The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-04-30


IL not a diamond at all; it is paste-a
paste fac-simile of which this is the
original The directors OF the Louvre.
needing money, sold the original to the
empress Of Russia, who had a craze
for precious stones and who at her
death left this remarkable collection to
her favorite son, who had inherited her
passion And now" he added. with a
gesture toward the giittering heaps.
"what shall we do with all this?'
There's only one thing to do" said
Grady, awaking suddenly as from a
trance. land that's to get them in q
safe deposit box as quick as possible.
There's no police safe I'd trust with
Fem"
"Can we nnd a box Of safe deposit
at this hour OF the nightr' asked N.
Pigot. glanc1ng at his watch. 1T Is
almost O'Clock and half
That's easy in New York." said Ora
| dy. "We'Il take 'em over 30 the Day
and Night bank on Fifth avenue. Il
never closes. Wait till / get something
| TO put 'em in"
He went out and came back present
| " with a small valise.
Il 44kS WILL W. AG B440s GoSCW CA4
away, and I'll call up the bank and
| am nge for the box"
Sin monds and Pigot rolled up the
| packets carefully and placed them in
the valise. while sat watching them
in a kind of daze. And understood
the temptation which would assail q
man I'm the presence OF SO much beauty
and value.
There they are" said Simmonds and
closed the bag with a snap as Grady
came I'm again.
Tive arranged for the box" said
Grady. "and one OF our wagons is at
the door. Simmonds, you go along
with Moosseer Pfggott and put an ex-
ira man on the seat with the driver.
Maybe that Crechard might try to hold
you up"
The same thought was in my own
OF M. Pigot's arrival. So I was re-
lieved that Grady was wise enough to
take no risk.
You'd better get a receipt" Grady
went on, land arrange that the valise
Is to be delivered only when you and
Moosseer Piggott appear together.
That will be satisfactory. moosseer"
he added, turning to the Frenchman.
Entirely so, sir. An revoir. mon
sieur," and with a bow to me he fol
lowed HfGmonds into the outer room.
Grady sat- down anil got out fresh
cigar.
well, Mr.. Lester" he said as he
struck a match. what do you think
Of these Frenchmen, anyway
They're marvellous" said "Even
yet 1 can't understand how he knew
so much. For instance, how did he
know about those lettesST'
Fact is," broke in Grady, that's the
first I'd heard Of 'em. What is that
story"
told him,the story briefly. carefully
suppressing everything which would
give him a cleSv to the identity of the
yelled lady.
There were certain Details" add
ed, which supposedfwere known to
no one except myself and two other
persons, and yet NJ. Pigot knew them.
Then, again, how did he know SO GER
tainly just how the mechanism work
ed? It seemed to me that he handled
that mechanism as though he was ia
miliar with 1t. OF course, he may have
prepared himself by studying the draw
ings which no doubt accompany the Sc
cret memoir. He may even have had a
working model made. He Is an extraor-
binary man"
"And a great actor GRADY supple
mented. 'Hello! Who's thatT
The front door had been flung open.
There wis an instant's colloquy with
the desk sergeant, then a rapid step
crossed the. outer room, and Godfrey
burst in upon us.
He cast a rapid glance at the Boule
cabinet, at the secret draweg standing
open, empty, and then his eyes rested
upon Grady.
$50 he got away with it, did hep he
inquired.
"Who do you think you srer shout
ed Grady, his face purple. coming in
here like. this2 Get out or I'll have
you thrown outP'
"Oh, I'll 60" retorted+ Godfrey cool
~. 1--WE seen all care to see. Only
I'll tell you enc thing, Grady-you've
signed your own death warrant to-
nightr' You won't last an hour after
the story Of this nights work gets
outr'
Grady's color slowly faded as he
met the burning and contemptuous
gaze Godfrey turned upon him. As
for me- an awful fear had gripped my
heart.
do you mean 10 say it wasn't Pig
gotr' stammered Grady, at last
Godfrey laughed scornfully.
mo. you blithering idiot" he said.
at wasn't Pigot It was Crochard
himselfr'
And he stalked out. siamming the
door behind him.
Almost before the echo Of that slam
ming door had died away Grady was
beside the sergeant's desk.
sect out the reserves" he ordered.
'.and have the other wagon around.