprietor, aged. white bearded
and patriarchal of visage, sat Ike a
hewn stone image Of "Coutented Old
Age" Before him was 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 signaled 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 it watches for the coming
OF its master!'
LAWYERS eyes followed the backward
jerk of the Hindu's thumb. and he
stifled 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
that seemed to belong to nothing hui
man. Fiercely glowering out Of Space
at first It impressed him as eXerting
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 q. Rem
nareS?" be ask -t'1 &.3r - on
chaIar"c
iii, jor at-.t sQsn 1t
rsyer ,iaau.. u.. g., ,s Ga"'" ~
I'll. NO wrong
!.nacls now passing through the brain
OF my lord is revealed to the eye"
II have heard all that before. Han
zai-Benal," remarked Lawler sjGnij-
cantly. .'NIy time is limited, as |
must catch the train for Calcutta.
where steamer awaits me-"
u was only reminding my lord or
the mysterious power Of the ruby,
said the Hindu nunlbiy US he opened
a large ebony box and placed 1t On
the stone table. lie pulled out tray
after tray and placed them before
his customer. revealing a glitterlng
array OF precious stones-diamonds,
rubies. emerals, pearls, lapis laZull
and MISUNDERSTANDING spoils from
tho treasure chests OF many q nara
pressed prince.
what are these" demanded Law
To- .hout interest as the stones I'M
jewelers. skillful manipulation
i his eyes almost to blindness.
;,err Us my lord prefers one OF
* "a he Eye Of Benares," suggest
a,aa -Benal craftily.
....l is of. Hanzai-BenaI," said
r e,.rtly. i've dickered with
yo ~, IS confounded ruby for the
nm. 'eeks, and now when |
CON with the purchase money
YOU .5..ay.. the bargain. Not an
othe, a, i'll ! add to the offer |
made you will either deliver
the q .~ or consider the Incl
dent G, y lich shall it be-"
NV ;gs ,lt.., purchased the ruby"
soid the sr.2a@ astily. He clapped
his HAND su.w.'r and then held his
palms III 1~ re Eye OF Benares
dropped ErT d"'7n INTO Hah%ai-
Benaps 81 u g.5~ fingers and was
deftly hasr.a ii. Ylers face and
then placed ar tie Syoae table. Shall
the bargain ~ it..i@.t4 q! asked the
jeweer suave'T
Lawler dro3pea I as seat on the
rug and took a haaVl.ul stone be-
tween finger az numb. The sunlight
increased its brilliance thousandfoid.
From every finely cit facet it radiated
light and coior-the color of blood.
He bent over the stone, examining II
closely and even bringing out mag
nifying glass to assist his keen eyes.
There was not one, Gaw on this mag
nifccnt level. which was as large rs
walnut and slightly tiattened IL
shape.
Hanzai- Eenal watched his customer
anxiously. He knew that stepher
Lawler was agent for a large Amerl'
can firm Of importing jewelers., ana
the sale of the Eye Of Benares was
not their first business transaction.
though it was destined to be their last.
Slowly the American brought forth
his leather wallet, together with I
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 rotary" be asked. THE transac.
lion must he in writing"
For an instant the Hindu hesitatef.
and then lie capped his hands. From
the: shadows there were evolved the
dim outlines OF a turbaned form, and
chen there slipped down on the carpet
the thinnest specimen Of a Brahmin
priest that Tawler had ever seen. and
he had seen a good many.
The priest or secretary or notary
lie acted in Whatever capacity be was
e.