THE BABYLONIAN DIAMOND

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 446, 3 November 1904, Page 2

THE BABYLONIAN DIAMOND

COPYRIGHT

CHAPTER U.—(Continued.)

As they walked up the garden he asked her to excuse him if he left immediately, and she bowed acquiescence, her hand resting timidly upon his arm. 1 1 forgot to tell you,' he said, as they entered the house, ' that Albert told me he would drop in and see you during the evening.' Her hand tightened upon his arm. 'Mr Douglas ?' she exclaimed. He looked down quickly. A sudden suspicion seized him. Was she in love with his friend Albert? . "Was that her reason for having rejected his suit? He passed his hand across his face. The struggle to preserve an outwardly calm demeanour when all the time his heart and brain were burning like a furnace was almost beyond his power. Recovering himself by a sheer effort of will, he made his apologies and adieux in a few quiet words. Mrs Stanhope tried 10 persuade him to wait for his friend Albert, but the house seemed to have suddenly grown unbearable. He wanted to be out in the air. So he murmured regrets and another engagement, and. having said • Good-bye,' went out into the night, a host of passions warring in his soul.

CHAPTER m. As Albert Douglass walked down to the bank the next morning there was a smile on his face and a springiness in his step that either betokened tho world was treating him very kindly or that he was exceedingly well pleased with himself. As it so happened, he was fortunate in both respects. He had called at Mrs Stanhope's the previous evening, shortly after Raven Ferrett had left. To his surprise he found Maud in a bad state of depression—in fact, almost in tears; and he tried hard to discover the cause, but without success. Then she sang to him, and in the midst of her song she remembered Raven's pale, mobile face as it looked at her when he spoke of his affection, and, already unnerved by his passionate words, her sing'ng ceased abruptly, and she burst into tears. The next moment Albert Douglass's arm was round her, her head pillowed on his shoidder, and his voice whispering words of love and pity into her ears; and this new love story was sweeter music to her, while its melody quickly obliterated for the time being the remembrance of the old. When Albert left the house at a quarter to twelve he did so with the satisfaction of having won a charming woman for his wife, and with the delighted approbation of Mrs Stanhope when they told her the news. But of Raven's love for her Maud told Albert nothing. That was her secret, and she kept it one. When Albert reached the bank, he went up the stairs with a bound, and passing through the principal department with a rush, cast a genial nod of recognition to the various clerks, and then disappeared into his private ro3m.

«The chief is bright this morning,' said the head cashier, Luke Hirst, to one of his subordinates.

'Yes. Perhaps he won at cards last night,' laughed the other. Gaily whistling an air from • Cavalleria,' Albert changed his coat, and commenced going through his correspondence. Suddenly it dawned upon him that Raven had not arrived, and he wondered what particular business hatkkept this most punctual of men from his accustomed place. Thinking there might be a letter from him among the little pile upon the table, he cast his eye over them and found his surmises were correct, for one bore the unmistakable bandwriting of the absent manager. It lan as follows:

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

BY AUSTIN FRYERS.

'My dear Albert, —It has just occured to me that the delicate business of the Brazilian loan may be accelerated if I run down to Hastings and see the Brazilian Minister in person. He is putting up at the Clarendon Hotel. Consequently, I shall go first thing in the morning, and return either in the evening, or the commencement of the next day.

' Yours ever, ' Raven Ferrelt.

The banker put it down with] a smile. •It is just like old Raven,' he murmured, 'to run down there and ease matters. Dear old chap!' This is one of the instances where man's sublime egotism comes to the fore. Albert thought it was for him that Raven had left London. In reality, it was because he wanted to get away from everybody for a day or so, that he might recover-tris selfcontrol. The Brazilian Loan was merely an excuse and an afterthought. This love affair, which had come so suddenly into Raven's life, had disturbed him very much, and it was with a view to nullifying or dulling the pain of his rejection that he had abruptly left London. Albert duly went through his letters; answered some, and passed the others on to his clerk. Then, after transacting some further business, he went to lunch.

