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THE GREAT GREEN DIAMOND; OR, THIEF AGAINST THIEF
THE GREAT GREEN DIAMOND; OR, THIEF AGAINST THIEF
BY INSPECTOR STARK AUTHOR OF “A Deed of Darkness,” “The Mafia’s Victim,” “The Telegraph Clew,” “The Shadow of an Assassin,” “A Kentucky Moonshiner,” etc. NEW YORK STREET & SMITH, Publishers 79-89 Seventh Avenue Copyright, 1906 By STREET & SMITH The Great Green Diamond THE GREAT GREEN DIAMOND...
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CHAPTER I. HENRY STOLBURST’S FEARS.
CHAPTER I. HENRY STOLBURST’S FEARS.
Up the dingy flights of stairs in an old-fashioned down-town office building, Mr. Henry Stolburst mounted with a vigor and energy that belied the signs of age in his visage. Tall, spare, handsome, with remarkably bright and keen eyes, he yet looked older than his thirty-five years. This appearance of age was due to his heavily lined face and his white hair. But close observation would have revealed the fact that the lines on his face were those of care and worry, rather than of age, and the colo
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CHAPTER II. PRINCESS ZULIMA.
CHAPTER II. PRINCESS ZULIMA.
Seated in the neat and cozy parlor of an up-town flat was a very dark-skinned young woman and her maid. The former was almost black, but her features were oval, her lips small, and her hair straight and long. The maid was a French girl and rather pretty. The pair were startled by a loud rap at the door. “Open the door, Marie.” The French girl obeyed. A small man with dark skin and still darker eyes entered. His eyes were of extraordinary size, and for all that they had a piercing expression. “Yo
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CHAPTER III. STOLBURST’S VISITOR.
CHAPTER III. STOLBURST’S VISITOR.
Burt Cromwell had a good deal of hesitation about taking charge of Stolburst’s affair. He bluntly asked the lecturer if he could furnish references. This caused the latter displeasure. Burt cared nothing for that. “Do you know the firm of Fremont & Cole?” Stolburst asked. “The bankers?” “Yes.” “I am well acquainted there, having done business for the firm.” “I refer you to them,” said Stolburst, rather stiffly. “I’ll see them in the morning.” “It seems to me,” said the explorer, “that yo
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CHAPTER IV. MIKE QUICK’S DIVE.
CHAPTER IV. MIKE QUICK’S DIVE.
After his new client departed, Burt entered an inner office, where was seated a rosy-cheeked young fellow of about one-and-twenty. This was Frank Hare, who was Burt’s assistant. “Frank,” said Burt, “I’ve got one of the queerest cases to work up.” Then he related Stolburst’s story to his youthful assistant. “I don’t see anything strikingly queer about the matter,” said Hare, when the other finished. “It’s a clear case of simple theft.” “You idiot,” smiled Burt, “do you think this Stolburst told m
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CHAPTER V. ENOCH COOK AND HIS PAL.
CHAPTER V. ENOCH COOK AND HIS PAL.
The moment Quick appeared upon the scene Cook made a successful dash for liberty, Burt did not make a move to intercept him. Mike had the drop on him, and Burt believed the rascal would shoot if he grappled with Cook. “Ain’t you a nice member of society?” remarked Quick. “Put up that gun.” “You just hold your horses; I want to give Enoch a good start,” said Mike. “You gave me your word of honor you would not attempt to arrest the man.” “What is it to you whether Cook is arrested or not?” “A good
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CHAPTER VI. AJEEB’S NEW ALLY.
CHAPTER VI. AJEEB’S NEW ALLY.
“Zulima,” said the giant Ashah, “it is well for you that you remain true to your faith.” “Why?” “Sooner than have you become a heretic, Ajeeb would have me spoil that beautiful voice of yours. That would have been very hard on me, princess, for I always liked you; still, I should have obeyed my master, even unto sacrificing my own child.” “What do you mean by spoiling my voice?” the girl asked. “Without the tongue, we could not speak, much less sing.” “True, Ashah.” “The good Ajeeb would have ha
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CHAPTER VII. TRAPPED.
CHAPTER VII. TRAPPED.
Henry Stolburst was thoroughly frightened at the dangers which seemed to environ him. He had put great faith in Zulima’s affection for himself. Now he found himself with but one friend in New York. The latter was a girl named Lizzie Nightingale, and a distant relation. She was an orphan, and in good circumstances. On the evening of Zulima’s visit, the explorer was about to start out to call on this young lady, when a visitor was announced. “William Barry,” he said; “why, I never heard that name
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CHAPTER VIII. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.
CHAPTER VIII. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING.
