Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 March 1908 — The TAKING oƒ DIAMONDS. [ARTICLE]

The TAKING oƒ DIAMONDS.

By Louis Tracy,

Author of “Wings of the Morning,” “The Pillar of Light,” Etc.

It was necessary to change his skin once more befdre the metamorphosis tie contemplated was complete. He was acquainted with a large outfitting emporium in Ludgate Hill which exactly suited his requirements, so he rode thither on A ’btts. Passing Somerset House, he recalled Isaacsteln's remark about getting bls letter “stamped.” He did not know what stamping meant In a legal sense, but he guessed that It Implied the affixing of a seal of some sort. There was no need to hurry over it, he thought At 11 o’clock Isaacstein would either keep his word about the £5,000 or endeavor to wriggle out of the compact. In either event Philip had already determined to consult Mr. Abingdon. He had now in his pocket about £3B. Half an hour later he was wearing a new tweed suit, new Lat and new boots. He had acquired a stock of linen and underclothing, dn uihbrella and an overcoat. Some of these articles, together with his discarded clothes, were packed In two new leather portmanteaus, on which his initials would be painted by noon, when he would call for them. He paid £26 for the lot, and the man who waited on him tried in vain to tempt him to spend more. Philip knew exactly what he wanted. He adhered to his programme. He possessed sufficient genuine luggage and clothing to be—presentable any where. He—had enough money to maintain himself for weeks If necessary. For the rest, another couple of hours would place It beyond doubt whether he was a millionaire or not; for, if Isaacstein failed him, London was big enough and wealthy enough to quickly decide that point He entered the Hatton Garden office as the clocks struck the hour. Some boys of his age might have experienced a malicious delight when the youth on guard bounced up with a smirk and a ready: “Yessir. Vat iss It, sir?” Not so Philip. He simply asked for Mr. Isaacstein, but he certainly could not help smiling at the expression of utter amazement when his Identity dawned on his hearer. The “Yessir, vil you blease valk in,” was very faint, though. The office boy ushered him upstairs as one in a dream, for he had been warned to expect Philip, a Philip in rags, not a ■mart young gentleman like a bank clerk. Isaacstein on this occasion looked and acted the sound man of business he really was. He awaited Philip in bis private office. He seemed to be pleased by the change effected in the boy's outward appearance. There was less of burlesque, less outrage to his feelings, in discussing big sums of money with a person properly attired than with one who wore the garments of a tramp. “Good morning,” he said pleasantly. “You are punctual, I am glad to see. Have you been to Somerset House?” “No,” said Philip. “Why not? If you are going to control a big capital, you must learn business habits or you will lose it, no matter how large it may be.”' ; ; “Would Somerset House compel you to pay me, Mr. Isaacstein?” “Not exactly, but the stamping of important documents Is a means toward an end I assure you." “I will see to it, but I wanted primarily to be certain of one of two things—first, will you pay the £5,000 as promised; second, will you give me a fresh purchase note for my diamonds which will not indicate so definitely that I am the boy concerning whom there has been so much needless publicity during the last few days?” It was of no avail for Isaacstein to bandy words with Philip. A boy of fifteen who casually introduced such a word as “primarily” into a sentence and gave a shrewd thrust about “needless publicity” to the person responsible for it was not to be browbeaten even in business affairs. The man whipped out a check book. “Am I to make out a check for £5,000 to ‘Philip?’” he asked. “No; to Philip Anson, please.’,’ "Thank you. And now, shall I put any address on the contract note which I will hand you?" “The Pall "Mall hotel.” Isaacstein with difficulty choked back a comment. The Pall Mali hotel was the most expensive establishment in London. He tossed the check and another document across the table. “There you are," he said. “Come with me to my bank. You will excuse the hurry, I have a lot to do before I leave for Amsterdam tonight.” Philip saw that the acknowledgment of his diamonds appeared to be In proper form. “There Is no need at this moment to explain to the bank manager that I am the hero of the police court affair?” he said. “None whatever. I am lending you the money, and will be paying you a good deal more very soon. That will be sufficient He may draw his own conclusions, of course.” Philip was now looking at the check. “Why do you put ‘account payee' between these two strokes?” he said. The man explained, and even found time to show him how to cross and indorse such Important slips of paper.

