The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-11-10

1t might have been caught by pair of
dark hands and passed on to one and
another pair until secrecy had swal-
lowed 1t up. The Brahman moved to
the narrow entrance Of the shop and
blocked the opening by carelessly
lounging there.
Farewell, Hanzal- Benal," said Law
Ter courteously. 81 shall return next
year and look ut your goods. II you
have anything of great merit-like the
Eye of Benares-let me know through
the medium Of the public letter writer
Here's my card"
He dropped the bit Of pasteboard
down on the table and turned to go.
As he did so there was a rushing for
ward from the shadowy corners, a
heavy cloak was thrown over bis head,
while agile fingers slipped here and
there among his garments In search OF
the Eye of Benares.
Help, help" yelled Lawler as he
pulled out his revolver and endeavored
to crowd the muzzle under the edge
Of the muffiing cloak.
They pulled out the white handker-
chief in which he had wrapped the
Eye of Benares. only to find 1t empty,
for Stephen Lawer by clever sleight
of hand had deluded them and con-
cealed the ruby elsewhere. While
they searched him with nimble fingers
he struggled to release himself from
their wiry grasp IL was case OF one
against seven. and LAWYER was fast
losing his strength when all at once
there came the welcome sound OF an
English speaking voice. and a stout
stick was laid heavily among the
squirming legs IN the shop.
As If the stick had possessed some
magic inspired by the sharp authori-
tative voice OF its wielder, LAWYERS
assailants vanished. bearing with them
the envelopng cloak Hanzai- BenaI
still sat before his table, replacing the
Jewels IN the box. his placid features
somewhat disturbed.
In the doorway was stout figure
clad in grag hannes-a good Ameri-
can face. clean shaven, strong and ut
terly fearless WHATS all this? Hey.
there baWled the stranger at the
1eweler
Lawler stepped down into the street,
and his hearty hand struck the open
palm OF the newcomer mfr. Ferriss,
where did you come from? | have to
thank Won FOR saving me from nasty
row. You came In the nick of time"
Don't thank me-thank Beatrice
here Ny dear. where are you hiding?
Alb. this is Stephen Lawler-used to
know his father This is my daughter"
LAWYER found himself greeting the
most charming girl he had ever met,
and he wondered why he had never
known that Mr.. Ferriss must have
had daughter He had missed years
of Joy in not knowing her before.
Mr.. Ferriss was indulging In a lin
guistic combat with Hanzai-Be In q
broken mixture Of English, Arabic,
scraps OF Latin and very little Hindu
stani. LAWYER came to the rescue.
Just tell him." sputtered Ferrlss,
hopping his heated brow, that have
called to get the ruby my daughter
left here 10 be engraved. She took a
fancy TO have It engraved. 1t isn't
first class stone; nav as well admit
IT, | picked It up last year at an auc-
ton room ~ Paris. but Bee doesn't
know that She thinks Its a pigeon
blood Tell the old rascal I've come
for 1t and want 1t In hurry; got to
catch train for Calcutta
Lawler looked long into the shrinking
face OF uan2ai Benal, nnd then from
some mysterious source about his gar
ments he brought forth the Eye OF
Benarcs, This the thing" he asked
carelessly
Yes. aud the rascal hasn't touched
II yet. Never mind Here. Beer tie
tossed the counterfeit that was brill
liant enough 10 stand among the rarest
gems without detection. What were
you doing with IT." he asked of Law
Ter, ana the agent told him briefly.
The sight of two revolvers pointed
close to his venerable head induced
HanZai Benal to clap his hands and
bring from the darkness the bag of
RUPEES which Lawer counted before re-
turning TO his pocket THE Eye of
Benares was watching you. Hanzal-
Besal," he said coolly.
As they all made their way to tho
railroad station, for 1t developed that
they were all to sail home ON the same
steamer. Beatrice Ferrss turned to
Lawler
II am afraid you are very unhappy
now that you cannot fulfill your CON-
mission to procure great ruby for
your firm" she said sympathetically.
II haven't regret in the world"
assured LAWYER hastily. II count this
the lucklest day of my llfe."
lie reiterated this statement the day
they were married and he added that
the pair Of brown eyes he had won
far outmatched the tarfamed Rye Of
Benares. which still eludes him.