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m L V /' 11,1 WTr , ;,v ^ shF;***} i'-'V THE WEEKLY LEDGER: GAFFNEY, S. C., JANUARY 30, 1896. ■ -A» ri^- - • ^0: t ■ cc- \,./ «-w : c .-. r . A OEKTLKMAN 7.: . , \s < CRIME A.M) r .. “Jack Baruc .a . . . bet.” “That was a c' ' c. '’ plied tho Pal Mr. Barnes a Jic' per ate effeit t-; 1 press as it ro’Lii c. ‘ ! Wouldn’t advise ; s . trains often. ” “Thank yo.i for y foryonr assis;:: you. Show me to ■ 1. dead, I am r.o ‘Upper 10. i :• • all ’ dy for you ; W jen Mr. Bat • ' •' ' no onewas in: < . o passengers, tl: ■ utes later he ’ little bags of i atop C I the; os he. ■ • make hem set \ . told tho porter i: . . ■ . this was so true t;.r. fallen i loop (pile:..;- ' . i seemed specially ae.: possible. Mr. Barnes—Ja 1: Bar ■ himself to tho p.. and counted ota- i ' . ■ i . New’ York. wit:- vato agent;.’ e- . i. had just conro.' .1 • a most sa largo robbery rad i . :• » . . . i New York, and : -i- . d . . 'rot: gest nature .. ! ; • d'» .*• tiou of a ym i . ately been art • ’.■ : '■ t: press of tin'e: ami convicting the :. :. (••...■ • ,t • i i« h time Mr. Bunn metropolis. T\v; l.e ' Ik • • i ' him those who toast had been n ' to i.,. suspect wa - inn criminal hud l: . n keenwitted Jack ikr u'ii - ter, he had ree. .. . •; :ho 1:.’ amounting to : '! Ho had had a long r.his man, whom ho 1 d sh: to city and v,d ac tuated to this course b a all ... «' .v in which lie had ] l h faith his man fast in • 1 •••» ]:.. n !.••'. .:; on his way to 1 for i i papers. As he It td ; '•!. lie v, • .1, yet despite h d t..' thoughts per.- : n ; intricate detail... .mu- . .: had at last led him t .i n cf the mystery. _is ! • h.y ... hV ir ■ ■■ • berth awake tin. o v ■ i, . .! Sh ears: “If I knew tha wa; aft er me, I should ? . i r. “ This prbmi : . ■ ; 1 ! of an entert:'.■ as 1 could not sleep ?.! . ; ] : d t’> listen. Eatensiv. e as u ivo had made : philosophic ay , • . ' eavesdrop;ling. r : . . ! re tracted him w: s 1 •, h-v. v- e keen. Ho located .. . e •• ••• i Ibe section next id] d <;1‘ i;;.-:, l-.o. :. A.;c- ond voice re'ii i i: “I have no d But I wouldn't. that you would. • <...•• io th ■ ability of ;ho me-. ;; <i , dve. i should actually euj . being hou sded by one of them, it v.n ni 1 be sou •. !t v lean- tare, and, I think mt... y, t.iei.n h.m. ” Tho last spe:;!;'. r p:-- d t voice which was pin-. .;!. and ho: . • ul.-.ted distinctly, Hint... 1 ' • v :i .red above a lor.d wli 1 ; le..' cau tiously raised I rd, : his pillows so ih d r ear v.t i r.e,li the partition. • --ly tli; ; v.;» men next to him had t.-l.en td v ,:-.lo sec tion, and tho ut:;.e.r h- had 1/ n al lowed to reiuiidi elosed. M. 1’,: at .-; now found that Ite could re - ly iolltAV the conversation, which com be. d thus: “But see h r that Ba ked this Petting! 11 d ■ r :«tnl nigh- tebil ho had trajiped him .lost a:; t!:-- follow supposed him. df safe ho war an . ted. Yon must admit that was ci: .r r work. ” “Oh, yes, clover enough in its way, but there was nollr.ng jpeciau..- avtisttc about it. Not that tho dotec: ve was to blame. It was iho fault of the criminal. There was no <•’ oteo for tho artistic. ” Yet Mr Barms had mod that very ad- “I’ll r b y -a a dissertation on crime, i I a ord nary business it is brains a :.. r u; ;■ dm. The professional man con- iiO *... i ins follows, and if he would in no i.. a towavd fortune ho must -now Ti lie eommercial man h ovhor tradesmen all as r • . ( if. So it goes from the ti-e l .rk niith, from the .n p ainter. It is brains ; si h r.ins. and we get the -.1 thought as the result, net of honest living pro- h : ' as this to do with the crimi- ii: aent. Let the philosopher ■a in liis own way. With the r :! it ir din’orent. He is matched .. superior. Those in his own so o : contend with him. They e partners, bis ‘pals,’as a ii. I i is only contention, there- ii the detectives who repre- iy and tho law. No man, I -, a criminal from choice, and h o criminal’s necessity which t . ;. • detection. ’’ :: all criminals should bo i-imincls should bo caught. tie. are n- t is a strong argument . ar d teat ivo, for every crim- we i -ay say, is actuated by neces- i t'aorein lies tho possibility of For example,yon may claim • c: i burglar lays his plans in . d '.hat, tho crime being pre- .• . i:o should be able to make - ! moanangeineuts that he \ 1 avi-ig telltale marks be- *’• ■, however, is rarely the in- reason—the unexpected • t always happens, and for net prepared. In a moment r.son ahead of him, and his . nway his caution, so that, as n, he doc- a a\o a clew be- 1! 1 y/- jectivo to !: df i i commenting upon r his conduct c f this ca.