Rocky Ford enterprise., 1912-06-28
CHAPTER Ix.-(contInued.)

not; don't blame you. way you're
nxed, you don't have to-" He walked
slowly to the window and back. Take
my advice, Dioky, and get those IRE
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.
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 az said.
For. by Jove. you know It was per-
fectly clear that II they had been safe
80 long under the little covers. the
Jewels couldn't f1nd any better place.
Singular thing Billings couldn't see it.
Besides, the pajamas had to have fast
snings. you know.
I held one of the two rubies under
the light. and. by Jove. I almost drop
ped ibid drop my glass. Seeing
red-hot poker-point in your fingers
would give you the same turn.
"Rippers. Billings! Simply rippersI"
exclaimed.
held the other ruby beside its fell
low. Then waited, listening. and
heard Billings hand strike down on
the back of chair.
II guess I'll be going. old chap" he
said grufiy. Think I'd better. after
all" He cleared his throat. Sure
you can't sell ne one. Dickyf" Dashed
Il his voice didn't tremble.
Quite sure. dear boy" murmured.
without turning around. mot mine.
Iou know-these two"
Billings exploded then. It seemed
an opportunity to relieve himself.
mot yours! Why. you dodgasted idiot.
you nincompoop. you cuckoo. you
chicken headi 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
Cd, smiling. By. Jovei One time. at
hast, 1 put It all over old Billings!
mol" he gasped. orouching 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
had some sort of stroke-that sort of
thing
/ laughed at him.
Don't you seer" 1 said. trying to
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 little hus-
hly as he paused. "Dicky." His voice
was SO low could hardly hear him
"Dicky. you're of your trolley, and
I'm a damned"
He raised his arm and dropped it
well, never mind what" he fin-
ished with a lift of the shoulders.
"But l want to say something. It's
about what I offered you for those
tones The price-the amount
even a decent gamble;
but 1t was all l could go, and oh, 1
wanted one so badly, Dickyl And
now you've made me feel like a dog.
And 1 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.
81 know each of them to be worth
anywhere from forty to fifty thousand
dollars" he said quietly. They're the