The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-10-19
CHAPTER IX-Continued
10

TO-
"My dear Bromfeld," exclaimed the
lawyer, reproachfully.
"0h, l KNOW know a good deal
more than you perhaps think of what
Is going on In your mind"
81 have endeavored to make my
self very clear"
"You have done so. But just now
I can promise nothing"
81 ask for no promise, except that
you will do what you can for me-"
Every good" concluded Bromfeld,
rising. 81 will do my best to serve
you in this matter, Mr.. Colby. will
make inquiries in certain quarters. A
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. ] do not know,
but You see, Mr.. Colby, though
you may not think it, we-criminals
are often grateful for kindnesses re-
ceived." And with this shot Brom-
Leld departed.
He had spoken the exact truth
when he said that he had no knowl-
edge of the present whereabouts of
the diamonds. Nevertheless, he had
seen them not long after their theft.
They had been offered him n pay
ment of gambling debt. He had
fatty refused to accept them.
"NoI" he said to his debtor. How
dare you bring them to me like this?
Take 'em away. have never In all
my life been concerned with any kind
of theft, and never in my life do l
wish to be. Put 'em in your pocket
take 'em awayl | viii never consent
to be the receiver of stolen goods"
The debtor departed with the jew
els, and presently his debt was paid
in cash. Bromfeld 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 were clear.
Some six hours after Bromfield left
Mr.. Colby in his Office, shabby little
man rang the bell at the tradesmen's
entrance OF Bromfield's establishment.
A few moments later he entered the
Office where Bromfeld sat The Wis.,
itor was In no way abashed by the
Presence.
"Mike," said BrOmfeld, you or
Charlie know anything about these
Colby diamonds?"
The lids of Mikes left eye fickered
Lightly.
81 want 'em," said Bromfeld.
"Yeah7"
"Yeah. Colby's q friend of mine.
Can you get 'em?"
Might"
sect ELLA then"
might take a few days."
"Oh, sure. Got to chase around to
get 'em together again / suppose"
"Yeah."
"Philly In on lt?"
"Yeah."
"One-Eye?"
"NOpe."
"Oh well-nothin' to me who's In
on it. Get 'em-that's ALL"
"One-Eye, he-er-er-kind of-er
Err"
Bromfeld seized a pen, wrote six
words on piece of paper and fiicked
it across the desk. "Give him that"
he said.
Mike picked up the paper, glanced
at it, stuffed 1t in his shoes.
"This is Monday" went on Brom-
field. "HOw soon"
"wednesday night, mebbe."
Fright. Take drink and beat It."
Mike did both of those things.
On Thursday morning next Mr.. Col.
by, in going through the letters on
his office desk already opened by his
secretary, encountered the following
/ note:
"Mr. William Bromfield presents
| his compliments to Mr.. Alexander Col
| by and requests the favor of per
sonal interview at Mr.. Colby's office
this afternoon between the hours of
three and four. z. 8. Y. P"
The lawyer smiled qaizzice, smile.
| and took up his telephone.
Late that afternoon he spent one
half nour with Doris over The tea
cups. This was custom which had
grown In frequency Of late. Though
he had always been close to his daugh.
| ter, Of late he had seemed 10 be drawn
to her even more intimately tLan of
| old. He began TO see that she needed
him, and though ne regretted the
cause, he was not ill-pleased with its
result. The talk had fallen on the
! subject of the stolen Jewels.