The Springfield herald., 1912-05-03


told him that would. and left.
You may ask why I had any truck
with such a complete blackguard. but
the answer is obvious: had guessed
from the first that there was some.
thing In the mystery of the green dia-
monds which would not bear exposure
from Brewers point Of view, and his
tale confirmed the opinion. had
learnt from 1t two obvious facts: one
that Jules Galimard was anything but
the friend of my friend; the other.
that this man knew perfectly well
that sham diamond necklace was
buried with Nine. Brewer. 1t came to
me then, as in flash, that he, and he
alone, must have stolen, or at least
have come into possession Of. the real
necklace which 1 had made.
How to undeceive the good soul who
entrusted me with his case was the
remaining difficulty. He had loved
this woman SO: and yet instinct sug-
gested to me that she had been un-
worthy of his deep affection. That
she had been untrue to him l did not
know. Galimard might have stolen
the Jewels from her. and have re-
placed them with false set; on the
party to the fraud. What, then. should
I say, or how much should dare with
the great responsibility before me
of crushing a man whose heart was
already broken?
With such thoughts re-entered the
apartment in the Rue de Morny. AS l
did SO. the servant put telegram into
my hand. and told me that M. Jules
Galimard was with his master. Fate.
however. seemed to have given the
man another chance, for the cipher
said:
Green & Co. in error. they should
have sent the stones only: necklace
not for sale; clients name unknown.
acting for Paris agents."
l walked into the room with this
message in my pocket; and when
Brewer saw me he jumped up with
delight. and introduced me to a we'll
dressed Frenchman who had the red
rosette In the button-hole of his fault
less frock coat. and who showed a row
of admirable teeth when he smiled
to greet me.
Here is jules" said Brewer, my
friend I have spoken of. NJ. Jules
Galimard; he has come to help us, as
said he would: there is no one whose
advice would sooner take in this hor-
rible matter"
bowed stif11y to the man, and
seated myself on the opposite side
Of the table to him. AS they seemed
to wait for me to speak, l took up
the question at once.
WELL" I said. speaking to Brewer: /:
but turning round to look at his friend.
as uttered the words, II have found
out who sold the sham necklace to
the man in the Due de Stockholm;
the rogue Is racing tout named Bob
Williams!"
Galimard turned right round in his
chair at this, and put his elbows on
the table. Brewer said: God bless
me, what scamp"
And" continued. "the extraor-
dinary part of the affair is that this
scoundrel was put to the business by
man he met at Longchamps last
month. 1t was obvious that this man
stole the real necklace. and now de-
sired all traces of his handiwork to
be removed from Nine. Brewers
coffin. l have his name," with which
direct remark looked hard at the
fellow, and he rose straight up from
his chair and clutched at the back OF
1t with his hand. For a moment he
seemed speeches.; but when he
found his tongue. he threw away. with
dreadful maladroitness, the opening l
had given him.
Madame gave me the Jewels" he
blurted out. that l will Swear before
any court"
The situation was truly terrible.
the man standing gripping his chair.
Brewer staring at both Of US as at
lunatics.
What do you say? What's that?"
he cried; and the assertion was re-
peated.
II am no thief!" cried the man.
drawing himself up in way that was
grotesquely proud, "she gave me the
jewels, your wife, week after you
gave them to her. 1 had a false set
made SO that you should not miss
them; here is her letter in which she
acknowledges the receipt of them"
The old man-for he was an old
man then in speech, in look. and in
the fearful convulsions of his face
sprung from his chair. and struck the
rascal who told him the tale full In
the mouth with his clenched fist. The
fellow rolled backwards. striking his
head against the iron Of the fender;
and lay insensible for many minutes.
During that time l called a cab. and
when he was capable of being moved,
sent him away in 1t. I saw clearly
that for Brewers sake the matter
must be hushed up at once. blocked
out as page in a life which had been
false in its every line. Nor did
pay any attention to Galimard's raving
threat that his friends should call
upon me in half an hour; but went up
stairs again to ind the best soul that
ever lived sitting over the hre which
had been lighted for him, and chatter
ing with the cackle Of the insane. He
had the letter. which Galimard had
thrown down. In his hands, and he
read 1t aloud with hysterical laugh
ter and awful emphasis.
l tried to speak to him, to reason