The San Francisco call., 1913-11-08

lowing 10 an error IN making up yesterdays
instaIlment Of this serial portion or IT Is
reprinted today.-Edtor's note.)
Isaacstein was big headed, big
shouldered man. tapering to small
point at his feet He looked absurdly
like a top, and surprise or emotion of
any sort caused him to sway gently
He swayed now. and every clerk
looked up. expecting him to fall bod
lily on the urchin with the refined ut
terance who had dared to penetrate
into the potentate's Office with such
6 request.
Kimberley. Amsterdam and London
combined 10 lend effect to Isaacstein's s
wit when he said:
rs this a joker
All the clerks guffawed in chorus
Fortunately, Isaacstein was in a good
humor. He had just purchased a pearl
for 1850 which he would sell to Lady
Somebody for $500 10 match another
in an earring.
1T appears to be" said Philip,
when the merriment had subsided.
For some reason the boys grave,
earnest eyes conquered the big little
mans amused scrutiny.
Now. boy. be quick. What is it?''
he said. testify. and every clerk bent
to his task
Il have told you, sir I wish to
have a few minutes conversation
with you with regard TO business of
an important nature"
You say Mr.. Wilson sent you-Mr.
Wilson of Grant & Sons?"
Yes. sir"
Isaacstein yielded to amazed Curl
osity
step in here he said, and led the
way to his private office. surprising
himself as well as his assistants by
this concession.
Philip closed the door and Isaac
stein turned sharply at the sound. but
the boy gave him no time TO frame
q question.
u want you to buy this" he said.
handing over the diamond.
CROSS FIRE
Isaacstein took ii. and gave it one
critical glance He began TO wabble
again.
DO you mean to say Mr. Wilson
sent you to dispose of this stone to
me?" he demanded
Not exactly, sir. I showed it to
him and he recommended me TO
come TO you
"Ah. I see. Sit down, there" in
dicating chair near the door. The
diamond merchant himself sat at his
desk, but they were both in full view
OF each other.
where did you get it?" he asked.
81 found it
quite so. But where?"
AT this moment 1 do not wish to
go into details. but it is mine, mine
only, and am quite willing that you
should make every inquiry to satisfy
=
suppose that is what you fear?"
Sheer wonder kept the Jew silent
for a space.
DO you know it's value?" he said,
with a sudden snap.
Mr.. Wilson told me ii was worth
several hundreds of pounds"
did he, realIy?"
Eyes. He said you would treat me
quite fairly, so I wish you to advance
me a few pounds until you have de-
cided upon its real price. You see
am very poor, and my present ap-
pearance creates an unfayora BILE i'm
preston. Still, am telling you the
absolute truth, and I show my conf
dence in you and in my own case
by Offering to leave the diamond
with you on your receipt. together
with a small sum OF money"
Philip thought he was getting or
very well. Isaacsteins large eyes
bulged at him, and speech came but
slowly. He leaned forward and rum
mayed among some papers. Then hs
opened drawer and produced a mag.
nifying glass, with which he focused
the diamond.
ssYes. it's worth 500 or 700 pounds
he announced, but it will be some
time before I can speak accurate
as 10 its value. I think ii may b.
nawless, but that can only be de.
termined when il is cut"
Philips heart throbbed when h.
heard the estimate. fr
Then / can have few pounds
he commenced.
~Steady. You are not in such {
hurry, eh2 You won't tell where yol
got it?'
II may, later, If you continue t.
done already"
Isaacstein moved on his seat Ever
in a chair ne wanted to wabble. Their
was slight pause.
sHave you any more like thi
stone2 1 suppose not, chr
"yes, j have~ many more"
"Eh? What? Boy, do you know
what you are saying?"
mo doubt you are surprised, sir, bu
not more than 7 am myself. Yet it i
true. / have some--as big again.
Philip, in his eagerness. nearly for
got his resolution to advance slowly
How the diamond merchant woul
shake If only he could see some O
the white pebbles in the meteor.
LAS big againl Where are they?
The chair was creaking now wit
the rhythmic swaying of its occupan
"Where this one came from, NJ
Isaacstein."
Philip smiled. Sasf5ez could not te
how it happened hzfz he felt that h
was the intellectual superior of tn