The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1913-04-25
CHAPTER ix.-(Contlnued.)

Billings gulped again Il suppose
not; don't blame you. Way you're
n1ed. you don't have to-" He walked
slowly TO the window and back. Take
my advice, Dicky. and get those fire
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.
cut of the second and fourth. leav-
ing the first ruby at the collar and
the other two alternates.
Go on, said Billings. as l laid down
the knife. You've only removed
two"
Don't believe I'll cut off any more"
] said Want you 10 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 | said.
For. by Jove. you know It was per
fectly clear that If they had been safe
so long under the little covers, the
jewels couldn't find any better place
Singular thing Billings couldn't see It.
Besides, the pajamas had to have fast
enings, you know.
! held one OF the two rubies under
the light. and, by J3ve, almost drop
ped it-did drop my glass. Seeing a
Inf In fin
would give you the same turn.
"Rippers, Billings! Simply rippers,"
exclaimed.
held the other ruby beside its fel.
low. Then | waited, listening, and l
heard 9tllirgs' hand strike down on
the back cI a chair.
Il guess I'll be going, old chap" he
said Sruily. Think I'd better, after
all" He cleared his throat Sure
ycu can't sell me one, Dicky?" Dashed
4 his voiee didn't tremble.
Quite sure, dear boy" / murmured.
without turning around. Not mine,
you know-these two.
Billings exploded then 1t seemed
an opportunity 20 relieve himself
Not yours! Why. you dodgasted idiot.
you nincompoop, you cuckoo, you
chicken head! What notion have you
got In that fools noddle now: II those
rubies are not yours, whose do you
think they are?"
whirled about quickly. Yours"
said, and laid them in his hand.
My compliments. old chap" add
ed, smiling BY Jove! One time, at
least. put It all over old Billings!
Mo-" he gasped, crouching over
and gripping my shoulder.
| grinned cheerfuily.
He fell into a chair and Just sat
there mouthing at me and then at the |
Jewels In his hand. Old boy looked |
devilish silly. Really acted like he |
had some sort Of stroke-that sort of
thing.
laughed at him.
Don't you see?" l said, trying to
explain. Wouldn't have known a
dashed thing about the buttons be-
ing rubies but for you SO lucky they
came to me so l can get a chance to
help out your collection. Awfully glad,
old chap"
He clenched the Jewels. and looked
down
"Dicky-- He coughed a little hus.
kily as he paused. "Dicky" His voice
was SO low I could hardly hear him.
"Dicky, you're OF your trolley, and
I'm a damned"
He rais4d his arm and dropped II.
well. never mind what" he I'm.
,ished with lift of the shoulders,
But I want to say something. IT'S
about what ! offered you for those
,stones. The price-the amount
,named-wasnt even a decent gamble.
but 1t was all could CO. and oh |
wanted one so badly, Dicky! And
now you've made me feel like a dog
Ana can't take your GIFT. old chan.
any more than c ,uld afford TO Offer
you the real value of one Of these
beautiful STONES. Here" And he
passed them hack to me.
Il know ssch of them to be wor>,
snywhaee from forty 70 fl7ty thousaro
,1onara-" ne aAaA suaAa1y. 'srhay'y. ~