Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-10-28
The Double Gross
By A. E. THOMAS
A Mystery Story of Dramatic Power.
Copis by DoddM Mead Co.
Copyright. 1928. by Dodd. Mead & Co.

| Il wish to say that If you are able
to recover them, l will see that you
are reimbursed to the full amount of
! the insurance, plus any necessary eX-
pense. In addition to that, you will
place me under great obligation"
Il should be very glad to do that,
Mr.. Colby, believe me-"
Il need scarcely say that no public
ity whatever will attach to your efforts
in the matter"
The gambler leaned forward in his
chair, and fixed his keen eyes upon
the other. Understand me now, Mr.
COLBY have at present no knowl-
edge whatever as to the whereabouts
of the diamonds
My dear Bromfield"' exclaimed the
lawyer, reproachfully.
"Oh, ! know know Il good deal
more than you perhaps think of
| what is going on in your mind"
Il have endeavored to make myself
very clear"
You have done SO. But just now
/ can promise nothing"
Il ask you for no promise, except
that you will do what you can for
me-"
Very good" concluded Bromfield,
rising. Il will do my best to serve
you in this matter. Mr.. Colby. | will
make inquiries in certain quarters.
good many people commonly regarded
as undesirable citizens have reason
to be grateful to me for various small
services, and possibly some one of
them may be able to help both you
and me just now. l do not know, but
--. You see, Mr.. Colby. though YOU
may not think it. we-crlminals are
often grateful for kindneSSeS re-
Ceived." And with this shot Bromfield
departed.
HIM" unused the lawyer as the door
closed behind the gambler, mot bad
sort of fellow at all I'd like to take
him To my club. and yet l suppose
that if he We're to appear in st. Bar
tholomew'S Church next Sunday morn
ing several people much less admir-
able than he would be killed in the
rush to escape. Funny world-funny
world"
Now Bromfield had spoken the exact
truth when he said that he had no
knowledge of the present whereabouts
of the diamonds. Nevertheless. he had
seen them not long after their theft.
They had been offered him in payment
of a gambling debt. He had fatty
refused to accept them.
''No!' he said to his debtor. How
dare you bring them to me like this?
Take EN- away. / have never in all
my life been concerned with any kind
of theft, and never in my life do /
wish to be. Put 'em in your pocket
take 'em away. Don't ever let me
see EN- again
But" said his debtor, II offer them
TO you in payment of my debt
And l refuse them. Your personal
affairs are none of my business, but l
will never consent to be the receiver
of stolen goods"
The debtor departed with the jewels,
and presently his debt was paid in
cash. Bromfield knew, of course, how
the money to settle the obligation
must have been obtained. but that,
he figured. was none of his business
His skirts We're clear.
Some six hours after Bromfield left
Mr.. Colby in his office, a shabby lit
tie man rang the bell at the trades
mems entrance of Bromfield'S eStab-
lishment. A few moments later he en-
tered the office where Bromfield sat
with his feet again significantly upon
the Empire desk The visitor was in
no way abashed by the presence.
Want to see me, Bill?" he asked.
help yourself to a smoke. Want a
drink" His visitor accepted both
these offers and waited.
Mike" said Bromfield, you or
Charlie know anything about these
Colby diamonds"
The lids of Mikes left eye fickered
slightly.
Il want EN-" said Bromfield
Yeah"
Yeah. Colby's a friend of mine.
Can you get EN-?
Might
Get EN- then"