We left Enoch Cook and Dick Kidd in the latter’s room. “So,” said Cook, “that nigger high priest is in New York?” “Haven’t I just said so?” “You can bet I wouldn’t want to be in Stolburst’s shoes.” “Why not?” “Ajeeb will kill him for taking the diamond,” said Enoch. “Suppose Stolburst tells the pagan we have the stone?” “Then I guess we’ll want to keep our weather eye skinned.” “You say you’ll see that party about buying the jewel to-night?” “Yes.” “I’ll meet you at Mike Quick’s at ten,” said Ki
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CHAPTER IX. A TERRIBLE SURPRISE.
CHAPTER IX. A TERRIBLE SURPRISE.
“Curse you!” exclaimed Enoch; “do you mean to strangle me?” “Where is he?” asked the outraged husband. Now Cook succeeded in shaking himself free of the other’s grasp. “Who the deuce are you, anyway?” A bitter smile passed over the Frenchman’s features. “You know Pierre Jacquet?” he said. “Who do you take me to be?” “Monsieur Cook.” Enoch hesitated. “Yes,” he finally said; “that is my name: but I have no recollection of ever having seen you before.” “So,” said the other, “you have already forgot
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CHAPTER X. ZULIMA AND THE DETECTIVE.
CHAPTER X. ZULIMA AND THE DETECTIVE.
On the morning following the capture of Henry Stolburst, Burt visited the latter’s hotel. The explorer’s valet told him his master had left the hotel the evening before, promising to return in a few hours. “Do you know where he went?” inquired the detective. “He did not say,” replied the valet, whose name was Jacob Bude. “Have you no idea?” “I know that he sometimes visits a foreign lady up-town.” “A foreign lady?” “Yes; master says she was a princess in her own country.” “Have you ever seen her
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CHAPTER XI. AJEEB SEES BURT.
CHAPTER XI. AJEEB SEES BURT.
“You had better answer my question,” said the detective, with a pleasant smile. Zulima hesitated. “This Ajeeb is a high priest, and does not shed human blood,” she said finally. Burt had his doubts on the subject, but did not give them expression. “He came to this country to recover a diamond that had once formed the eye of an idol,” remarked Burt. The Abyssinian beauty looked hard at her visitor. “Mr. Stolburst has confessed to you, I see,” she said. “He had nothing to confess.” “You are not so
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CHAPTER XII. COOK AND KIDD.
CHAPTER XII. COOK AND KIDD.
“Well,” said Dick Kidd, after he and his pal had been ejected from Monte Murphy’s, “ain’t you a nice citizen?” Kidd was boiling over with anger. Small wonder. The equivalent of a fortune had just passed from his possession. The great green diamond was his no longer. “What’s the matter with you?” growled Enoch Cook. “You’ve treated me to a jolly time, but I’m not blind.” “Blind?” “Yes; that’s what I said.” “I don’t understand what you mean,” remarked Enoch. “Oh, no, of course not, you poor, bloom
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CHAPTER XIII. MIKE QUICK’S MISSION.
CHAPTER XIII. MIKE QUICK’S MISSION.
Bidding Cook good night, Quick left his saloon. His objective point was Monte Murphy’s, in Elizabeth Street. Mike had proceeded on his journey as far as Broadway, when he encountered Joe Snell. The meeting was accidental. Snell seemed to be considerably under the influence of liquor, and his first act was to invite Quick to go and have a drink with him. Mike gladly accepted the invitation. His business with Murphy could wait. Late as the hour was, the pair found a saloon open. Snell seemed to be
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CHAPTER XIV. BURT KNOCKED OUT.
CHAPTER XIV. BURT KNOCKED OUT.
After being stabbed by Enoch Cook, poor Pierre Jacquet lay motionless upon the pavement. He was found there by the policeman on that beat, who had him conveyed to the Oak Street station. From there Pierre was taken to one of the public hospitals. There he related the circumstances attending the stabbing. Burt saw an account of the affair in the newspapers, and visited the hospital. Monsieur Jacquet welcomed his visitor upon learning the latter was a detective. The Frenchman’s wound was deep and
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CHAPTER XV. AJEEB’S GRIM HUMOR.
CHAPTER XV. AJEEB’S GRIM HUMOR.
Billy Barry called upon his friend Ajeeb the afternoon Burt was laid out at Quick’s, and it was on the detective the conversation of the two former hinged. Barry and the high priest took possession of the latter’s library. It was Billy’s first visit since he had aided in entrapping Stolburst. “Well, old man,” said the visitor, “how does your prisoner come on?” “He has met with an accident.” “An accident?” repeated Billy. “Yes,” replied Ajeeb grimly, “he has lost one of his ears.” Barry looked at
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CHAPTER XVI. A WISE BARTENDER.
CHAPTER XVI. A WISE BARTENDER.
