FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78   79   80   81   82   83   84  
85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   >>   >|  
ffect that "Tom Rider, the detective, and a diamond expert, would arrive on an early train of that day." They did so, and presented themselves at Ezra Cohen's establishment soon after the store was opened for business that morning. The merchant was already there, awaiting them, and received the two gentlemen in his private office, where they held a confidential conversation regarding the matter in hand. The expert was quite confident, after listening to Mr. Cohen's description of the diamonds, that they would prove to be the ones they were seeking, but the detective was not quite so hopeful; he had been disappointed so many times of late that he looked upon the dark side, while he was somewhat skeptical about the supposed miner making his appearance again. About nine o'clock, however, the man swaggered into the store, an enormous quid of tobacco inside his cheek. "_He_ has never been in Australia," said Detective Rider, in a low tone, but with sudden energy, as he and his companion watched him approach the counter, where Mr. Cohen was quietly examining a case of watches. "Wall," he remarked, in his broad, drawling tone, "got yer expert on hand this mornin'? I'd like to close up this 'ere business before I go up to Brownsville." "Yes, I think I can settle about the diamonds to-day," Mr. Cohen politely remarked. "James," to a clerk, "please ask Mr. Knowlton to step this way." James disappeared, and presently an elderly gentleman in spectacles issued from the private office. "Mr. Knowlton," said the merchant, "this is the man who wished to dispose of some diamonds. Will you examine them, and give your opinion of their value?" The miner darted a quick, searching look at the new-comer; but apparently the man was intent only upon the business in hand. Drawing forth his leather pouch, the miner untied it and emptied its contents upon the square of black velvet which had been laid upon the show-case to receive them. Mr. Knowlton examined each stone with careful scrutiny through a powerful glass, never once speaking until he had looked the collection through. "They are quite valuable," he remarked, as he laid the last one down. "These," indicating the two large ones, "are especially so; you have been very fortunate, sir, to make such a collection, for there is not one poor one in the lot." The miner gave a slight start at this observation, and the color deepened on his face; but he replied, with
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78   79   80   81   82   83   84  
85   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

diamonds

 

business

 
remarked
 

expert

 

Knowlton

 

collection

 

looked

 

merchant

 

private

 
office

detective

 
darted
 
apparently
 
intent
 
searching
 

examine

 

dispose

 

spectacles

 

wished

 

issued


Drawing

 

gentleman

 

disappeared

 

elderly

 

presently

 

opinion

 

examined

 

indicating

 
replied
 

valuable


observation

 

fortunate

 

speaking

 

contents

 
square
 
velvet
 

emptied

 
leather
 
untied
 

deepened


careful
 
scrutiny
 

powerful

 

receive

 

slight

 

companion

 

seeking

 

hopeful

 

disappointed

 

matter