Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1912-06-14
CHAPTER lx.-(contlnued.)

"IS d.
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 fir,
Goals into your safe deposit vault first
thing In the morning. Hello. you're
counting them off, That's wise"
For with the knife he had left on
the table ! 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 a~lternates.
Go on" said Billings, as | laid down
the knife. You've only removed
two"
Don't believe I'll cut of any MORE"
said. Want you to help me tie up
the others just as they were"
WHAT
insisted. And though Billings pro-
tested and argued and even called me
names, we did as | said.
For. by Jove, you know 1t was per-
fectly clear that II they had been safe
70 long under the little covers, the
Jewels couldn't find any better place.
Singular thing Billings couldn't see 1t.
Besides. the pajamas had to have fast
enings, you know.
held n Of the two rubies under
the light, and, by Jove, l almost drop
ped ibid drop my glass. Seeing a
Ired-hot poker.point In your fingers
would give you the same turn.
"Rippers, Billings! Simply rippers!"
exclaimed.
! held the other ruby beside its fel.
low, Then | waited, listening, and I
heard Billings hand strike down on
the back Of n chair.
II guess I'll be going, old chap" he
said grutly, Think I'd better, after
all" He cleared his throat. Sure
you can't sell me one, Dicky?" Dashed
n his voice didn't tremble.
Quite sure, dear boy" | murmursd,
without turning around. Not mine,
you know-these two"
Billings exploded then. 1t seemed
an opportunity to relieve himself.
mot yours Why, you ~dodgasted idiot.
you nincompoop, you cuckoo, you
chicken head, What notion have you
got In that fools noddle now? II those
,rubies are not yours, whose do you
think they are?"
whirled about quickly. Yours" |
said, and laid them in his hand.
MY compliments, old chap" | add
I'd. smiling, BY Jove! One time, at
least. | put II all over old Billings!
MOI he gasped, crouching over
and gripping my shoulder.
l grinned cheerfully.
He fell into n chair and Just sat
there mounting at me and then at the
Jewels In his hand. Old boy looked
devilish silly. Really acted like he
had some sort OF s%troke--that sort OF
thing.
laughed at him.
Don't you see?" | said, trying 10
explain. Wouldn't have known a
dashed thing about the buttons be-
ing rubies but for you. SO lucky they
came to me so | can get a chance to
help out your collection, Awfully glad.
old chap"
He clenched the jewels, and looked
down.
"Dicky-" He coughed a little hus-
hly as he paused. "Dicky." His voice
was so low | could hardly hear him.
"Dicky, you're off your trolley, and
Tn a damned"
He raised his arm and dropped 1t.
We'll, never mind what" he fin.
ished with a lift of the shoulders,
but | want to say something. It's
about what ! offered you for those
stones. The price-the amount |
named-wasn't ever a decent gamble;
but II was all | could go, and oh. |
wanted one so badly, Dicky! And
now you've made me feel like n dog.
And | can't take your gift, old chap,
any more than ! could afford to offer
you the real value OF one OF these
beautiful stones. Here" And he
passed them back to me.
Il know each OF them to be worth
anywhere from forty to fifty thousand
dollars" he sold quietly. They're the