Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-10-31
F&e FLAMINGM
~ JEWEE:::L!!:;.Sf!
II M lN pOBEpT W CHAMBERS
i 1ooq GEORGE H DonAs ooStp's~
{ 100 eropes H DoRAN o'NnN

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II was going to scrape Il off, " he
rasned "The tree was sticky
ouintanna. with the muzzle of his
nistol. detached half dozen dia-
monds and rubies that eiung 20 the
gum on Mr.. Sards palm.
wash he said dryly
Sard, sweating with fear, washed
his right hand with whisky from his
pocket-fash, and dried II for gen
eral inspection.
MY Cod" he protested tremu-
lously ''it was accidental, gentle
men. DO you think I'd try 70 get
away with anything like that
Quintana coolly showed him aside
and with the barrel Of his pistol he
pushed the fiat pile of gems INTO
Ave separate heaps. Only ne and
Georgiades knew that magnificent
diamond had been lodged in the
muzzle OF his pistol The eyes or
the Greek famed with rage al the
trick but he awaited the division be-
fore he should come TO any conclu-
sion.
Qulntana coolly picked out The
Flaming Jewel and pocketed II
Then. 10 zach man ne indicated the
heap which was 20 be his portion
A snsriing wrangle instantly be-
gan Sanchez objecting TO ruhies ana
demanding more emeralds, and Pic
auet complaining violently concern
ing the smaliness Of the diamonds
allotted him.
sard's trained eyes appraised every
every allotment Without weign-
ing. and. lacking time and parapher-
MALTA for expert examination, he was
in lined to think the division fair
enough.
ouintana got to his feet litheiy.
For me-" he sad ut is hnisr.
with my frien sard l shall now de-
part. Messieurs. / embrace and
salute you. A bientot in Paris-if
it be Gods will Donc-au revoir,
les amis, ct la bonheur! Allonsl
Each for himself and gar aux flies !"
Sard, seized with sort of still
terror. regarded Quntana with
enormous eyes. Torn between dis
may OF being left alone in the viii
derness, and !. very natural fear OF
any single companion, he did not
know what to say or do.
En- masse. the gang were too dis
trustful OF one another to unite on
robbing any individual. But any
individual might easily rob a COM
panion when alone with him.
"why-why can't we all go to-.
gether.' he stammered. 1T is safer,
surer--"
II go with Qulntana and you" in
terrupted Georgiades smillingly; his
mind on the diamond in the muz-
zle OF Quintana's pistol
Il do not invite you" said Quln
tana. But come II 1t pleases YOU"
II also prefer to come with you
others" growled Sanchez. IT
roam alone in this filthy forest does
not suit me"
Picquet shrugged his shoulders,
turned on his heel in silence. They
watched him moving away all alone
eastward. When he I'D disappear-
cd among the trees, Quintana look
ed inquirigly at the others.
"Eh. bien, non alorsl" snarled
Georgiades suddenly. There are
too many in your trupeau, mon
capitaine Bonnie chancer
He turned and started noisily in
the direction taken by Picquet.
They watched him out Of sight;
listened to his careless trample after
4 he was lost TO view. Whom at
length the last distant sound of his
retreat had died away in the still
ness Qnintana touched sard with the
point of his pistol.
eco first" he said suavely.
For Gods sake, be a little care
| full of your gun
II am, my dear frien'. II is OF
YOU l may become careless. You
viii mos kin'iy face south, and you
will be kin sufficient 10 start im-
mediate. Tha's what l mean.
I thank you. Now my frien'.
sachez. That's correct You shall
follow my frien Sard YER close.
Me. / march In the rear. So we
! shall pass to the cas- Of thees Star
| Pom. then between the cross-road
| an Ghos Lake; an then we shall
respose; an one OF us, en- vidette,
shall discover II the Constabulary
have patrol beyon' Allons!
Marchl"
(Continucd In the Next Issue.)