grocery store, and I noticed this lad. That was before I heard
you yelling, and saw you coming, and then I joined in the chase.
I guess the man you were after got away, Track."

"He did," asserted Tom. "He came back here, a little while ago,
and he ran away just now, as he heard you coming."

"Where did he go?" asked the jeweler, eagerly.

"I don't know," answered Tom. "Only you've got the wrong lad
here."

"Well, perhaps I have," admitted the diamond merchant. "You can
go, youngster, but next time, don't run if you're not guilty."

"I thought there was a fire," repeated the lad, as he hurriedly
slipped through the crowd in the store, and disappeared down the
dark street.

"Well, I guess the excitement's all over, and, anyhow, you
weren't robbed, Track," said a stout man, as he left the store.
The others soon followed, and Tom and the jeweler were once more
alone in the shop.

"Can you tell me something about this man, Tom?" asked Mr.
Track, eagerly. "So he really makes diamonds. Who is he?"

"I'd rather not tell--just now," replied the young inventor. "I
don't take much stock in him, myself. I think he's visionary. He
may think he has made diamonds, and he may have made some stones