The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1914-11-21
my desires and Intentions: he seemed
to divine and anticipate my every

my desires and Intentions: he seemed
to divine and anticipate my every
move.
but was soon reconciled to the
stones loss. and ! would have re-
manned so had 1t not been for that
creature, Burke. When he put the
idea Into my mind that perhaps Page
had no legal title to 1t. was tempted
and I fell. He presented to me too
me to let It pas.
1T was q foolish thing for mo to
do. going to his house that fatal
Tuesday night; but there was nc
other way. Burke was willing TO
procure tho stone from Its hiding
place. but hatly refused to assume
the risk Of conveying II through the
streets. Page was to be away from
town that night. SO in an evil mo-
ment I decided to take the chance.
You know what happened. I failed
to get the gem that night: your unre-
laxing vigilance prevented Burke
from getting at whore he supposed
he had hidden II. and At last the Bur-
Thursday night. Friday morning
was to have again met Tshen- byo-
yen to close the deal for the stone,
when one OF his henchmen notified
Burke and me that the attempt had
been failure, that they had sue
ceedsd In securing only the replica
We both charged Burke with double
dealing"
l started suddenly at his last
words: q possibility had flashed into
my mind. so huge and Significant
that ] could comprehend II only by
degrees. l spoke with quick eager
ness.
Mr.. Fluette. do you think the Bur.
mess would have devoted all these
years to recovering the jewel. II they
would-be purchaser that happened
along? Doesn't that strike you as a
bit peculiar?-as being Inconsistent
with their unfis gKing zeal. their tire
less efforts to regain what they con-
tend was once stolen from them
Those fellows are very far from
homo. please bear In mind"
II never before regarded II In that
light" he thouEhtfully returned.
Just how did Maiilot's story Of his
experience with Page impress your"
asked.
He gave me a quick glance.
ut was amazing. ! could not be-
lieve that Maillot was wilfully fabri
eating: yet. to accept his extraordi-
nary story left me. as the only alter
native. q conviction that Felix Page
had either undergone 4 change OF
heart or else had lost his mind"
1T didn't occur to you that Page
might be trying q samo Of his own"
asked.
Yes, many times. 1t is a remark
ably excellent imitation-silicate OF
alumina: tho weight color and hard
ness. tho measurements--tabl sirdle
and culasss-all correspond exactly
with tho original. II lacks only in
density. and perhaps a trifie in-but
no: II would require an expert test IA
determine that II was not true ruby
Then" I eagerly pursued. even AN
expert might be imposed upon by the
replica7"
WELL" he slowly admitted. "per-
haps-yes. But not for long: men
who deal In precious stones after Il
time develop . sort OF sixth sense that
protects them against imposition. II
10 too subtle to define; but any dia-
most perfect imitation will raise a
doubt In his mind as to its genuine
ness: q true stone. never"
rs II possible, Mr.. Fluettc," ] went
on. with ap enthusiasm which ne did
not in theSleast share. "that II never
occurred TO you what Bnrke's game
might be? With the connivancc oi
these Burmese, he was deliberately
attempting to swindle you: he meant
TO practise the old familiar game Of
switching the false for the rea
stone. The Burmese want the stone
not the money without the stone;
but for q generous share In the pro-
cesda thsy were willing 70 lend
tAsRssives - 1usks's kA,k ThAee'a