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DIAMONDS TO SIT ON

‘ Seventy, perhaps seventy-five, thousand.’ ‘ H’m, that means it’s worth a hundred and fifty thousand to-day.’ ‘ What ? As much as that ? ’ Hippolyte asked. ‘ Certainly not less. But you, my friend, you should leave this matter alone. Nothing will come of it.’ ‘ What do you mean ? ’ ' Just what I say. How many chairs were there ? ’ ‘ A dozen. It was a drawing-room suite.’ ' The suite has probably gone up in smoke long ago.’ Hippolyte was so alarmed at this that he jumped up from his seat. matter in hand. The conference is not yet at an end ; you and I must draw up a little agreement together.’ Breathing heavily, Hippolyte expressed his consent with a nod, and Bender began to work out the con­ ditions. ‘ In the event of our realizing the treasure, I, as a participator and technical adviser in this affair, shall receive sixty per cent. You don’t need to worry about paying insurance for me—that doesn’t matter to me.’ ‘ Why, it’s daylight robbery ! ’ said Hippolyte, turn­ ing pale. ‘ But how much did you think of offering me ? ’ ‘ Well, perhaps five per cent or ten per cent at the most. After all, that is fifteen thousand roubles.’ ‘ Are you quite sure you don’t want anything else out of me ? ’ ‘ N-no.’ ‘ Oh ! I thought you might want me to work for nothing and give you the key of my room where I keep my money and tell you how to escape the police.’ ‘ Excuse me,’ said Hippolyte. ‘ I have every reason to believe I can manage this business by myself.’ ‘ Oh ! ’ said Bender, ‘ in that case you must excuse me, for I too have every reason to believe I can manage this business alone.’
 * Gently, gently,’ said Bender. ‘ I’m taking this