Before doing so, however, he had occasion to get a paper of great importance from the safe in which the Colonel's property had been stored. As he went to take the paper, his eye unconsciously fell upon the case of the great diamond which had so impressed them the previous day; and, filled with mere idle curiosity, he touched the spring of the case, and once more feasted his eyes upon the wonderful beauty of the stone. Once again he experienced the sensation of awesome delight that had seized him when he first saw it, and for several moments he stood as if entranced. Then he put it back into the case, and taking the paper he had come for, he locked the safe and room, and went up stairs. He had a light lunch—a snack and a glass of wine, with a cigar afterwards as a relish. Then, after a chat with some friends whom he met by chance, he. strolled back to the office. After transacting a little more business, he had his usual half-hour's afternoon sleep in an arm-chair by the window. It was a luxury he had allowed himself for years, because he invariably felt the fresher after awaking.

At five o'clock he gathered the whole of his papers together, and deposited them in the various drawers and receptacles assigned for them, and taking up the document which he had Drought from the strong room, he went downstairs to return it to its place. The tray being the next one to that containing the Colonel's jewels, his eye unconsciously fell upon the comer where he had placed the great diamond, and his hand containing the paper suddenly hung suspended in space, whilst a mist floated before his eyes and a cold shiver seized him. For a moment he was dazed. Then he passed his right hand before his face, pushing back his hair as though for relief, and once more looked earnestly into the tray. Then a great cry of pain burst from him. The diamond had vanished !

With the frenzy of despair he hurled the document to the ground, and diving both hands into the collection of jewels, searched fiercely for the stone which he had held a few hours before. But his search was futile. It was not there!

The agony depicted on his face was literally awful. His eyes flashed, his cheeks grew as white as death, whilst great drops of perspiration broke out upon his brow. Over and over again

he searched, the tray, in the hope that in his excitement he might have overlooked the diamond. Finding it was not there, he looked about him to see if he had by chance laid it somewhere else. The result was exactly the same. Then he sat down, and pressing his hands against his brow, tried to think. He distinctly remembered putting the diamond back into the safe after having examined it in the morning. On that point he had not the slightest doubt. He could swear to every detail. No one but himself had gone into that inner room during the day. As a matter of fact, it was impossible for anyone else to do so, as he possessed the only key. A giddiness surged over him. 'Ob, my God!' he cried, ' what shall Ido ? What shall I do?' Suddenly he sprang to his feet, and unlocking the door, passed through and locked it behind him. Then pushing open the other door of the great strong room, he rushed through and caught the old commissionaire, who was pacing up and down the corridor, by the shoulders. The man stared in amazement as he saw his chief bearing down upon him with the demeanour of a madman. ' What is the matter, sir ? What is it?' he cried, in astonishment. Albert had him by the shoulders, and the man was swaying beneath his passionote grip like a reed in the wind.

' Tell me,' he cried, fiercely, ' who else beside myself has entered the strong room to-day ?' The man gazed blankly at him as he replied, ' Nobody, sir.' Albert shook him as he cried, ' Nobody, did you say ?' 'Yes, sir. You are the only one who has passed me in this corridor to-day.' Albert staggered back as if he had been struck. His face was livid. His limbs were quivering. ' I tell you — you say I —I —Oh, God!' Then with a shriek of hysterical laughter he fell insensible to the floor. CHAPTER IV.

The commissionaire promptly carried the senseless form of the banker to a seat at the end of the corridor, and, taking a flask from his pocket, succeeded in pouring a few drops between the unconscious man's lips. A few moments later Albert Douglass opened his eyes, and dreamily looked about him. Directly he caught sight of the old soldier every recollection returned, and in his agony he groaned aloud.

' What is the matter, sir ? What has happened ?' ' Nothing, Smithson,' groaned Albert, wearily. 'At least I cannot tell you now. You are quite certain that no one besides myself went into the strong room,to-day ?'

The old soldier saluted. There was something that sounded very truthful in his voice as he answered, ' I am certain, sir. I've been left entirely alone.'

' Thanks, Sinithson. Help me up to my room; I'm feeling shaky after my fall.' With the friendly aid of the commissionaire's arm, he safely reached his office, and at once fell heavily into a chair.

' That will do, Smithson ; and re

member, what ever you do, be sure not to mention anything about the scene that has just occurred, until I give you permission.' ' Certainly, sir. I hope I know my duty. Can I get you anything ?' ' No, thanks.

