Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-04-25
unuer these covers"


miration-regular trance, you know.
by Jove! l remarked, just to stir
him up a bit. And he unloaded a
great funnel of smoke and continued:
my theory is that during some
danger, some mandarins' war, likely
somebody got cold feet about these
Jewels and roped them in with these
bits Of silk-see how different they
are froU the rest OF the stun! Then,
when the roughhouse came, these pa.
jamas were swept along in the sack.
ing-sort Of spoils of pillage, you
know. 1t was a clever method Of con.
cealment-clever because simple-a
hiding place unlikely to be thought OF
because right under the eye. You re.
call Poe's story Of The Purloined Let.
terT"
/ asked Billings how much he
thought one of the rubies was worth.
had In mind how devilish hungrily
he had looked at them. But he sighed,
then frowned and answered impatient.
ly:
That's it! That's the trouble about
all the rare and beautiful things OF
this life! Always some debasing.
prohibitive sordid money value, dam
mit!"
He squintcd at the stones again and
let the weight Of one rest upon his
finger. He shook his head signing.
We'll, they're over twenty carats
each, and therefore, of course, many
times the value OF first water dia-
monds. After you get above five
carats with real Oriental rubies, dia-
monds are not in it,
With an abrupt gesture he pushed
the things away and rose. His pipe
had gone out, but | noticed that he
did not relight it. l held the gems
full in the rays of the lamp, and Bill
Ings paused, holding a hungry gaze
over his shoulder.
Il say. Billings, how much did you
say one was worth?" l asked care
lessly. For a moment he did not re-
ply, but muttered to himself
Il didn't say" he finally replied,
on me impulsively. See here, Light
NUT" he exclaimed. "if you'll let me
have one of those for my collection,
I'll give you twenty-five thousand for
it-therei"
He gulped and continued:
"Tll have to make some sacrifices,
but don't mind that. l.
But l shook my head. Really, l
could hardly keep from laughing in
his face
Sorry! Can't see 1t, old chap"
said. Wouldn't sell one OF them at
any price"
Billings gulped again. Il suppose
not; don't blame you. Way you're
fixed. you don't have to-" He walked
slowly to the window and back Take
my advice. Dicky, and get those fire
Goals into your safe deposit vault first
thing in the morning. Hello, you're
counting them on! That's wise"
For with the knife he had left on
the table l was cutting away the
tough threads that held the rubies. /
cut OF the second and fourth, leav-
ing the FIRST ruby at the collar and
the other two alternates.
60 on" said Billings, as I laid down
the knife. You've only removed
two"
Don't believe I'll cut on any more"
! said. Want you to help me tie up
the others Just rs they weTe.-
What"
/ insisted. And though Billings pro-
tested and argued and even called me
names, We did as said.
For. by Jove. you know II was per
fectly clear that II they had been safe
20 long under the little covers, tho
Jewels couldn't find any better place.
Singular thing Billings couldn't see it.
Besides, the pajamas had to have fast
enings, you know.
held one OF the two rubies under
the light and, by Jove, l almost drop
ped ibid drop my glass. Seeing a
red-hot poker-point In your fingers
would give you the same turn.
"Rippers, Billings! Simply rippers!"
exclaimed.
held the other ruby beside its fell
low. Then l waited. listening, and
heard Billings hand strike down on
the back of a chair.
81 guess I'll be going, old chap" he
said gruff1y. Think I'd better. after
all" He cleared his throat. Sure
you can't sell me one, Dicky?" Dashed
II his voice didn't tremble.
quite sure, dear boy" murmured,
without turning around. Not mine,
you know-these two"
Billings exploded then. 1t seemed
an opportunity to relieve himself |
mot YnnrsI Why Nnn dnd pasted idiot