The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1912-09-28
The Diamonds
ByJ. S. Fletcher
Sr Romance OF a Hoard OF Missing JeUeis
Wv and the Mystery Which FoliolUed Them

Down there with YOU quick--hsre's
Davidson and whole gang Of 'euAr
hide down there TIL can set -
away they'll not examine that hole"
Mr. Ciaye. who had advanced half
way up the steps OF tho noxious dun
geon. reiterated hastily, and before he
could say word the heavy nagstone
fell across the cavity and he found
himself Ia darkness.
lie heard footsteps above him-Nr.
Kiiners footsteps-and they seemed
long long way or. Then came silence.
lie was alone with tho body OF his W.
tim.
Mr.. kilner went slowly back 10 he
shop, unlocked the street door and went
behind the bar and mixed himself
surf glass OF brandy -and-water. lie had
carried out his plan. and the diamonds
would now be wholly his when the
man who carrl-l them had at last disi
OF starvation.
1t IL needless to say that Mr.. kilner
passed q very bad night.
when he rose at All early hour M.
Kilner was a good deal OF a wreck. He
wandered miserably downstairs. AMI
after q time admitted the old woman
who came every morning to light his
nre. make his bed and tidy up the room
In which he lived. lie told her and his
barkeepcr. Iiennessy. that he was soon
to sell the saloon and leave ireland.
During the next fortnight Mr.. kilnsr
made "a change In his mode OF life. AZ
ter closing hours every evening. Instead
OF remaining alone IN the house he
locked IL up and spent the night NJ a
small hotel a little distance away.
lie pulled himself together at last
and SGT 70 work upon tho task before
him. Horrors or double horrors. he ususf
hsv. the diamonds for which he had
bartcred his soul
when he went 10 the little hotel that
evening Mr.. Kiiner carried the diamonds
with him in his bag. Next day he ieft
Dublin.
From place to place he wandered.
drinking heavily. over haunted by dreAf.
At length he rented cottage In Vale.
and settled there. under the name OF
K.cne.
There was one person. however. wAo
during the nrst two years Of Mr..
keene's residence In this secluded spot
knew good deal about his money
matters.
The mnager Of the local bank IN
two years could have told you that
OF his own knowledge Mr.. Kesne hqH
over twenty thousand pounds invested
In nr-t-class railway stock: that he
had ut that moment sum OF about
three thousand pounds lying to the
credit OF his account at the bank. and
that cash payments alluded to above
were still coming steadily In.
II was about this time that Mr..
Keene was recognized by an old &C
quaintance. The old acquaintance
could not by any stretch Of imsgina-
tlon be called AN old friend. In sober
truth he was member OF the police
force.
NJ that time the old acquaintance
Was II detective holding high rank IN
the Leeds police: he was now enjoying
II position OF higher rank In Liverpool.
The two men met in the High street
OF Denhigh one afternoon when M
keene was walking Though IL in Ill
the dignity OF black broadcloth.
lie looked very solemn and very
stately. and Inspector Nicholson. VIII
was talking to tradesman In ,
friendly fashion at the door OF the lat
ter's shop, was considerably startled.
why. joe" said he. whatever
brings you here, aud In sober black?
Nave YOU turned parson since you left
the oyster trader"
Mr.. keene drew himself up In indig-
nant establishment His broad face
purpled with annoyance. his voice had
IiSnttouh
You are making some mistake. str"
said he. cycling the stranger over ~ if
he did not know him from Adam. -
strange mistake. indeed sir"
Inspector Nicholson could have Bit
ten his tongue out. lie knew that ne
had made "A mistake. though u was not
the mistake the man was accusing him
OF. lie could have Lickcd himself for
his hasty impulse.
Il beg your pardon most humbiy.
sir" he said
The tradesman to whom the magis-
trate had been talking laughed as the
latter reJoned him.
That's Mr. Keene," said he Fancy
hailing him az joe"
Decent old chap" he concluded.
bit pompous ana so on, but very quiet
hammered, and leads a peaceful life
And he's got-oh. piles OF money"
Inspector Nicholson said nothing. but
he took occasion to Vistt the local police
station. and there he saw the chief. and
he had quiet talk about the incident
Jus. related AMI about the psuedo Mr..
keenc.
II Nicholson had been anything Su,
what he was, Mr., Keene would not have
cared 50 much, bur the mere fact that
he was a detective and uncunmonly well
known In police circles by the skill
which ne had displayed In unravelltng
certain mysteries made Mr.. Eeens a.
frightened as child is OF u wasp
But Nicholson had already left town
and was busy elsewhere making certain
Inquiries, Among other persons he has
talk with Davidson and heard Of che
diamond theft,
Ito BE Continued.