Gilpin observer., 1912-07-04
CHAPTER lx-(contlnusd.)

not; don't blame you. Way you're
hxed. you don't have to-" He walked
slowly to tho window and back. Take
my advice. Dcky. and get those nre
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 was cutting away the
tough threads that held the rubies.
out OF the second and fourth. leav-
ing tho first ruby at tho 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 Oh any more. .
I said. Want you to help me tie up
the others Just as they were"
What"
l insisted. And though Billings pro
tested and argued and even called me
names, we did ~ l said.
For, by Jove, you know It was per
fectly clear that II they had been safe
20 long under the little covers. the
Jewels couldn't fnd any better place.
Singular thing Billings couldn't see it.
Besides, the pa1amas had to have fast.
enings. you know.
| held one Of the two rubies unde er
the light. and. by Jove. almost drop
ped ibid 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 I
heard Billings hand strike down on
the back OF chair.
II guess I'll be going. old chap" he
said grufly. Think I'd better. after
all" He cleared his throat. Sure
you can't sell me one. DickyT' Dashed
n his voice didn't tremble.
Quite sure, dear boy" murmured.
without turning around. mot 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
eot 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
ID, smiling. By Jove! One time. at
lsast, I put It all over old Billings!
moi" he gasped. crouching over
grinned cheerfully.
He fell into chair and Just sat
there mouthing at me and then at the
Jewels in his hand. Old hoy looked
dsvilish silly. Really acted like he
had some sort of stroke-that sort OF
thing.
laughed at him.
Don't you see?" l 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 ooushed little hus-
kily as he paused. "Dicky." His voice
was 30 low I could hardly hear him.
"Dicky. you're OF your trolley. and
I'm a damned"
He raised his arm and dropped 1t.
well, never mind what" he nm
ished with n lift Of the shoulders.
But want to say something. It's
about what I offered you for those
stones. The price-the amount
named-wasn't even q decent gamble:
but It was all I could go, and oh,
wanted one so badly, Dicky! And
now you've made me feel like a dog.
And I 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.
"I know each Of them to bs worth
anywhere from forty to nfty thousand
~ -.gA c,,NAAl~ seWh A. =