United labor bulletin., 1914-02-21

| from being dazzled by a bewildering
display of precious stones. the sparkle
| OF diamond here would have been SO
conspicuous as to be startling.
TO his unobservant eye there was
nothing to indicate what manner of
! business might be carried on here.
Brownlow's private room was even
dingier and more uninyiting than the
outer ofiice-for all the world like the
husk of n frost-bitten nut of which
Brownlow was the wrinkled kernel
But could Tom have been present
while the importer was entertaining a
prospective customer. he would have
obtained an insight into Brownlow's
methods. In front OF the only window
that was scrupulously clean stood a
wide table. Across the polished top
two comfortable leathern chairs faced
each other. Two or three dark pur-
pie velvet pads and a couple OF jewel
er's lenses lay here and there upon
the top itself Al these two places the
importer and the customer would have
been sitting tete-a-tete. the latter bark
ening while the former discoursed at
length upon any subject save the one
that had brought them together. until
one of the bent figures In the outer Of
fee returned from Brownlow's safe-de-
posit box In a nearby bank. bearing
beneath his arm a small leather case.
After this had been deposited at
Brownlow's elbow and the bent figure
had retired TO re-attach himself TO his
own particular ponderous ledger. the
case would have been opened and its
I y
the velvet pads Then the little mans
garrulity would have ceased. and he
would have uncovered n minute knowl-
edge OF gems and values against which
the sharpest barEainer knew that II
was useless TO contend. unnumbered
millions OF dollars worth OF precious
stones had passed through his claw
like fingers. each adding It's quota to
his wealth: aud thus II Was that he
could indulge in a luxury like the
/ Kohinur
The importer was alone. however.
when Tom entered lie rose nimhly
from his dcsk and greeted his caller
/ with an efTusiveness that let the La.
ter touEue-tied.
My dear Mr. Phiuneyt~ cried the
| little man. beaming. the while he Wig
orously pumped Toms unres sponsive
right hand. My dear Mr.. Phinneyl
Almost literally you have arrived at
the eleventh hour. II is impossible for
me to express my qualification at see
ing you. SO you didn't forget the re-
quest | made 80 bold as to profrer at
Mrs. Payne French's," He stopped
with surprising abruptness. then went
on f. n tone expressive OF consterna.
tion: Don't say that you have
failedl Don't tell me you have come
here only TO bring disappointment! 1t
would be cruel act of kindness on
your part but Ahem! Sit
down."
Tom dropped into the chair which
the other thrust at him as II he meant
to knock his legs from under him.
Pray don't give me any such m.
tidings. Mr.. Phinney. for this is my
last day OF grace; II don't get a
skipper and mates for the Kohinur by
six thie evening. | stand to iose"-he
raised his hands in a despairing ges-
| ture-"l cant bear to hear myself say
I'll / can't bear TO think OF how much
! shall lose-more than any man can
afiord-good. honest money. Just wait.
! ing TO be picked up"
THIS was all more or less unintel-
ligible to Tom: but he had succeeded
in pulling himself together. and as
soon as he could wedge in a word he
tried to Impress upon the excitable
merchant that he was Offering himself
for the opening. When at last Brown
low comprehended. he suddenly
checked himself and stared at Tom in
silent surprise: but in moment he
drew long face. which put the finish.
ing touch TO his callers discourage
ment.
You're not I'm earnest" BrownIow
voiced his misgivings. solemnly wag.
cling his head. but nevertheless main.
tanning an Interested scrutiny upon
the young man. why. should you be
looking for such bilietg''
"Because | want tho money" was
the blunt response. And take my
word for II. MIR. Brownlow. I'm in
earnest II you doubt my qualinca-
tions---"
Tho other raised silencing hand
II konw all about them" said he.
crisply, else | shouldn't have
broached the matter to you in the rrst
place. | supposed your interest and
activity in yachts and yachting would
enable you to put me in the way OF
finding what ! wanted: didn't expect
that you uld-er-nheml-"
Tom took the words out OF his
mouth.
Strike you for tho job myself. chs
Well. have"
Brownlow seated himself ut his
desk. upon which he thoughtfuiiy
drummed with his fingers. every now
and then directing n sharp glance ut
hts ~al1ar usox,, ~, 81 nj a., raal