The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-08-11

A sudden rattle close to him made
hin start violently only to curse him.
self FOR a ervo ass the next mo-
ment, and lean forward eagerly. One
OF the blinds had been released from
inside the room. and a pale, diffused
light came altering out into the night
from the side Of the glass roof. He
was still craning backward and for
ward to try and find some chink
through which he could see, when,
with a kind OF uncanny elaboration,
n OF the panes Of glass slowly
opened. 1t was worked ON a ratchet
ron inside, and Hugh bowed his
thanks 70 the unseen operator below.
Then he leant forward cautiously, and
The whole room was visible to him,
and his jaw frightened as he took in
the scene. In an armchair, smoking
as unconcernedly a. ever, sat Peter
son. He was reading a letter, and
occasionally undermining some point
with a pencil. Beside him on a table
was a big ledger, and every and
then he would turn over a few pages
n make an entry. But 1t was not
Peterson on whom the watcher above
was concentrating his attention; 1t
was Lexington, taking a red velvet
box out Of a drawer In the desk. He
opened 1t lovingly, and Hugh saw the
flash OF diamonds. darlington let the
stones run through his hands, glitter
ing with a thousand flames, while Pc
terson watched him contemptuously.
"Baubles," he said, scornfully.
Pretty bauhles. What will you get
for them?"
"Ten, perhaps fifteen thousand" re-
turned the other. but it's not the
money I care about; it's the delight
in having them, and the skill required
to get them"
Peterson shrugged his shoulders.
Skill which would give you hum
dreds of thousands IL you turned 1t
Into proper channels"
darlington replaced the stones, and
threw the end Of his cigarette into
the CRATE.
Possibly, Carl, quite possibly. But
1t boils down to this, my friend, mat
you like the big canvas with broad
effects; I like the miniature and the
well-drawn etching"
(Which makes us a very happy COM
bination," said Peterson. 1.-THE pearls,
don't forget, are your Job. The big
thing"-he turned to the other, and
a trace Of excitement came into his
voice-"the big thing Is mine"
The sound Of the door opening made
both men swing round instantly then
Peterson stepped forward with a
smile as Trina entered.
Back, my dear. l hardly expected
you so soon"
In a few words he told the girl
what had happened, and she clapped
her hands together delightedly.
"Assuredly I shall have to marry
that man." she cried. HE Is quite
the least boring individual l have met
in this atrOcious country" She sat
down and lit a cigarette. ~ saw Wal.
ter tonight. He came over especially
to see you. They want you there for
a meeting, at the Ritz"
Peterson frowned.
"It's most inconvenient," he re-
marked with a shade Of annoyance In
his voice. "Did he say whyT'
"Among other things l think they're
uneasy about the American" she an
swered. MY dear man, you can east
ly slip Over for a day"
"Of course I can," said Peterson
irritably; but that doesn't alter the
fact that it's i~nconvenient. Things
will be shortly coming to a head here,
and / want to be on the spot. How
ever" He started to walk up and
down the room, frowning thoughtfully.
"Your fish is hooked, mon ami"
continued the girl to Lexington. "He
has already proposed three times
and he has introduced me to q dread
Unlocking woman Of extreme virtue,
who has adopted me as her niece for
the great occasion"
"What great OccasionT asked LAX
ington.
"Why, his coming Of age" cried the
girl. II am to go to Laidley Towers
as an honored guest Of the duchess
y Of hampshire" She threw back her
head and laughed. what 40 you