The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1912-10-18

rapier thrust, beautiful enough to
hang about the neck of a princess;
brilliant enough to glorify the hut Of
a toiler in the fields; but there was
one-ah!" His recollection reveled in
widening circles until its force was
spent. For a long time, his hands
motionless again, he sat gazing into
the past. Britt, feeling that he was
on the edge Of an important disclos-
ure, waited patiently. Fitch scarcely
breathed.
IT mind me-" the one-time curio
dealer resumed, "of the one great dia-
mond that came as the grand reward
of all my labor All, that was dia-
mond! But though it was wonderful
achievement, I dishonored myself in
the making of 1t for" and a faint
flush deepened on his parchment
face, 81 fashioned 1t for gain!"
Without an instant's warning he
pushed away the bench, dropped his
face into his hands and gave way to
grief that moved equally the man long
hardened to dissection Of the body
and the veteran crime hunter accus-
toned to vivisection of the soul. Few
things are more terrible than to see
an old man weep. It Is dual sur
render, for tears are the prerogative
of youth and womanhood. Britt and
Fitch with difficulty controlled their
own emotions just for a moment, for
tears streamed over the ashen coIn-
tenance of the broken amateur al
chemist, and his wasted form writhed
and rocked in convulsive sobs.
81 have had my punishment" said
Martin when at last the tempest had
spent itself "but, oh, the long years
the long years of remorse! Urged
by poverty, that enemy of seekers aft
er truth and beauty, I succumbed to
the temptation the stranger held out
to me. | made the great diamond as
he desired-and gave It to him for
his gold!"
The doctor glanced swiftly at the
detective and started to speak. Britt
raised a warning hand and Fitch
checked his exclamation. Seating
himself for the first time the Central
Office mantle prober of mysteries
laid his hand encouragingly on the
diamond-maker's shoulder, and said:
There now; don't let 1t distress
you so much. Other men have done
things far worse than that"
Nothing could be worse" screamed
Martin, spr1nging from the low stool
on which he sat and facing his visi-
tors in an agony of abasement 81
sold the delight of my eyes, the light
of my life, the star Of my soul-the
queen Of all jewels, the purest, truest,
most beautiful diamond the world has
ever known!"
YES" said the detective, but don't
forget 1t was yours to sell. You had
right to do as you pleased with IT."
81 had no such right" cried the al
chemist. That diamond was the
product of my laboring hours.
brought It forth from the air, the sun
shine, the silver water, the milk Of
the moon, as an Aphrodite is fashion
ed Of dew and mist II was not a mere
stone; It had thought and sense and
soul; 1t was a miscrocosm OF the
marvelousi'
Fitch could not hide his astonish-
ment at the learning and poetry the
fearfully asitated old man displayed.
Britt himself. had not his thoughts
been focused vigorously on his pur-
pose, would have stopped to wonder
at them. AS II was he struck the iron
Of the alchemist's remorse at white
heat.
What did the stranger want with
II" demanded the detective.
'T don't know" said Martin. His
voice still trembled, his features
worked, his hands futtered and knot
ted themselvesein the intensity of his
emotion He came to me a stranger;
he went away the same, and with him
went my queen of jewels, my beauti- |
full. beautiful diamond of diamonds! |
But | will find him." he shrieked. |
For centuries have been upon his |
path. He thought all things ended |
between US when he lured me into |
parting with my treasure. He said |
because he had suggested the outline |
and color of the stone he had a right |
to make me give 1t to him for his |
money; but it was IL who thrust |
into the center of the glorious gem the
fire from heaven. penned the sun
bursts in the priceless prism, and it
is mine. II is mine by right of crea-
toni"
This outburst excited the old man,
but in a little while there was an
other outburst of his emotions. He
fairly shouted:
Il will have him, though. l will
come up with him yet, and when do.
| will give him back his money and
make him return the diamond to me.
He thought he left nothing to tell me
who he is. He thought / never would
be able 10 find him In this big town
He felt sure the old curiosity dealer
would not venture far enough away
rom his shop to track such a fine
gentleman. But he forgot one thing.
! have kept It all these years. and
through It viii find him yeti"
Abstractedly he thrust his hand into
IN inner pocket and fished out q BIT
II cardboard Excitedly he waved II
n front OF the detectives eyes. Britt
'esisted for a moment the impulse to