The blow that felled Burt Cromwell was delivered by Quick’s bartender. “Well done, Andy!” cried Mike. And then he hastily left. Andy had slipped behind the detective, unperceived by the latter. He threw the sand-bag carelessly on the floor, and got a pitcher of ice-water. Then he set about reviving the unconscious officer. After a little while, Burt Cromwell opened his eyes. Andy helped him into a chair, and produced a bottle of brandy and a glass. “Are you feeling any better, sir?” The bartende
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CHAPTER XVII. AT MONTE MURPHY’S.
CHAPTER XVII. AT MONTE MURPHY’S.
A crowd gathered around the “fence,” one member of which—a laborer returning from work—had a crowbar. Burt seized the iron bar. “Burt,” said Cook, “don’t do anything rash, I beg of you!” Burt looked at the fellow in surprise. “What do you care whether I get shot?” he asked. “I do care; and I am sure that fellow means to shoot.” Two policemen came running up, and, at sight of them, the strange young man withdrew from the window. Burt explained to the police who he was, and stated it was necessary
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CHAPTER XVIII. MURPHY’S DEATH.
CHAPTER XVIII. MURPHY’S DEATH.
Both men listened intently. The groan was repeated. Enoch tore aside the carpet. A trap was disclosed, and he opened it. Burt lighted a match, and looked into the opening. He saw a flight of stairs. “I’ll go down,” said Enoch; and he did so. The stairs were enclosed on all four sides. At the bottom of the shaft Cook found Monte Murphy. The old fence was all but unconscious. Enoch picked him up in his arms and began the ascent, which he found laborious, the stairway being very steep. When Cook ar
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CHAPTER XIX. BURT’S NEW ALLY.
CHAPTER XIX. BURT’S NEW ALLY.
“Why did you remain behind Bull Blair?” Burt addressed his prisoner. “I wanted to pack up some of my things that are here. I happened to stretch myself on a lounge up-stairs, and fell asleep, or I would have left here hours ago.” “You and Blair are partly responsible for Murphy’s death.” “Don’t say that.” Tony trembled like an aspen. “It is the truth; the man might have lived had he not been thrown down the shaft into the cellar,” said Burt. “I had nothing to do with it. I begged Bull to allow h
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CHAPTER XX. IN AJEEB’S CLUTCHES.
CHAPTER XX. IN AJEEB’S CLUTCHES.
“Release me!” exclaimed Cook, trembling with fright. “Oh, no.” Enoch drew his revolver, only to have it snatched from his grasp. “What do you mean?” Ashah’s hand had closed on Cook’s coat collar. The latter tried to break away, but did not succeed. “I do not mean to harm you,” remarked the Abyssinian. At this Enoch ceased to struggle. “Then why do you not release me?” “I would have a few words with you first,” replied Ashah. The Abyssinian spoke in easy tones, but that did not set Cook at ease.
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CHAPTER XXI. FRANK HARE’S MISSION.
CHAPTER XXI. FRANK HARE’S MISSION.
After leaving Cook, the detective went to his office. There he met his assistant, Frank Hare, whom he had not seen in several days. “Well, old man,” said the latter, “did you find Enoch Cook at Mike Quick’s?” “Yes.” “Learn anything from him?” “Not much; I want to find Mike Quick now,” said Burt. “What’s he been doing?” “He murdered Monte Murphy.” “The deuce!” exclaimed Hare. “How did that come about?” Burt told him. “Burt,” said Frank, “that beastly diamond seems unlucky.” “I don’t doubt but it
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CHAPTER XXII. DETH KILLED BY ENOCH.
CHAPTER XXII. DETH KILLED BY ENOCH.
“Barry,” said Ajeeb, after Enoch Cook was carried from the parlor, “do you believe that fellow?” “Why not?” “I think he is a lying rascal.” “It seems to me,” remarked Billy, “that you are suspicious of every one with whom you come in contact.” “I’ve never been suspicious of you,” said Ajeeb snappishly. “Then I am a bright and shining exception to your general rule.” “It does not seem probable Kidd and Cook would allow themselves to be robbed.” “Enoch told you that the others had the drop on him
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CHAPTER XXIII. THE BIRD FLOWN.
CHAPTER XXIII. THE BIRD FLOWN.
When Burt visited his office the morning after the occurrence at Ajeeb’s, he found Enoch Cook awaiting his coming. Burt had spent nearly the whole of the night previous in looking for Mike Quick without succeeding in finding him. “Well,” he said, “you look rather excited, Enoch.” “I ought to be excited.” “Why?” “I may say that I came near croaking,” said Cook. “How?” “Mister Ajeeb would have cooked my little goose if I did not leave his neighborhood when I did,” replied Enoch. “You talk in riddl
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CHAPTER XXIV. HARE’S DISGUISE PENETRATED.
