-African Mining
Company has been enriched by at least a million. When Kenneth returns
to New York with these wonderful gems in his possession, there is
likely to be a boom in the company's shares."

The old gentleman spoke glibly, even eloquently and it was obvious that
he was sincere and not talking for effect. It was, indeed, largely due
to his distinguished air, and fine oratorical powers that Cornelius
Winthrop Parker had been elected president of the Americo-African
Mining Company, with fine offices in New York and London and
stockholders in every country under the sun. Trained for the ministry
and enjoying a wide acquaintance but a slim income, he had found the
business of stock company promotion more profitable than preaching the
gospel, and when Traynor had first gone to him with the suggestion that
a company be formed to take up the large tract of Transvaal land where
precious stones had actually been found he was not slow to grasp at the
unusual opportunity. He managed cleverly the preliminary publicity
campaign. The company was promptly organized and successfully floated,
the public snapping as eagerly at the shares as a fish at the bait. It
was only logical to infer, therefore, that when Kenneth returned to New
York with actual proof of the company's suddenly acquired wealth in his
possession, the stock would soar above par. With this pleasing
prospect in view, it was not surprising that Mr. Parker wore to-day his
most engaging smile.

Ray looked up in surprise.

"What!" she exclaimed. "Kenneth to bring home the diamonds? This is
the first I heard of it. Helen never told me."

"Hush!" said Mr. Parker, holding up his handy warningly. "Some one
might hear you." Continuing, he said blandly:

"Of course not, my dear lady, of course not. Your sister is far too
discreet and clever a woman to disclose her husband's plans to the
world. There are some things a man must keep secret from
everyone--even from his wife. It would have been the height of folly
to make any such announcement from the housetops. The highways are
full of rogues; even the walls have ears. Some crook might have
learned of our plans and acted accordingly. Kenneth might be followed
to South Africa, shadowed till he has the gems in his possession and
then waylaid and murdered. Remember, he will have stones in his
waistcoat pocket worth a million. Do you suppose desperate men will
stop at anything to secure such a prize?"