The Holly chieftain., 1914-02-27
Mr.. TAUBERYS
DIAMOND

He spoke roughly enough, and re-
turned his stare with equal irritation.
When a man may not indulge in day
dreams on his own doorstep the state
of society wants mending. He was a
big bully Of fellow. with a red face,
Cured. white mustache, and single
eyegIass. through which ne regarded
me with an air of extreme ill-temper.
The inspector lodges on the third
floor. told him coldly.
DO you live here too?"
! had mind not to answer him, but.
after all, it was not worth while max
ing trouble over an impudent ques-
ton
Yes" | said Il rent the grOuno
floor and the studio behind. My name
is Phillips. | am an artist. For the
past four years | have studied abroad.
If you would like to see my birth GER
tifCate | will go and fetch 1t for you"
To my surprise, he burst into a
shout Of laughter. swaying his body
from side to side. 1t was quite time
before he recovered himself
Good, iad-good lad" he chuckled;
Cad, but | deserved it. Allow me to
introduce myself. My name is Gun
ton. sit-COlonel TheOphilus Gunton-
and I'm very pleased to meet you"
He held out his hand, which | shook.
without any great degree Of enthusi-
asm.
is this Addington Peace at home,
do you Think" he continued.
81 don't know" | told him. 81 should
walk upstairs and find out If l were
you"
There l recognize the practical
head. You know him."
Yes"
Then, We Will go together. You
can introduce me-"
| was offended at the noise and
buster of the man; but he had
grabbed my arm, and | didn't want
scene at my own door | led him up
the stairs, his voice growing silent as
his lung capacity weakened The in
speCtOr's voice cried an invitation to
my knock, and entered. with the col.
onel putting at my heels like loco
motive on a stiff incline.
Sorry to disturb you, Peace" |
said; but this Is a gentleman by the
name of Gunton, and he appears anx-
ious to make your acquaintance"
The little man rose from his easy
chair, and stood looking at the stran-
ger with an expression of great good
humOT
For myself, was about to withdraw
when the colonel's hand dropped heav-
fly upon my shoulder.
Don't you 60" he said. "A cosmo-
politan, detective and man OF the
world, as am. form a unique combl,
nation. And. by Cad! gentlemen, we
shall want all our brains over this af
fair"
| glanced at Peace. who smiled and
nodded. So stayed.
The colonel kindly consented to
take the most comfortable chair,
sighed stretched out his legs, lit a
CherOOt and then. without further in
PRODUCTION, plunged into his story.
Perhaps you have heard OF julius
Tauhery? No? Well. it's a name as
well known throughout India as the
vtceroy's. He IS the head of one of
the richest firms IN Calcutta. Went
out there as young man, worked
well. married well. and ended we'll in
all things, save his constitution. with
which he played tae ve-y devil. In
900 he returned and took a fine Lon.
don house in Portland place. togethe.
with an old hall down in Devonshire.
a month ago the doctors ordered him
out of England for life. Rough on him
wasn't II, seeing that he had spent
twothirds of his time out of It al
ready? But the south OF France is his
only chance. they ,ell nim SO. like a
wise man, he is selling OFF his sticks.
and settling down at Mentone, with
out squeaiing to show how much it
hurts him.
Julius and his wiTe-shes one or
the kindest-hearted women-have
been giving some farewell parties to
their old friends. They had lunch
today, one-thIrty sharp. and a lot OF
people turned up. After the ladies'
had left us, the talk, as luck would
have 1t, fell on precious stones. and
Julius Taubery Is crank on them II
there ever was one. His wife wears
the finest jewels in London, and the
old man is supposed to have many
thousand pounds worth more locked
away. which he won't trust even her
with the handling.
Gentlemen says he, I Will show
Won something that NAV interest vnm