The Raymer enterprise., 1911-08-17
"of what7" asked the sailor drows-

ny.
THE stolen jewels" muttered the
trader. II wish had the chance Of
buying them. l would give good
price, / warrant you"
What price would you give?"
queried the sailor, with q forced
laugh.
How could l tell. unless / saw
them! returned the trader.
The sailor became thoughtful and
silent. The trader continued to mum.
ble incoherently Of gems, gold and
jewels. until the sailor. overcome by
his potations. stretched himself on the
bed and fell asleep. Then his erst-
while companion crept slowly from
the room and sought bis own chamber.
The next morning the two men
drank their tea together. and the
sailor invited his friend to accompany
him into the city.
you say you are from Constan.
tinopleT' queried the sailor. - they
walked on.
Yes, live there"
III you were . rich man might be
able to put something In your way
that would double your wealth." said
the sailor. glancing sharply at his
companion.
II am not rich." said the trader ex-
citedly. but can got money for any.
thing like . good deal. Tens Of thou.
sands. millions Of roubles, II need be.
l have good backing. and l want to
get rich. Tell mo what your plan isf''
Have you any friends in Moscow"
mo. l am . stranger hero. But l
have come to trade. 1will lend money
at interest on safe security. or l will
buy anything that I can sell again
Meet me at the same lodgings to.
night and l may put something worth
while in your way" said the sailor.
II must leave you now"
Count on me-" returned the trader
eagerly. by the way. how are you
called?"
II am known as Captain Biloxi.
command a small trading vessel do
Ing business In the Black Sea. She Is
being overhauled at Axov. The two
friends you saw last night will be with
me when meet you"
Good. l will be there without fail"
The sailor went OF, and the trader
continued to walk through the town.
When nine o'clock came 1t found him
by the big stove in the restaurant.
Soon afterwards Captain Biloxi came
In. He approached hurriedly and re.
quested the trader TO accompany him
to his room.
What Is your name?" inquired
Biloxi. as he shut the door.
'Nikolai. Peter Nikolai. was born
In Poland, but have been trading in
Constantinople and the Levant for
many years"
You are good for a deal In a big
way and can be trusted to keep your
mouth shut?"
That is my business returned the
trader earnestly.
At this point the door opened and
Blocks companions Of the previous
night entered. They looked at Blok's
visitor suspiciously.
Hes all right" said Biloxi reas.
suringly. Then turning to the trader
he continued: Now, look here, Peter
Nikolai. you say you can command
money!"
"Yes. to any extent"
VERY we'll. We have some stun to
sell, and we are going to take you to
see 1t. The stun Is contraband. there.
fore you must be careful. And II you
play US false. your throat will be cut
and your body flung into the river
Maskva. as sure as there is God
above US"
The four men descended the stairs
and went into the street. It was a
very dark night; the lamps In that
quarter were poor affairs and gave
but little light. They had proceeded
for short distance when Blok said:
"Nikolai. before we 90 any further
you must let US blindfold you"
The trader protested, but finally
yielded. and a thick scarf was bound
about his eyes. They led him along In
silence for some time. until. by the
sound Of flowing water. the trader
knew he was near the river. A halt
was made. There was the grating Of
keys in lock. q door was opened and
Nikolai was led forward into a
passage, while the door was locked
and barred. He was then taken down
a flight Of stairs, where the bandage
was removed and = light procured.
Nikolai found himself In cellar. with
an arched brick roof. from which water
dripped. while the floor Of red brick
was Shiny and foul In one corner
was a large trunk. This was opened
and some bundles lifted out, placed
ON a table and united. There shone
before the traders eyes heaps OF
precious stones. including diamonds,
rubies. amethysts. pearls. sapphires
and turquoises. Biloxi held the lamp
so that its rays were thrown full on
the gems, and the three men watched
Nikolai's every movement He ex.