The Argosy, December 1905 — page 89: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

NO WAY OUT. The jeweler’s offices were on the fourth floor of an office building. A sign on the door read: JACOB MEYER. LOANS AND DIAMONDS. “Loans, too, eh,’ mused Arthur Ladd. “ Yow’re really a most accommo- dating gentleman, Mr. Jacob Meyer. If you can’t suit me with your stock of dia- monds, I can borrow some money from you. Things seem to be coming my way.” He turned the handle and walked in. A clerk sat on a high stool industriously working at a big ledger. “Mr. Meyer in?” pleasantly. “ Speak a little louder,” requested the clerk, a gray haired old man. “I’m a little deaf.” “Mr. Meyer in?” shouted Arthur. At his words a stout, middle-aged man with a red face and sharp, pene- trating black eyes, opened the green baize door marked “ Private,” which led to a second room. “ You want to see me, eh?” he asked. “ You are Mr. Meyer?” inquired Ar- thur. “Yes, sir. What can I do for you?” “T want to transact a little business.” “Then please step into my private office. We shall be quite alone there. All business here is transacted on an absolutely confidential basis.” Arthur followed him through the ereen baize dvor and sat down in the chair toward which the jeweler politely motioned. “Now you can speak freely, my dear young friend,” said Mr. Meyer in a con- fidence-inspiring whisper. “ What is it? Diamonds or cash? ” é “ Diamonds,” teplied Arthur; “if you have what I want in stock.” As he spoke he took a hurried inven- tory of the private office. A pair of jeweler’s scales stood under a glass case on a table near the window. Against the wall was a big safe. There was no sign of any jewelry in the room. “What diamonds do you wish, my dear friend?” asked Mr. Meyer almost affectionately. “T want to get a ring. Three large asked Arthur 71 stones set perpendicularly. Have you such a setting?” ‘““My dear sir, you are in luck. You should congratulate yourself that you came to me. I have the very ring you describe. I got it in trade only to-day. Three beautiful one carat stones, set just as you describe. Generally I sell the loose stones and have them set to order. This ring, however, is complete. Isn’t it most fortunate? I will make a special price to you, my dear friend, of five hun- dred dollars. You pay cash? Yes?” “Not exactly,’ replied Arthur smoothly. “I happen to be a little pressed for.ready cash just at present. I guess [’ll avail myself of the easy terms you offer in your advertisement.” “Ob, you want credit?” said the jeweler, with just a shade of disappoint- ment in his tone. “ Very well, my dear sir, [ can accommodate you, I think. Now, how much would you be willing | to pay down? ” “ fifty dollars,” answered Arthur. “Fifty dollars!” cried the jeweler. “My dear sir! You must be crazy. Fifty dollars on a five hundred dollar pur- chase! One hundred and fifty dollars is the very lowest I would take for an initial payment. One hundred and fifty dollars down and the balance at tén dollars a week.” “Then the deal is off,” said Arthur moodily. “I haven’t got more than fifty dollars ready cash.” “Then why not take a cheaper ring?” suggested the jeweler readily. “I could let you have a fine single stone for two hundred dollars.” “ No, I’ve got to have the three stones set the way I’ve mentioned. I’m afraid there’s nothing doing, Mr. Meyer.” Arthur rose to go. “ Wait a minute; don’t be in such a hurry. You look like an honest young man, and I should like to do business with you. Where are you employed? ” Arthur told him. “Humoph! An architect’s draftsman, eh? How much salary do you get a week? ” “Thirty dollars.” “Thirty. Very good. How long have you held your present position, young man?” ’ GomiGcbdooks (C@