The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-11-22
mr.. TAUBERY'S
DIAMOND
"Hi, young fellow! Does Inspector
Peace live here?"

He spoke roughly enough, and I re-
, turned his stare with equal irritation.
When a man may not indulge in day
dreams on his own doorstep the state
of society wants mending. He was a
big bully of fellow, with red face.
a curled, white mustache, and single
ieye-glass, through which he regarded
me with an air Of extreme ill-temper.
'The inspector lodges on the third
floor" told him coldly.
do you live here too?"
had mind not to answer him, but.
after ALL it was not worth while max
ing trouble over an impudent Ques-
ton.
"Yes," I said; 'T rent the ground
floor and the studio behind. My name
is Phillips. I am an artist. For the
past four years have studied abroad.
III you would like to see my birth Ger
,tificate will go and fetch 1t for YOU"
To my surprise, he burst into a
shout of laughter, swaying his body
from side to side. 1t was quite time
before he recovered himself.
Good, lad-good, lad" he chuckled;
"Gad! but deserved it. Allow me to
introduce myself. My name is Gun
ton, sir-Colonel Theophilus Gunton-
and I'm very pleased to meet you."
He held out his hand, which l shook,
without any great degree of enthusi-
asm.
rs this Addington Peace at home,
do you Think" he continued.
II don't know" told him. 81 should
wslk upstairs and find out if l were
you"
There I recognize the practical
head. You know him?"
"Yes."
"Then, we will go together. You
can introduce me-"
was offended at the noise and
'bluster Of the man; but he had
grabbed my arm, and 1 didn't want
scene at my own door. led him uR
the stairs, his voice growing silent as,
his lung capacity weakened. The In
spector's voice cried an invitation to-
my knock, and entered, with the COL
onel putting at my heels like a loco
motive on stiff incline. IS
!: Sorry to disturb you, Peace" l.
said; "but this is a gentleman by the
shame of Gunton, and he appears anx-
ious to make your acquaintance"
The little man rose from his easy.
chair, and stood looking at the stran-
ger with an expression OF great good
humor.
For myself, was about to withdraw
when the colonel's hand dropped heav-
dly upon my shoulder.
Don't you co." he said. "a cosmo-
politan, detective and a man OF the
world, as l am, form a unique combi-
nation. And, by Gadl gentlemen, we
shall want all our brains over this az
sfair."
glanced at Peace, who smiled and
nodded. So stayed.
The colonel kindly consented to
.1take the most comfortable chair.
sighed, stretched out his legs, lit a
cheroot and then, without further in
production, plunged into his story.
Perhaps you have heard OF Julius
lTaubery? No? Well, it's name as
well known throughout India as the
'viceroy's. He is the head of one OF
the richest firms In Calcutta. Went
out there as young man, worked
well, married well, and ended well in
all things, save his constitution, with
which he played the very devil. In
1900 he returned and took fine Lon
don house in Portland place, together
with an old hall down In Devonshire.
A month ago the doctors ordered him
out of England for life. Rough on him.
wasn't 1t, seeing that he had spent
two-thirds Of his time out OF 1t al
ready? But the south of France is his
only chance, they tell him; so, like a
wise man, he Is selling off his sticks,
and settling down at Mentone, with
out squealing to- show how much 1t
hurts him.
Julius and hts wife-she's one OF
the kindest-hearted women-have
been giving some farewell parties to
their old friends. They had a lunch
today, one-thirty sharp, and a lot OF
people turned up. After the ladies
had left us. the talk, as luck would
have It, fell on precious stones; and
julius Taubery Is a crank on them II
there ever was one. His wife wears
the finest jewels in London, and the
old man is supposed to have many
thousand pounds worth more locked
away, which he won't trust even her
with the handling.
Gentlemen says he, 7 will show
you, something that may interest you.
1T is a new purchase of mine, and It
happens to be a remarkable stone!'
HE pulled a green case from an in
side pocket, tipped 1t open, and there
the thing was as big as a walnut The
lights were on. It being dull weather.
and the stone blinked and sparkled
like the sun on dancing water.A =, :
my word, julius / said. But
that's risky bit Of stun to carry
about with YOU
Its going to the bank this after
pnon.' he answered. 80 II you want