The Washburn leader., 1913-10-31
By MlLLARD MALTBlE

examine lC anu IOunu IL exactly ike
the uncut stones had dug up for the
diamond company. only had never
seen one half the size. was good
deal upset. for If the thing was a dia-
mond was rich.
But. as l have said, it was the get
ting away with 1t that I'm going to tell
about. 1t was diamond. sure enough,
and one of the big ones Of the world.
While was looking at it Jim Stivers
came up, and was fool enough to let
him see 1t. He knew right of that it
was worth the biggest part Of mil
lion dollars. and stone like that Is
great temptation for any one. He
congratulated me on my find and be-
gan at once to plot to get 1t from me.
Jim had more sense than l In this.
He didn't tell any one about my hav-
ing 1t except three men whom he used
to get it away from me. He knew l
would go to Rio with it. and his plan
was to have me waylaid and the stone
captured.
OF course didn't know just what
he would do. but did know that once
got out of the region of law and Or
der-in other words. off by myself
somebody would try for my property.
concluded to endeavor to fool who
ever suspected had it. with me by
playing a part. The plan adopted
was this: found a countryman who
was going down with a load of wood
and told him would go with him. He
said he was agreeable. and slept the
night before we started near his
wagon. which was already loaded.
During the night ! took one of the
logs-one that would recognize easily
and. boring big hole in it under a
piece of loose bark. put my diamond in
It. Then. plugging up the hofe. 4 let
down the bark. first putting little
glue between 1t and the wood to hold
It in place. Then threw the log back
on to the load.
We started early In the morning. and
I. not wishing to be identified with the
woodman. at times kept In his rear
and at times in advance of him. Al
though hadn't told any one was
going on the trip. found the road
picketed. passed man who looked
at me searchingly. and 1t wasn't long
before. hearing footsteps behind me. I
turned and saw him coming with two
others. They caught up with me. and
one Of them. who knew, me by sight.
said. That's the man" and. address
ing me. added:
"Young Teller. the diamond company
has missed a valuable uncut stone
and. having been informed that it is in
your possession. has sent us to de-
mand 1t Of you. Please hand It out"
II haven't any diamond l replied.
I'm as poor as poverty and don't know
where ! shall get a bite to eat"
= They didn't waste any words. but
two Of. them held me while; the third
went through my pockets. my hair.
my beard-indeed. every part Of me.
Then he took of my clothes. leaving
me stark naked, and examined every
seam. every inch Of cloth. even hold
ing them up and looking through them
to the light.
Il reckon he has either sent It on
ahead or left 1t behind to come later"
said the man who had done the search
ing. All would have gone well had
not the woodcutter's wagon come
numbering down the road and be had
to ask me in q familiar way what my
appear ring in my birthday clothes
meant. The men pricked up their ears;
at this and asked him II he knew me.
I and he told them that we were fellow
travellers.
( He got thorough searching for his
pains. the men thinking that he was
carrying the gem for me. Then they
examined the horses. the harness. the
wagon. looking even into the hubs Of
the wheels. One Of them suggested
that what they were looking for might
be between the logs Of wood. and
they threw every log OF ON to the road.
carefully watching for the diamond
between them. n
But 1t was Of no use. The stone was
mot to be found. a
They didn't like to give It up: but.
lU0tSSvAu8 III SO0S = u0u 7SVuvSyeNySs Tue
treasure BY some other method. they
finally concluded TO- doSso. They had
instructions from Stiyers not to hurt
me. Il they cOlfd get the diamond
they were to- do 10. but they were not
TO commit murder or make i case
AGAINST those Implicated n the At
tempted robbery =, waAs allowed
10. prucsed. 5sss sSs syt
S'heil We rene cied Rio took the log
m which had hidden the diamond on
the load. paid the wood Tor Il and.
..pntting q On iny 3siionl ldef. went away
With DC.
ls.aiitd Tor Amxferdan that ! might
s,es.l my stone tait. /. ana when it WAs u;
sl,ls,iaa .Ondit tion sold 4 ~ 1fs0 90 ..
a, IapovIssdis q 4 m .,s.e . N