Mexico Missouri message., 1914-04-16

owner-for Tom was familiar with
every private craft that acknowledged
New York as It's home portland far
from being dazzled by a bewildering
display Of precious stones, the sparkle
OF a 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 uninviting than the
outer office-for all the world like the
husk OF a frostbitten 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 q
wide table. Across the polished top
two comfortable leathern chairs faced
each other Two or three dark pur-
pie velvet pads and couple OF jewel
er's lenses lay here and there upon
the top itself. At 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-
| post box in nearby bank, bearing
| beneath his arm a small leather case.
4 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
glitterlng contents poured out upon
the velvet pads. Then the little mans
garrulity would have ceased, and he
would have uncovered a minute knowl-
edge of gems and values against which
the sharpest bargainer knew that 1t
| was useless to contend. Unnumbered
millions of dollars worth of precious
stones had passed through his claw
like fingers. each adding its quota to
could indulge In q luxury like the
Kohinur.
The importer was alone, however.
when Tom entered. He rose nimbly
from his desk and greeted his caller
with an effusiveness that left the lat
ter tongue-tied.
MY dear Mr.. Phinney!" cried the
little man. beaming. the while he Wig.
orously pumped Toms unresponsive
right hand. MY dear Mr.. Phinney!
Almost literally you have arrived at
the eleventh hour. 1t is impossible for
me to express my qualification at see
ing you. So you didn't forget the re.
quest made so bold as to proffer at
Mrs. Payne-French's!" He stopped
with surprising abruptness. then went
on in a tone expressive OF consterna.
ton: Don't say that you have
failed! Don't tell me you have come
here only to bring disappointment! 1t
would be a 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 Ill
tidings, Mr.. Phinney, for this is my
last day OF grace; II don't get q
skipper and mates for the Kohinur by
six this evening. stand to lose"-he
raised his hands in a despairing ges
ture-"I can't bear to hear myself say
it, / can't bear to think OF how much
/ shall lose-more than any man car
afford-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 a
soon as he could wedge in q word HI
tried to impress upon the excitabl'
merchant that he was Offering himsel
for the opening. When at last Brown
low comprehended, he suddenl.
checked himself and stared at Tom II
silent surprise; but In a moment b.
drew long face. which put the finish
!, ing touch to his callers discourage
ment
You're not in earnest" Brownloy
voiced his misgivings, solemnly WAC
y ging his head, but nevertheless malI
tanning an interested scrutiny upo
Z the young man. Why, should you b
d looking for such blllet?"
oCSeAh6O NuJ wa
g the blunt response. And take IN
g word for It, Mr.. BroWnlow, I'm 4
d earnest. II you doubt my qualities
tons"
D The other raised silencing hand.
Is Il konw all about them" said h,
II crisply. else | shouldn't hav
70 preached the matter to you in the frs
D. place ! supposed your interest an
IL activity in yachts and yachting woul
m enable you to put me In the way G
Of finding what l wanted; didn't expec
I'd that you would-er-ahem!-"
10 Tom took the words out OF hi
Il, mouth.
I'd Strike you for the job myself. Ell
n, Well, have"
iy Brownlow seated himself at b
at desk, upon which he thoughtful
druTAnad with his Hnparc M