"Sardius — Tourmaline — Aragonite — Rhodonite * Porphyry — Obsidian
— Nugget Gold — Diaspore * Novaculite * Yu * Nugget Silver — Amber —
Matrix Turquoise — Elaeolite * Ivory — Sardonyx * Moonstone — Iceland
Spar — Kalpa Zircon — Eye Agate * Celonite — Lapis — Iolite —
Nephrite — Chalcedony — Hydrolite * Hegolite — Amethyst — Selenite *
Fire Opal — Labradorite — Garnet * Jade — Emerald — Wood Opal —
Essonite — Lazuli * Epidote — Ruby — Onyx — Sapphire — Indicolite
— Topaz — Euclase * Indian Diamond * Star Sapphire — African Diamond
— Iceland Spar — Lapis Crucifer * Abalone — Turkish Turquoise * Old
Mine Stone — Natrolite — Cats Eye — Electrum * * * 1/5 a a."
That afternoon young Darragh located Sard's office and presented himself as a customer. The weasel-faced clerk behind the wicket laid a pistol handy and informed Darragh that Sard was away on a business trip.
Darragh looked cautiously around the small office: "Can anybody hear us?"
"Nobody. Why?"
"I have important news concerning Jose Quintana," whispered Darragh;
"Where is Sard?"
"Why, he had a letter from Quintana this very morning," replied the clerk in a low, uneasy voice. "Mr. Sard left for Albany on the one o'clock train. Is there any trouble?"
"Plenty," replied Darragh coolly; "do you know Quintana?"
"No. But Mr. Sard expects him here any day now."
Darragh leaned closer against the grille: "Listen very carefully; if a man comes here who calls himself Jose Quintana, turn him over to the police until Mr. Sard returns. No matter what he tells you, turn him over to the police. Do you understand?"
"Who are you?" demanded the worried clerk. "Are you one of Quintana's people?"