The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-11-05
JEWELS.

ample of Crown Derby ware, stood
on the dim counter before them.
But" said the woman, lit is old.
1t was the taypot Of my grandmother
before me, an they told me always
twas worth a mint OF money"
Mr.. Colahan lied without tremor.
ut is forgery only he said. 1.-THE
real original, now. 'Twould be worth
much, but this-this copy is of little
value. Three shillings."
The woman, seeing the futility of
further parleying, capitulated.
"Give me the money! she said,
with an i'll grace.
Mr.. Colahan, briskly washing his
hands in invisible water, rendered a
half-crown and sixpenee
Mr.. Colahan ((called Benny by his
intimates) scarcely matched his name.
A man nearing sixty years, his egg
shaped skull was bald, his shaven chin
blue, his black and piercing eyes were
close set to his hooked nose.
The woman went out, the squalling
child had been dragged into some OBJ
security, and the sallow half-caste en-
tered with quiet feet. Mr.. Colahan
used little more of his invisible soap.
eyes," he said.
The colored man took in the shop
and it's proprietor in one comprehen-
sive glance. He kept his left hand
firmly in the pocket of his seaman's
blue coat
at ees," he said, in very under.
standable English" "a little beesness
just little beesneGs."
That" said Mr.. Colahan, sis the
purpose of this establishment"
'You buy good things. You give
lot of money for good things?"
1--WE buy outright, or advance money
on anything from'-he hesitated-
from a tie-pin to motorcar."
The half-caste looked about the shop
again, as though he expected to see a
Rolls-Royce lacked up in some corner
He appeared to be in no hurry to come
to the point.
Mr.. Colahan had bitten on the hook
but he gave no sign. This man was
a sailor, without doubt; one who had
seen strange lands and cities; one
who might, at the present moment
be in possession of anything any
thing!
''The best money in this town,
amplified the pawnbroker with con
viction.
The sailor drew his hand from his
pocket, and unclasped it, palm up
wards. A glistening stone, blood-ret
and pulsing, it seemed, with life, lay
there. 1t was rudely faceted.
Mr.. Colahan gasped. His eyes bulg
ed. He made strange sounds in his
throat.
"a ruby" he cried. Gosh! What
a ruby"
The half-caste displayed no emo
| ton. ..s
1.-TWO hundred pounds" he said.
The mention of money damped the
to say that to him the gem visibly
shrunk, even drlled little He spread
his hands in protest.
1.-TWO hundred pounds!" he said
"It is enormous; and, unable to re
sist his customary reflection, he add
ed, 'it may not be genuine"
The sailor closed his hand and re
turned it to his pocket. He bowed
gravely, and turned away.
mo! Mo-" cried Mr.. Colahan, il
a strangled voice. Stay one minute
Business is business, my friend"
The half-caste paused.
81 am closing the shop now" sale
the pawnbroker, noting his advantage
BE pleased to step into my little
room, sir, where we can talk things
over quietly. This is too big a thins
to settle over counter"
And he ushered his now importan
visitor into the little parlor that ad
joined the shop. Here he left hin
while he attended to his necessary
duties. One of these was to call {
small and dirty boy from the darken
ing street.
| Co." he said, ego to Joseph Cola
hans in Bridge street. You know it 2
| The gamin nodded.
l. sTell him-tell Mr.. Colahan to come
here at once. 1t is most importan
most Important" and he put sill
liver sixpence into the eager hand.
"Do you mind waiting few min
utes, sir?' said he with Difference.
| The half.caste shot him quie
glance, but was apparently satisfied
He nodded.
Mr.. Colahan lit the oil stove, ant
put on the kettle. He was far from
easy, knowing instinctively that hi
Visitors concealed hand was yer.
Eclose to the hilt of a knife. He knew
this kind of person very well indeed
He was brewing tea when his broth
er arrived.
The elder Mr.. Colahan briefly intro
lduced the stranger, emphasizing thu
need for his brothers advice. 1t wa
a matter of ruby.
ga ruby!" Joseph Colahan pricket
|up his ears. where is it?''
The half-caste Enclosed his hant
Iagain.
"Ah!"
The jewelers. eyes snapped fire. HI
had never seen such stone.
"Ah!" he said again, softly. "Hov
much?"
1.-TWO hundred pounds"
Joseph looked at his brother, en-
Iquiringly.
ut is lot of money" said tina
|gentleman, "a lot of money. What d.