Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-05-21

"This is the original"
ones to admire them more closely.
Then he unfolded roll after roll, stop
ping from time to time for a look at
the larger brilliants.
"These are from the famous neck
lace which the grand duke inherited
from his grandmother" he said, calling
our attention to a little pile of mar
velous gems in one of the last packets.
Not one Of these brilliants would be
marketable in Europe for many years.
Each of them is a marked gem. Here
in America your police regulations are
not so complete, but I fancy that even
here he would have had difficulty in
marketing this one." And he unfolded
the last packet and held up to the
light a rose diamond which seemed to
me as large us a walnut and aglow
with lovely color.
Perhaps you have stopped to ad-
mire the MaZarin diamond in the gal
lery Of Apollo at the Louvre" said NJ.
Pigot. There is always a crowd
about that case, and a special attend
ant is installed there to guard it. for it
contains articles of great value. But
the Mazarin is not n of them, for it
is not q diamond at all: it is paste-a
paste facsimile 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 sol who had inherited her
passion. And now" he added. with a
gesture toward the glittering heaps.
what shall we do with all this?'
There's only n thing to do" said
Grady. awaking suddenly as from a
trance. land that's to get them in a
safe deposit box as quick as possible.
There's no police safe I'd trust with
EN-"
"Can we find a box Of safe deposit
at this hour of the night?" asked NJ.
Pigot. glancing at his watch. 1T Is
almost 1 o'clock and a half"
That's easy in New York" said Ora
ny. WV i IdAC GILL ofcI W Iuc LAY
and Night bank on Fifth avenue. 1t
never closes. Wait till I get something
to put 'em in"
He went out and came back present
ly with a small valise.
'"This will do" he said. "Stow 'em
away. and I'll call up the bank and
arrange for the box"
Simmonds and Pigot rolled up the
packets carefully and placed them in
the valise. while l sat watching them
in a kind of daZe. And | understood
the temptation which would assail a
man in the presence of so much beauty
and value.
There they are" said Simmonds and
closed the bag with a snap as Grady
came in again.
I've arranged for the box said
Grady. land n Of our wagons is at
the door. Simmonds. you go along
with Moosseer Piggott and put an ex-
ira man on the seat with the driver.
Maybe that Crochard might try to hold
you up"
The same thought was in my own
mind. for Crochard must have learned
Of NJ. Pigot's arrival. So l was re-
lteved 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. Au revoir. mon
sieur." and with a bow to me he fol-
lowed Simmonds into the outer room.
Grady sat down AMI got out a fresh
cigar.
well. Mr.. Lester" he said as he
struck a match. what do you think
of these Frenchmen. anyway"
They're marvellous" I said. Even
yet I can't understand how he knew
so much. For instance. how did he
know about those letters?"
Fact is" broke in Grady. that's the
first I'd heard of 'em. What is that
story"
I told him the story briefly. carefully
suppressing everything which would
give him a clew to the identity of the
yelled lady.