nnedy Place. On descending the landlady discovered that
the author of this disturbance was a fashionably dressed gentleman, who,
upon closer inspection, proved to her great surprise to be none other
than the usually demure part proprietor of her fourth floor. As to the
major, he walked in quietly the next day about twelve o'clock, looking
as trim and neat as ever, but minus the balance of the fifty pounds, nor
did he think fit ever to make any allusion to this some what heavy
deficit.

CHAPTER XIX.

NEWS FROM THE URALS.

Major Tobias Clutterbuck had naturally reckoned that the longer he
withheld this trump card of his the greater would be its effect when
played. An obstacle appearing at the last moment produces more
consternation than when a scheme is still in its infancy. It proved,
however, that he had only just levied his blackmail in time, for within
a couple of days of his interview with the head of the firm news arrived
of the great discovery of diamonds among the Ural Mountains. The first
intimation was received through the Central News Agency in the form of
the following telegram:--

"Moscow, _August_ 22.--It is reported from Tobolsk that an important
discovery of diamond fields has been made amongst the spurs of the Ural
Mountains, at a point not very far from that city. They are said to
have been found by an English geologist, who has exhibited many
magnificent gems in proof of his assertion. These stones have been
examined at Tobolsk, and are pronounced to be equal, if not superior, in
quality to any found elsewhere. A company has been already formed for
the purpose of purchasing the land and working the mines."

Some days afterwards there came a Reuter's telegram giving fuller
details. "With regard to the diamond fields near Tobolsk," it said,
"there is every reason to believe that they are of great, and possibly
unsurpassed, wealth. There is no question now as to their authenticity,
since their discoverer proves to be an English gentleman of high
character, and his story is corroborated by villagers from this district
who have dug up stones for themselves. The Government contemplate
buying out the company and taking over the mines, which might be
profitably worked by the forced labour of political prisoners on a
system similar to that adopted in the salt mines of Siberia.
The discovery is universally regarded as one which has materially
increased the internal resources of the country,