Evening star., 1925-05-10
THE DOUBLES.
BY J. j. BELL.
A Little Matter of Valuable Gem and Some Crooks.
BY J. j. BELL.

your Highness deigns to remem.
Der me? Good!' The visitor took
the only chair. From his vest pocket
he brought a small phial and placed
it on the dressing table. Permit
me to offer your Highness a couple
of these tabloids," he said. and, pro-
ducing a silver case, selected and lit
a cigarette.
Mr.. Groten. looking and feeling
Did I expect you?" he inquired at
last.
According to an appointment made
last night" amiaDI7 returned the visi.
tor Possibly your Highness-"
"Oh, chuck it!' muttered Groten.
II never felt lower"
"Well," said the other, good.na-
turedly. ''the title is perhaps a little
premature. Nevertheless, 1t is pro-
phetic. l think. May 1 refresh your
memory regarding last night, Mr..
Groten?"
II wish you would. It's the only
refreshment I'm likely to have this
morning. Sorry I can't offer you
Thanks. It's too early. But first
take a couple" The man who had
called himself Roam tossed the phial
upon the bed. NOV 1 may remind
you that my friend and 1 had the
pleasure Of making your acquaintance
in the Blue Dragon
II don't seem to remember your
friend"
Il hardly supposed you would. He
on most of the conversation. You
may recollect telling US that you once
thought of going on the stage, Mr..
Groten?"
Ibid II" muttered Groten, swal-
lowing two tabloids. I've thought Of
doing lots of things" he added Bit
terly.
You'll feel better presently" said
Roland.
Then you were good enough to
favor us with some limitations of
English as spoken by foreigners"
Il must have been bad" sighed
Groten. pressing his temples.
1.-The limitations were excellent-es.
pecially that of the Italian. You are
aware that Prince Lorenzo is in town
at present"
"Is he?" murmured Groten. wishing
the visitor would go and leave him
to his physical misery and his 10
pounds. Never heard of Prince Lo-
renzo." he added wearily.
Pray give me your attention for
a brief space" said the visitor mildly.
Il am about to offer you an easy op-
portunity of earning a thousand
pounds"
Groten started. what! A thou
Hush! You will excite yourself.
Pray listen" Mr.. Rowland drew
deep inhalation. expelled the fragrant
smoke, and continued: You have
doubtless heard of Sir Benjamin Gar
net, the financier? OF course you
have. Well, Sir Benjamin-or it may
be Lady Garnet-is giving a garden
party, the day after tomorrow, and
Prince Lorenzo will be the guest of
the afternoon. Lorenzo is not
kins,' as they used to say in America,
in his own little State. And he is
quite crazy on precious stones. I'm
fortunately he is not wealthy enough
to buy the best. On the other hand,
Sir Benjamin is. Are you following
me"
''Yes. yes" The headache was GER
tainly easing.
But Sir Benjamin is not
devoted to precious stones as
precious stones, though he knows and
their value. What Sir
Benjamin desires most of all at pres
ent is a number of concessions-for
electric trans, among other things
which the prince has power to grant
or negotiate. So, at the garden party.
Sir Benjamin intendS-with his we'll
known ostentation and bumptiousness
to beg the princes acceptance of
remarkably fine diamond, recently
brought from South Africa, and pur-
chased by him for hundred thousand
pounds. In return for the diamond
Sir Benjamin will get the concessions
worth to him about five millions. Is
all that clear?"
Quite" said Groten. sitting up.
but I don't see what all that has to
do with me-
you'll see in a moment" the other
replied, lighting fresh cigarette form
the stump Of the exhausted one.
Nov listen carefully. Prince Lo-
renzo will be prevented from attending
the garden party, and you will go in
his place and graciously accept the
diamond. On handing it over to me
you shall receive the sum Of a thou
sand pounds-in sovereigns, If you
like"
stop. STOP"
Haven't made myself plain?"
yes; but"
"You need money, don't you?'
''The devil knows do! But this"
"Ahr' exclaimed the visitor, laugh
ing, II have omitted an important
point. You are, Of course, unaware
that you resemble the prince in re-
markable fashion,"
"Eh?"
with a little darkening you will be
his living image. Now you see why
you have been chosen to"
"You-you want me to sneak
the"
Not so loud, please. I merely
wish you to take charge of the stone
for. say, 80 minutes, and receive a
thousand pounds for your trouble, Mr..
Groten. And your trouble will be
slight. Everything shall be nicely ar
ranged"
Groten got up. You have come to
the wrong shop. Mr.. Roland" he said.
II don't steal"
Don't you?" Roland laughed gently.