The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-04-16

| l
ne 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 squinted 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 1 noticed that he
did not relight it. I held the gems
full in the rays of the lamp, and Bill
ings paused, holding a hungry gaze
over his shoulder.
q say, Billings, how much did you
say one was wortn?" l asked care
lessly. For moment he did not re-
ply, but muttered to himself
Il didn't say" he finally replied,
and rather Grossly. Then he whirled
on me impulsively. See here, Light
nut" he exclaimed, eff you'll let me
| have one of those for my collection,
I'll give you twenty-five thousand for
it-there!"
He gulped and continued:
"I'll have to make some sacrifices,
but l don't mind that /"
But 1 shook my head. Really,
could hardly keep from laughing in
his face.
Sorry! Can't see it, old chap"
said. Wouldn't sell one of them at
any price"
Billings gulped again. 81 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 off, That's wise"
For with the knife he had left on
the table 1 was cutting away the
tough threads that held the rubies.
cut off the second and fourth, leay-
ing the first ruby at the collar and
the other two alternates.
GO on" said Billings, as laid down
the knife. You've only removed
two"
Don't believe I'll cut off 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 Jo7e, you know it was per-
fectly clear that if they had been safe
so 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.
1 held one of the two rubies under
the light, and, by Jove, almost drop
ped it-did drop my glass. Seeing a
red-hot poker-point in your fingers
would, give you the same turn.
'Rippers, Billings! Simply rippers!"
I exclaimed.
held the other ruby beside its fel-
low. Then l waited, listening, and
heard Billings hand strike down on
the back of a chair.
81 guess I'n be going, old chap" he
said gruf1y. Think I'd better, after
all.'' He cleared his throat. Sure
you can't sell me one, Dicky?" Dashed
if his voice didn't tremble.
quite sure, dear boy" murmured,
without turning around. mot mine,
you know-these two.''
Billings exploded hen. 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? If 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" 1 add
ed, smiling. By Jove! One time, at
, least, 1 put it all over old Billings!
. "No!" he gasped, crouching over
and gripping my shoulder.
grinned cheerfully.
!, He fell into a chair and just sat
there mouthing at me and then at the
Jewels in his hand. Old boy looked
devilish silly. Really acted like ne
, had some sort of stroke-that sort OF
/ thing.
. l laughed at him.
Don't you see?" I said, trying to
explain. wouldn't have known
dashed thing about the buttons be-
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