Evening star., 1923-01-07
THE DIAMOND

reCIlyg ne SdlO. lncy Will bO hcAc'
The girl came in for her diamond.
How she earned it puzzles
me. The man had to get
through with it as quickly as he
could"
He made a little gesture.
From the station to Bartoldrs in
a taxicab and back to the first train
out-that would be his plan-to
hurry"
He added: 1T was a risk, a big
risk. But he had to take it. He
couldn't trust anybody; he had to
do it himself"
1 looked at Walker with what I
imagined was an ironical smile.
Then he would not be guilty under
brought the little baggage in to buy
her diamond"
Walker seemed in a sort OF re-
fiection.
"oh, yes he said, ''he is guilty"
Then you want him?' I asked.
Walker suddenly looked at me with
his eyes wide.
Surely" he said.
Then why don't you hurry"
demanded
He looked at me with a leisurely
interest. IF he's here" he said, che
can't get out. I've got three of the
best agents of the department in
there-sent them up when 1 started
to Bartoldrs to meet you"
But how would they know him?"
l asked.
They would know him by a scar
in his hand" replied Walker.
They ought to know him by a
girl on his arm" said.
Walkers voice became reflective.
81 wonder If she could be his grand
daughter, after all"'
l laughed. That laugh was like
the key to a memory. I at once re-
membered where had seen this man
and the girl.
1t was at the end of the path that
follows the sea south at Bar Harbor.
There is a great house where the
path ends. 1t was closed = the shut
ters were up, and the grounds only
casually kept; 1 remembered it now.
l had undertaken one afternoon TO
get through from this sea path to the
village street and had wandered into
an immense sunken garden. / was
making no sound.
The grass and leaves had covered
tbs paths; it was very still. and
presently 1 heard the murmur of
voices. 1 wondered who could be
there, for, as / have said. the place
was closed, and l was discovering
that there was no way through to
the village street. ! went forward
a few steps, and beyond me. stand
ing in an angle of the garden. OBJ
scured by an immense towering vine,
were this old man and this girl.
remembered the scene perfectly,
now that 1 had the key to it.
x i i
THE old man was speaking in q
i low voice, as though he urged
something. offered something, and
the girl was listening in the attitude
in which I had observed her this
afternoon, her head down, her arms
remember the explanation that pre-
sented itself. This old man must be
the owner of the place and the girl
a keepers daughter, perhaps The
memory bore out my impression, the
impression which I received today
and the impression which had evil
IDENTIFY convinced Bartoldi
told it all to Walker, very care
fully and in detail, as we went into
the great lobby and down to the train
exits. Walker caught my arm in his
big hand.
THAT explains it." he commented
Then he stopped abruptly.
by the way" he said. as though
it had just occurred to him and he
let me have a look at that artificial
diamond"
took the piece of tissue paper out
of my waistcoat pocket and handed
it to him. He unfolded the paper.
took the diamond out and retained
10 in his hand. We crossed through
the throngs of people everywhere
u
the exit indicating the evening train
to Bar Harbor We entered the little
group and 1 realized suddenly that
we were close behind the old man
and the girl. They were facing
toward the gate.
Suddenly Walker opened his hand
and dropped my diamond to the floor.
1t clattered at the feet of the girl
and Walker stopped swiftly and
picked it up.
your daughter" he said, speaking
to the old man, "has dropped the
| setting out of her ring: permit me
| TO return IT,"
| The man turned instantly like a
| trapped animal. For moment both
of his hands went into the pockets
4 Of his coat and for an instant his
face was uncertain, vague, deadly;
then he put out his hand for the dia-
mond.
walker gave it to him and turned
to me.
Perhaps" he said, 1--WE had better
see If the trunks got on. We have
nearly ten minutes to wait"
And we walked away toward the
great stair leading to the baggage
room.
The girl did not move; she did not
sneak; she remained as she had stood
/ in Bartoldis shop, her head down
| concealed, as far as she was able to
conceal it, under the dropping hat
iloaded with soiled roses. Walker was
crossing toward the great stair in
his long stride and hurrying in my
| astonishment to overtake him.
soThe devil, man. / cried when