CHAPTER XXIV. HARE’S DISGUISE PENETRATED.
Hare would have given anything if Burt was present when Mike Quick entered Shaw’s. He was wise enough to recognize the fact that he would have no chance to take the murderer unaided from the den. There were at least twenty desperadoes in the place and every man of them would, if called upon, help Quick resist the detective. “Don’t you see your friend?” asked Bull Blair, nodding toward Mike. “Who do you mean?” “The bloke who is after coming in.” “I don’t know him.” Blair looked at his companion i
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CHAPTER XXV. ZULIMA BREAKS DOWN.
CHAPTER XXV. ZULIMA BREAKS DOWN.
Burt Cromwell looked upon the beautiful Abyssinian in disgust when she spoke of her uncle intending to murder Henry Stolburst. “I have heard,” he said, “that savages were proverbially grateful.” “I am not a savage.” “You are worse.” “Save your taunts; they have no effect upon me.” “Has your uncle any other residence than this?” asked Burt Cromwell. “Yes.” “Where?” “Near Gondar, Abyssinia.” “You are quite humorous,” remarked the detective. “Ajeeb has a worthy relative in you.” “I suppose by this
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CHAPTER XXVI. BULL BLAIR’S ESCAPE.
CHAPTER XXVI. BULL BLAIR’S ESCAPE.
Bull Blair’s attack was so sudden and unexpected that Frank Hare found himself stretched on the floor before he well knew what had happened. “Curse you, you shall never leave this room alive.” Blair produced an ugly-looking knife. “You thought you had me nice,” he added; “and so you did at first.” The brute fell on one knee. At that moment he found himself covered by the detective’s revolver. “Drop that knife or I will send you to the devil, your master.” Bull arose hastily to his feet. Hare did
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CHAPTER XXVII. BILLY BARRY, OF LONDON.
CHAPTER XXVII. BILLY BARRY, OF LONDON.
Before Barry could draw his revolver he was downed by a blow from the detective’s fist. Before the man could rise Burt was upon him. Burt disarmed the fellow, and then allowed him to get up. “My friend,” said the detective, “you see you are not so smart as you think.” A bump arose on Barry’s forehead where he had been struck. The English crook fairly boiled over with wrath. “You shall pay dearly for that blow,” he said. Burt laughed. “I am quite accustomed to being threatened,” he remarked. “I n
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CHAPTER XXVIII. MIKE QUICK GIVEN A SHOCK.
CHAPTER XXVIII. MIKE QUICK GIVEN A SHOCK.
Frank Hare was wrong in the opinion that Blair would not seek an interview with Quick. The morning after his escape from the young detective, Bull went around to Mike’s dive. The bartender was quite well acquainted with his visitor. “Where is Mike?” The bartender laughed. “The boss has gone down South on a hunting trip,” he replied. “You don’t sa-ay!” “Yes; been gone over a week now.” “Then it is strange I should be talking with him yesterday.” “I’m only giving you what he told me when he went a
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CHAPTER XXIX. PIERRE JACQUET’S REVENGE.
CHAPTER XXIX. PIERRE JACQUET’S REVENGE.
At sight of the detective Quick sprang to his feet. Not until then did he see that Burt Cromwell had a cocked revolver in his hand. “Sit down!” Mike obeyed mechanically. When Enoch Cook told the detective he had located Bull Blair at the dive, Frank Hare wanted to go there. Burt Cromwell insisted upon taking the matter in his own hands. Of course he prevailed. Burt Cromwell had not expected to find Quick at the dive. The row heard by the latter occurred between Elford and the detective. Burt Cro
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CHAPTER XXX. THE PRINCESS VISITS STOLBURST.
CHAPTER XXX. THE PRINCESS VISITS STOLBURST.
The day after her interview with the detective Zulima had a caller in the person of Ashah. The giant came in a coach and told the princess her uncle wanted to see her. As he knew, the beautiful girl regarded Ajeeb’s commands as imperative. She entered the coach with Ashah and they were driven very far up-town. Ajeeb had taken possession of a somber-looking building that stood alone by itself. During the journey the ill-assorted couple never exchanged a word. Upon arriving at their destination th
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CHAPTER XXXI. CONCLUSION.
CHAPTER XXXI. CONCLUSION.
Zulima told the detective where her uncle was domiciled. Then, womanlike, she burst into a flood of tears. Bitterly did she regret ever having become acquainted with the explorer. Burt found Frank in the hallway and told him of his discovery. “Have you got Bull Blair?” asked Hare. “No.” “Then you look after the Abyssinians and I’ll have another try at cooking his mutton.” “Don’t you want to come with me?” remarked Burt. “Do you want me?” “Not exactly.” “Then I will look Bull up if I can. He won’
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