t he had not heard. A little
louder he repeated:

"You've got the diamonds?"

Still no answer. The president began to get uneasy. Could anything be
wrong or was his friend drunk? He had noticed that he had been
drinking heavily--something he had never known Kenneth Traynor do.
With some impatience he said sharply: "What's the matter, Kenneth?
Wake up, old man. I asked you a question. Can't you answer?"

Handsome brought his fist down on the table with a bang that made the
glasses dance.

"D---- it!" he exclaimed angrily. "Can't a man be left alone in his
own house for a few minutes without bothering him with business?"

This outburst was so utterly unexpected that Mr. Parker, taken entirely
by surprise, fell back in his chair and stared at his host in
amazement. Never before had he known his old friend and partner to act
in this strange way. Could anything be amiss? Now he came to think of
it, he had noticed a great change in his associate directly he saw him.
He had seemed to lack his customary cordiality and frankness. He
appeared moody and morose, as if he had on his mind some weighty
responsibility he was unwilling to share. Evidently there was nothing
to be gained by displaying impatience, so, in more conciliatory tones,
he asked:

"That's all right, my boy. If you don't care to talk shop to-night, we
won't. I didn't want to hurry you. I was curious, that's all. I have
scarcely been able to curb my impatience. You understand what it means
to us. Why, the very announcement that we have the diamonds safe here
in New York, will be enough to send the company's stock up twenty
points." Lowering his voice and bending over he added confidentially:
"I don't mind telling you that I've been buying for my own account all
the cheap stock I could put my hands on. As to the stockholders,
they're simply wild with impatience to see the big stones. But we
won't talk any more about it to-night. We'll wait till to-morrow."

Handsome, his face almost livid, leaned over the table. Hoarsely, he
replied:

"It's no use waiting till to-morrow. All that's to be told can be told
now. I haven't got the diamonds!"

For a moment Mr. Parker did not realize what the other man was saying.
Thinking he had not heard right he asked:

"What did you say?"

"I have not got the diamonds!"

The president started from his seat. His face pale as death, his hand
shaking as stricken with palsy, he almost shouted:

"