Then they walked to the bank, a few doors away The elderly manager was obviously surprised by the size of the check and the youth of the ‘.‘payee.’’ “Oh, this is nothing, a mere flea bite,” said Isaacstein. “In a few days he will have ten times the amount to his credit." “Dear me. Are you realizing property on bls behalf?" “Yes.” “Well, Mr. Anson,” said the manager pleasantly, “I hope you will take care of your money.” “I want you to do that,” smiled Philip, who was slightly nonplused by the prefix to his name, heard by him for the first time.' “Oh. if you leave it w-lth me It will be quite safe." “I cannot leave all, but certainly > will not spend £5,000 In a week. I liean to buy some property, though, lad—can I have a hundred now?” “By all means.” Philip wrote his first check and received twenty crisp five pound notes. Isaacstein stood by, smiling grimly. He had not yet got over the farcical side of this extraordinary occurrence, and he was wondering what the bank manager would have said could he but see Philip as he, Isaacstein, saw him no later than the previous day. “By the way,” said Philip, whose heart was beating a little now, “suppose I wish to give a reference to anybody, will you two gentlemen answer for me?” “The bank will always say whether or not your check will be honored to a stated amount. In other respects Mr. Isaacstein, who brought you here, will serve your purpose admirably—none better in the city of London,” replied the banker. Isaacstein placed both feet together, and his head sank between his shoulders. He again reminded Philip of a top. The boy fancied that in a second or two he would begin to spin and pur. The bank manager’s statement flattered the little man. It was the sort of thing he understood. Philip privately resolved to make this human top wabble when alone with him in the street again. “One more question, and I have ended,” he said. “Where Is the best place to. store some valuables?” “It all depends on their nature. What are they—plate, jewels, paper?” The man’s ears were alert now, and the boy smiled faintly. “Oh,” he explained, “I have a very large quantity of rich ore which I wish to lodge In some place where it will be secure and yet easy of access.” “I would recommend you to rent a strong room In the safe deposit across the street. There you have absolute security and quick access during buslness hours." * Philip expressed his thanks and quitted the bank with his agent. In the middle of Holborn, In the midst of the jostling, hurrying occupants of one of the busiest thoroughfares in London, he pulled the giant diamond out of his pocket and suddenly held It under Isaacsteln’s nose. “I told you I had them as big as hen’s eggs,” he cried. “What do you think of this one?” Isaacstein glanced at it for one fascinated second. Then he looked around with the stealthy air of a man who fears lest he may be detected in the commission of a terrible crime. “Are you mad?” he whispered. “No, not mad," answered Philip coolly as he pocketed the gem. “I only wanted you to wabble.” “You wanted me to wabble!” “Yes. You look so like a big top at times. When do we meet again, Mr. Isaacstein?” “You are not going away by yourself with that stone in your pocket?” ' “Why not! It attracted no special notice from the people as I came here. Nobody can smell it. It won’t explode or burn a hole In my clothes. It is quite safe, I assure you.’’ “But let me take It to Amsterdam. Boy! boy! It must weigh four hundred carats!” “Enough of business for today. I have a lot of things to attend to. Shall wo say Tuesday ?” “No; Wednesday at 11. One word. Let me put It In my safe.” “Goodby.” Philip hailed a hansom and drove off to Ludgate Hill, smiling graciously at Isaacstein as he whirled away. The man swayed gently through the crowd, until he reached the office, when he dropped limply into his chair. Then he shouted for his confidential clerk. “Samuel,” he murmured, “take charge, please. I’m going home. I want to rest before I start for Harwich. And, Samuel!” “Yes, sir.” “While I am away you might order another scales. In future we will sell diamonds by the pound, like potatoes.” [TO bk continued]