Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1914-06-20

every private craft that acknowledged
New York as It's home port-and far
from being dazzled by bewildering
display OF precious stones, the sparkle
of diamond here would have been SO
conspicuous as to be startling.
To his unobseryant eye there was
nothing to indicate what manner of
business might be carried on here.
Brownlow's private room was even
dugier and more uninyiting than the
outer office-for all the world like the
husk of a frost bitten nut OF which
BTownlow 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 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. unuil
| one of the bent figures in the outer OF
| fee returned from Brownlow's safe-de-
/ post 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
| glttering contents poured out upon
| the velvet pads Then the little mans
/ garrulity would have ceased, and he
/ would have uncovered minute knowl-
edge of gems and values against which
/ the sharpest bargainer 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; and thus it was that he
could indulge in luxury like the
Kohinur.
The importer was alone, however.
when Tom entered. He rose nimbly
from his desk and greeted his caller
with an effuslveness that left the lat
ter tOngue-tled
MY dear Mr.. Phinncy!" cried the
little man, beaming. the while he Wig
orously pumped Toms unresponsive
right hand. my dear Mr.. Phinneyl
Almost literally you have arrived at
the eleventh hour It 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 proffer at
| Mrs Payne-French's!" He stopped
with surprising abruptness, then went
on in tone expressive OF consterna-
| ton: Don't say that you have
failedi 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 If 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; If l don't get a
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
| Il! / can't bear TO think of how much
l shall lose--more than any man can
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 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 IN earnest" Brownlow
voiced his misgivings. solemnly wag.
ging his head, but nevertheless main.
tanning an interested scrutiny upon
the Young man why. should you be
looking for such a blnet?"
Because I want tho money" was
the blunt response. And take my
word for it. Air. Bvowulow. I'm in
earnest II you doubt my quanhca-
tons -"
The other raised a silencing hand
y konw all about them" said he
crisply. else shouldn't have
preached the matter to you in the first
place. supposed your interest and
activity in yachts and yachting would
enable you TO put me in the way OF
hndiGs what ! wanted; | didn't expect
thar you would-er-ahemt -"
rom took the words out OF his
mouth.
"Seike you for the Job myself Ell
Wei. l have"
Brownlow seated himself at his