"D---- it!" he exclaimed angrily. "Can't a man be left alone in his own house for a few minutes without bothering him with business?" This outburst was so utterly unexpected that Mr. Parker, taken entirely by surprise, fell back in his chair and stared at his host in amazement. Never before had he known his old friend and partner to act in this strange way. Could anything be amiss? Now he came to think of it, he had noticed a great change in his associate directly he saw him. He had seemed to lack his customary cordiality and frankness. He appeared moody and morose, as if he had on his mind some weighty responsibility he was unwilling to share. Evidently there was nothing to be gained by displaying impatience, so, in more conciliatory tones, he asked: "That's all right, my boy. If you don't care to talk shop to-night, we won't. I didn't want to hurry you. I was curious, that's all. I have scarcely been able to curb my impatience. You understand what it means to us. Why, the very announcement that we have the diamonds safe here in New York, will be enough to send the company's stock up twenty points." Lowering his voice and bending over he added confidentially: "I don't mind telling you that I've been buying for my own account all the cheap stock I could put my hands on. As to the stockholders, they're simply wild with impatience to see the big stones. But we won't talk any more about it to-night. We'll wait till to-morrow." Handsome, his face almost livid, leaned over the table. Hoarsely, he replied: "It's no use waiting till to-morrow. All that's to be told can be told now. I haven't got the diamonds!" For a moment Mr. Parker did not realize what the other man was saying. Thinking he had not heard right he asked: "What did you say?" "I have not got the diamonds!" The president started from his seat. His face pale as death, his hand shaking as stricken with palsy, he almost shouted: "You have not got the diamonds! Then where in God's name are they?" "At the bottom of the ocean!" The senior partner dropped back in his chair, white as death. Then this was the outcome of all his hopes, all his planning. Faintly he gasped: "Why didn't you tell me so before?" "I had no opportunity. I didn't want to cable such news. It might have caused a slump in the shares. I could not let you know before. This is the first time I've seen you alone."