Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-03-24
CHAPTER 2

so SOON, the Chinese servant. was
sitting near the safe. gun on his
knees. Van Every had told Margalo
and me. 1 smiled when I thought of
him, for his face must be as enig-
matte as ever. unsmiling. blank.
I'D rather rust Soon with the
ruby than myself" Van Every had
noticed my smile 81 haven't had
time to take it down yet Well
would have" he hesitated moment,
81 would have. only I wanted to see
the thing. hold it. Realize it was
mine. You know. Vaughan"
nodded. Tie recollection Of the
Khonivar was fresh in my mind. He
had played with it several days be-
fore he had put it In deposit box
with his collection. had played
with it. too. In fact we sat one
whole evening at the villa, looking at
the gem and specializing on its his
tory. l was with Van Every when
he measured it. weighed it. exam
ined it.
The Camden ruby was not entirely
unknown to me. had read about
It casually in newspapers. Wild I'M
believable stories. fantastic things
Every large famous gem has his
tory, but the Camden ruby seemed
10 top them all. Van Every would
know the truth about it, though
Stories Of gems fascinated him al
most as much as the jewels them
selves.
Rather a grim history back of it?'
Margalo suggested. as if she wanted
Van Every to tell her about it.
"Well-rather. but this is no place
to tell it." He looked nervously
about. The restaurant was crowded
with after-t heater people. Walters
we're hurrying back and forth from
the kitchen. chafng dishes on their
trays. He hated restaurants. I knew.
II would have asked you to my
place for something to eat. but Soon
lis busy"
We left for Van Every's home in a
taxi. Margalo was rather silent She
leaned back against the leather
cushions, her eyes half closed
IF you're too tired. We'll drop off
at your apartment" I suggested.
"Please. Gary. let me see the ruby.
] declare 1 think you're trying to
get rid Of me-"
1--WE won't stay long" I promised
"Queer how such a gem happens
to be in New York" Margalo re-
marked.
mot so queer. Miss Younger,
when you know the story"
"Are you sure it's genuine?"
Van Every was not offended. He
often had been asked just such ques-
tons. When first knew him. had
asked the same about the Khonivar.
"Yes-quite sure. The stone is the
finest I've ever seen. Beautiful. But
you'n see It for yourself"
Margalo was regarding him curl
ously as we alighted from the taxi ,
in front of an CID brownstone resi-
dence on West 74th street. The
house was similar to most Of the |
others in the block. A fight Of choc-
olate-colored steps led from the side
walk up some dozen feet to the front |
door. a big oak affair with a modern |
Yale lock imposed on the wood above |
the old-fashioned brass one.
saw Van Every glance quickly at |
the windows Of the second story be- |
fore he placed his key in the lock |
Although the first and third floor |
windows were dark. faint light |
showed on the second. Soon was
probably sitting. gun on his knees, |
guarding his masters treasure.
A switch which Van Every touched |
just inside the oak door flooded the |
hall with pale yellow light 1t was
small. as halls go. and to the right |
was a narrow stairway. flush with |
the wall on one side. while the other |
was f1anked by carved wood rail-
ing. Nothing but a chair and table |
in the hall. well chosen they seemed |
to me. buy could not see clearly |
because of the dim light which came
from an old temple lamp suspended |
from the ceiling.
We followed Van Every up the
thickly carpeted stairs. passed a. |
small Psyche settled languidly in a |
niche in the wall. and came to the
upstairs hall. This was narrow. too.
Van Every opened a ioor near the
front and we entered room. which
was very evidently his library. A
single light vas burning On the table