Dewey County advocate. [volume] (Timber Lake, S.D.) 1910-1913, 1913-01-17
CHAPTER lx.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER lX.-(Continued.)
Billings gulped again. Il suppose
not: don't blame you. Way you're
Axed. 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 of! That's WISE"
For with the knife he had left on
the table l was cutting away the
tough threads that held the rubies.
cct or the second and fourth, leav-
fng the first ruby at the collar and
the other two alternates.
Go on" said Billings, as l laid down
they knife. you've only removed
two"
Don't believe I'll cut of any more.
I said. want you to help me tie up
/. the others just as they WERE"
Z What"
[ insisted. And though Billings pro
tested and argued and even called me
names, we did as l said. IS
For, by Jove, you know 1t was per.
y
70 long under the little covers, the
Jewels couldn't find any better place.
Singular thing Billings couldn't see 1t.
Besides, the pajamas had to have fast
.enings. you know.
1 held one OF the two rubies under
the light, and, byfJove, almost drop
ped ibid drop my glass. Seeing q
red-hot poker-point In your fingers
would give you The same turn.
~Rippers, Billings! Simply rippersi"
I exclaimed.
Eheld the other ruby beside its fell
SOW. Then 1 waited, listening, and I
heard HilliEBs' hand strike down on
tho back c1 chair.
4 Il guess I'll be going, old chap" he
.aaid grufly. Think I'd better. after
all" He cleared his throat. Sure
you can't sell me one, Dicky?" Dashed
r. his vOIce didn't tremble.
Quite sure, dear boy" murmured,
sWfthous turning around. mot mine,
you know-these two.
Billings exploded then. 1t seemed
an opportunity to relieve himself.
Not yours! Why. you dodgasted idiot,
you nincompoop, you cuckoo, you
chicken head! What notion have you
got In that FOOLS noddle p0w: 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 1t all over old Billings!
mol" he gasped. crouching over
and gripping my shoulder.
grinned cheerfully.
He fell into a chair and just sat
there mounting at me and then at the
Jewels in his hand. Old boy looked
.devflish silly. Really acted like he
had some sort Of stroke-that sort OF
thing.
laughed at him.
Don't you see?" I said, trying to
explain. Wouldn't have known d
dashed thing about the buttons be-
ing rubies but for you. So lucky they
came to me SO l can get chance to
0GAR Out yOuI COlACCIAOA. AW1uhy 6iS0
old chap"
He clenched the Jewels, and looked
down.
~Dicky-" He coughed a little hus'
IDLY A. he paused. "Dicky." His voice
:ves so low I could hardly hear him.
.~Dicky, you're of your trolley. and
I'm a damned"
He raised his arm and dropped 1t.
We'll. never mind what" he I'm
fshed With a lift of the shoulders.
Put I want to say something. It's
shout what l offered you for those
stones. The price-the amount
named-wasn't even decent gamble;
but tt was all could go, and oh,
wanted one SO badly, Dicky! And
now you've made me feel like dog
And I can't take your gift, old chap
any more than 1 could afford to Offer
you the real value Of one of these
Asaut1ful stones. Here" And he
tpassed them back to me.
IT know sxch of them to be worth
.enywhass from forty 70 fifty thousand
,lolIars," he saiA GK4Akiy. 'T'hav're thA