The Orange-Yellow Diamond by J. S. (Joseph Smith) Fletcher
page 52 of 292 (17%)
page 52 of 292 (17%)
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book is a very valuable one--you see," he went on, with a careless wave of
his hand towards his book-shelves. "I'm something of a collector of rare books. I bought this particular book yesterday afternoon, at a well-known dealer's in High Holborn. Soon after buying it, I got into a Cricklewood omnibus, which I left at Chapel Street--at the corner of Praed Street, as a matter of fact: I wished to make a call at the Great Western Hotel. It was not till I made that call that I found I'd left the book in the 'bus-- I was thinking hard about a business matter--I'd placed the book in a corner behind me--and, of course, I'd forgotten it, valuable though it is. And so, later on, after telephoning to the omnibus people, who'd heard nothing, I sent that advertisement round to all the morning papers. I'm very glad to hear of it--and I shall be pleased to reward you," he concluded, turning to Melky. "Handsomely!--as I promised." But Melky made no sign of gratitude or pleasure. He was eyeing the rich man before him in inquisitive fashion. "Mister!" he said suddenly. "I'd like to ask you a question." Levendale frowned a little. "Well?" he asked brusquely. "What is it?" "This here," replied Melky. "Was that there book wrapped up? Was it brown- papered, now, when you left it?" It seemed to Lauriston that Levendale was somewhat taken aback. But if he was, it was only for a second: his answer, then, came promptly enough. "No, it was not," he said. "I carried it away from the shop where I bought |
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