a grip upon Junes' throat that
his eyes were starting from his head and he could scarce breathe, much
less answer.

"Here loosen him a bit!" said Dick, grasping the big man by the
shoulder. "Do you hear? You'll choke the man and how the blazes can he
answer you when you hold him like that? Now then what's the matter?"

"The diamonds are gone," said the glib Gilderman. "We each have a key
on a chain round our necks. They were safe when we went to bed. The box
was locked then now it is open and the stones are gone."

"He has them, the hound," said Grosman, "we had arranged, schwein-
hund," he yelled again, "it was to have been to-morrow night and you
have stolen them from me; where have you buried them?"

"Come off it," said Dick savagely for Junes was again choking and this
time he twisted Grosman's arm till he freed the under man's throat.

"Now then, Junes what have you got to say?"

"Liar and thief himself," gasped the half-choked Junes, "he has taken
them while I slept. We had planned . . . Oh! let me up, damn you, and
I'll tell them of your plan, you robbing, thieving swine, that can't
play straight even with your pal! Let me up, you German hog: let me get
a holt on you, and I'll show you. Let me up!"

"Let him up," said Dick, filled with keen enjoyment at seeing these two
unprincipled scoundrels mauling each other, and only regretting the
fact that the equally rascally onlookers did not take a hand; "let him
up, man; give him fair play, and let's hear all about it."

And aided by the strong arm of the still soapy professor, he hauled the
furious Grosman off his prey.

And now comedy changed instantly to tragedy, for the panting Junes,
springing to his feet, drew his revolver and fired point-blank at his
late assailant. Grosman spun half round, his mouth opened in a ghastly
grin, and making two staggering steps, he fell to the ground, whilst
Junes, profiting by the confusion, sprang to his horse and vaulted into
the saddle.

"Hands up," he shouted, covering the group with his revolver. "I shoot
the first man who moves. Grosman, you dog, where are the stones?"

The dying man partly raised himself, and fixed an awful gaze upon his
murderer. "Murderer and thief!" he gasped, "you have them yourself. I
never woke till Sydney shook me!"

"Hell! . . ." said Junes, "I believe you now! There's more roguery here
than even I knew of! Hark you, Gilderman, and you other sharks and keep
your hands up. Professor, an