The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1912-08-02
CHAPTER tx.-(continued.)

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 ire
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 was cutting away the
tough threads that held the rubies. l
cut of the second and fourth. leav-
ing the first ruby at the collar and
the other two a%lternates.
60 on" said Billings, as l 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 as l said.
For, by Jove, you know it was per-
fectly clear that If they had been safe
20 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.
held one of the two rubies under
the light, and, by Jove, l 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 I waited, listening, and I
heard Billings hand strike down on
the back Of a chair.
Il guess I'll be going. old chap" he
said grufHy. Think I'd better, after
all" He cleared his throat. Sure
you can't sell me one, Dicky" Dashed
II his voice didn't tremble.
Quite sure. dear boy" l murmured.
without turning around. Not mine,
you know-these two"
Billings exploded then. It seemed
an opportunity to relieve himself.
mot yours! Why, you dodgasted idiot,
you nincompoop, o cuckoo, you
chicken head! What notion have you
cot in that fools noddle now? II those
rubies are not yours. whose do you
think they areT"
l whirled about quickly. YOURS"
said, and laid them in his hand.
my compliments, old chap" l add
ID, smiling. BY Jove! One time. al
least, l put 1t all over old Billings!
mol" he gasped. crouching ovel
and gripping my shoulder.
l grinned cheerfully.
He fell into a chair and Just sa'
there mounting at me and then at tn.
Jewels IN his hand. Old boy looked
Aevilish silly. Really acted like b,
had some sort OF stroke-that sort o
thing.
laughed at him.
Don't you see?" l said, trying u
explain. Wouldn't have known
dashed thing about the buttons be
ing rubies but for you. SO lucky the,
came to nj 80 l can get a chance t
help out your collection. Awfully glad
old chap"
He clenched the jewels, and locke
down.
"Dicky-" He coughed a little hui
kily as he paused. "Dicky." His voic
was SO low I could hardly hear hin
"Dicky, you're OF your trolley. an
I'm q damned"
He raised his arm and dropped It
well, never mind what" he Ill
ished with a lift Of the shoulder
But I want to say something. It
about what l offered you for thos
stones. The ~price-the amount
named-wasn't even a decent gamble
but It was all / could go, and oh,
wanted one SO badly, Dicky! An
now you've made me feel like q dol
And ! can't take your gift, old cha
any more than l could afford to offt
you the real value Of one Of thes
beautiful stones. Here" And b
passed them back to me.
Il know each Of them to be wort
anywhere from forty to fifty thousan
AosissS.- be said quietly. They're Il