The Washington times., 1912-08-17
THE TIMES DAILY SERIAL STORY
THE DIAMONDS"
By J. S. FLETCHER
Copyright A.. Munsy co.,
Copyright, 1912. Frank A. Munsey Coz
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By ]. S. FLETCHER

and he was half minded to call for an
other pint, but reflected that he had
work to do and had best keep his head
cool. He might have another pint of
something stronger than ale even, when
he had finished his work; but the work
he had to do must be done before any
Lindsay went out OF, the tavern still
clutching the brass-bound box under his
coat. He was in a low part of the town,
and he went forward plunging still
deeper into obscure hooks and corners.
He wanted to get down to the water
side, somewhere or anywhere, and get
rid of his burden.
1t seemed to him that when he was
once free of that a great weight would
be lifted off his mind. He said to him
self that he must find some quiet cor
ner wherein to prepare the thing-he
must must mawd have stones tones, Therewith to weigh
float away, only to be picked up per-
haps by some suspicious boats crew
on the Hamoaze or handed over to the
Police. He must sink it-deep, deep,
where no eye would see 1t more.
1t was a long time before Lindsay
came to spot sufficiently quiet for his
purpose. but at last he found himself
from observation. He had picked up
two or thi ee stones as he went along,
and these he packed into the box when
he had drawn 1t from his coat. In doing
so his fingers touched the knife--it was
still wet and sticky. and he shivered at
the feel of 1t.
He closed the box hurriedly, and
wound 1t about with piece of strong
twine, which he produced from his pock-
ct. Then he replaced the box beneath
his coat, mad went forward again, al
ways choosing the quietest ways. AS
the night wore toward midnight the
folk In the streets grew less and less
IN numbers, and at last Lindsay found
himself crossing alleys and courts
wherein only faint light here and
there showed any sign Of human life.
He was nearing the water now, and as
the first gleam of it caught his eye
through an opening in the houses, he
turned and looked behind as though he
feared that some one had dogged his
footsteps.
There was patch of faint light here
and there In the streets, lying in tri-
angular wedges beneath the gas lamps,
ana 1t seemed to him once that he saw
the figure of I.al Dass gliding stealthily
from one to the other. He paused and
looked again, and his heart beat fierce
~ against his breast. He strained his
Surely that was a figure stealing after
him. Could 1t be that Lal Dass had
revived and was stalking him to his
death? Those Hindus had marvellous
powers, he had heard folk say, and 1t
might be-but there he cursed himself
for fool, remembering how straight
and, true the knife had gone home, and
now motionless Las Dass had lain
across the table.
At length he reached the place he had
kept In his minds eye ever since he
stepped out of the tavern-a quiet pool
In the angle made by pier which
stretches out into the Hamoaze. There
was no one about. and his preparations
were quickly made. He had left one
end Of the coil of twine loose and he
let it run lightly through his fingers
as the brass-bound box sank into the
black water.
A sudden fear lest the strino should
be too long and remain floating on the
surface seized him. but he breathed a
sigh of relief on seeing the end curl
and twist, and then disappear in the
wake of the box. He stood erect at the
waters side; 1t seemed TO him that now
nothing could touch him. But once more
that terrible thirst was hot and dry in
his throat, and his tongue craved for
drink.
Then he remembered that he had
along. and cursed his fate that 1t was
now too late to obtain more liquor For
that he must wait until morning.
He was now in the neighborhood of
Ford, and he began to wonder how and
where he was to pass the night. Back
to the lodging which had sheltered him
the last few days he dared not go-it
was his only hope now to say farewell
to Plymouth forever. But where Was
he to go?
The precious stones for which he had
played a desperate game were in his
pocket now, and there was no one to
dispute possession of them with him.
But he must turn them into money
Come, he must think these matters
over carefully. He proceeded to think
as he walked slowly forward.
A Continuation Of This story VIII
BE Found In TOmorrOw's
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