Left alone in the room, the banker's thoughts were far from pleasant. What to do or how to get out of this catastrophe which had so suddenly fallen upon him were questions which he was powerless to answer. It was quite certain that he had seen the diamond in the morning, and also that it was now missing. It was equally certain—according to the commissionaire—that no one else but himself had been down there during the day. Altogether, it was as ugly a complication as any he had ever heard of; and his brain felt as if it would collapse beneath the strain. He crossed to a side cabinet, and pouring out a stiff glass of brandy, swallowed it at a gulp. Then lighting a cigar, he puffed it furiously, and

Two people were entering the lounge.

paced the room impetuously. * Shall I go to the police at once, or shall I wait until Raven returns?' he muttered. 'By Jove I' he cried, * why haven't I thought of wiring to him ? If there is one man who can get me out of this mess, that man is Raven FerrettT He tore off his coat, changed, seized his hat, and walked rapidly out of the bank. Hailing the first cab he saw, he drove straight to Raven's chambers in the Adelphi. His man received him, and said that Mr Ferrett had not yet returned. «Do you know where he is staying f , , « Yes, sir—The Clarendon. It took Albert but a few minutes to scribble a message, asking his friend to return to London the same night if possible, and to wire immediately. He then gave it to the man to send away at once, and, again free, walked homewards —restless, impatient, and worried beyond description. Never before in his life had he been in such a terrible state as he was at present. His honour depended upon the finding of the stone : the two men, besides himself, who knew of the diamond being there were miles away when the robbery took place, and if the commissionaire could prove that no one else had passed into the strong room during the day, then the only man they could possibly suspect of the robbery was himself, and his blood chilled at the thought. «If this continues much longer,' he muttered fiercely,' I believe I shall go mad.' He paced furiously along, trying to forget his great trouble, When he reached home he buried himself in a book until dinner was ready: and then he dined in company with the horrible nightmare he could not shake off. Half way through the meal, a servant entered with a tele gram. Albert tore it open instantly. It was from Raven Ferrett. 'Last train just gone. Shall leave by early one in the morning. Will reach you about nine o'clock. — Raven.'

The message was a disappointment. He had hoped that his wire would have caught Eaven in time for the last train, so that he could have consulted him at once.

■ He abruptly finished his dinner, and left the house immediately; he found it impossible to keep still; he felt as if he wanted to shriek aloud. Coming to a music-hall, he went inside,

A comic singer was singing a bacchanalian ditty in praise of beer. How he sang Albert hadn't the faintest idea. In fact, he was unaware who it was that occupied the stage; so engrossed was he in his thoughts that comic singer, acrobat, or bicyclist seemed to him but one and the same turn.

An attendant offered him a programme ; lie took it mechanically, giving the girl a shilling, and forgetting about the change. Walking upstairs into the lounge, he dropped into a big chair in the corner, that was half hidden by some palms. A waiter glided. silently to the table, and, in obedience to his request, brought him a brandy and soda. Then Albert puffed savagely at his cigar and tried to forget. Suddenly a woman's rich, musical laugh broke upon his ear, causing him to look up : and he pulled his hat a shade over is eyes, for he recognised

them, but did nolfwant them to recognise him. Two people were entering the lounge —one of them was a tallish. man, about forty-five, with a rather intellectual face", but with untrustworthy eyes; his companion was a magnificent woman about thirty, with a passionate Spanish face, and a temperament to match. The man was his chief cashier, Luker Hirst; the woman was a Miss Sophie Darke, a* lady to whom Albert had been introduced a few months previous, and whom he had since met at various gatherings and balls he had attended. Many people had made the remark that she paid Albert, a great deal of attention, as though she were trying to win him—a remark at -which he laughed, as being absurd and impossible.

But the thing which surprised him most on this occasion was the presence of Luker Hirst at a music-hall: for Hirat was a man who professed

religion and piety, attended church regularly, and was also never tired of denouncing the theatre as the source of everything that was bad. Thus his presence at a music-hall, in company with a beautiful woman of some notoriety, made Albert more perplexed than ever. He wondered if they would notice him; but they passed through the lounge in ignorance of his presence, and left him alone in his corner, trying to solve the mystery of this new development. Suddenly he swore savagely, and, getting up from hits seat, left the building. He wondered idly through the streets, until he came to the house of Mrs Stanhope. For a moment he contemplated entering; but then came the recollection of his trouble, and he felt that, charming woman though Maud was, at such a time even she would irritate him. So he turned away, and hailing a cab. drove to his elub. (To be continued.)