-o. The man con- i l ■ tinned: "Tki i < ■ inn itself was imirti:-- \ G tic. Petting ill bnngiod, Bai 'cs wa- shrewd ema; ah to detect tho haw, and if 1 -a.'. With his exp erieuec and skill in such !■ : cases the end was inevitable.” 1 ' ( “It men:. *n mo either that you hav not read 11m fu!i aceouid of tho cu e or else you do not aiipreciiito the work of the detectiv,- W.d\, all the clew he had was a but ton. “ “All! Only a button, lint sue!', a but ton I That .nwI vo 1 say ilia! tin crimi nal was inan e. Lm should n-. t have lost that but i u. ’ “It was un accident, I suppose, and one again t which h - could not hav guarded, it wa: one i f the < .ig> ueiea of bis crime. ” “Exactly and it us the. .: little ac cideuts, uIv.n, nnfore -en, though si ways ooonrriug, which hang so many, and jail u many, and give < ur oete ives such an e.i y road to fame Tin t .s the gisi oi tiio wl. ih m liter, it i an unequal gamu tho I i\ i , a the eriuunal and tin di-tt nvc “ “1 dun i culcii what yoa mu ** H \ ...1. . v n you say tho unexpected you admit the possibility for car v.hd-li could not have been mid the; fore could not have ! . . ” . . . > t »i. . ^ 11. t. ir:.;-as tho case stands. But - n - ay which actuates our ; 1 make of him simply a ■ ..n pmvT.iug crime as an art! i l e, we get an individual ; are for more accidents, \ would know how best to acies whicli occur during .; of his erimo. For exam- yoi: will pardon tho conceit, nipt a crime I should be sr i d; i -etiun. ” think that from your inex- a criminal you would be run — !!, about as quickly as this . ■ il. This was his first , ’ .1: -. i 1 J T V. 1 y in lie willing to make a ii eij! This last remark ' ! fir. Barnes, who instant- d the iiie.miug, which, how- ; c. c.n.ed the other listener. - y rly for the reply. u : grasp the idea. Make a r. . what;’’ i tin.. were 1 to commit a t id aM he captured about as ■ . i’eitiugill. If you wish, I tlnit ! can eor.iu it a crime as mr.e’i talked of as his, 11 not l v cunt tired, or rather , convicted. 1 would not bet r for, as wo have seen in :y i , tho innix -nt are some- ated. h iiereforo I stipulate ,, >» ■ ' dei tend you to seriously of- it a ci inio merely to decide •a a Uiiund mo!” ■ i imps than Bettiugill has - friends. But don’t be i hall assume all responsibil- , :i member it is not crime . . . led upon in this century, i. 1 wager with yon against v. h it do you say? Shall it i want a little excitement!” t sliall have it. At least you .i i :.t ite.nient of paying tho I m s i aullously raised his head. d< liars to me, for, though 1 in not really intending to : e iiiiaal in either event, 1 may iit by your offer. ” do you mean by ‘in either ., if yon do not commit a crime, . 1 if you do i am sure that bo caught. Then, however . iM icgret your disgrace. I I hould cut you dead and i icy.” a iiecupl the wager?” i,. V Vow ft r tho conditions. I am m mill in which to plan and i ••t ime, and one your for a- uuma tnodutectiveu. That is. if lam cu.m free at the end of one year and can prove to you that I committed a crime within the stipulated period, I win the wager. If I am in jail awaiting'trial, tho bet cannot be settled until the law has bad its way and I nin cither proved inno cent or guilty. Is that satisfactory?” “Perfectly. But what class of crime will you commit?” “My friend, yon are inquisitive. The wager is on, and my boasted caution must begin. Therefore I must not tell you anything of tho nature of my in tended crime. ” “Why, do you suppose for an instant that I would betray you?” “Well, yes, that idea does occur to me. Listen. As I said before, tbe ne cessities of tbe criminal prove his Nem esis. The necessities involve the object of the crime. That is always a good starting point in following np a mysteri ous case. The more unusual the object tbe better, since it will fit fewer people. Plunder is the commonest and there fore the least promising to trace from. Revenge is common also, but better, be cause the special revenge connected with tbe deed must lead to the special indi vidual most likely to execute such re venge. In this instance—I mean my ow’d case—the object of the crime is so unique that the detective who discovers it should be able to convict me. A crime committed to decide a wager is perhaps new.” “Its very novelty is your best safe guard. ” “Yet there are two ways by which it may be discovered, and that is two too many. Had I undertaken this affair secretly there would really have been but a single way for one to learn my secret—my own confession. As men have been weak enough to do this before now, I should oven in that instance have tak en precautions. But with my secret in the possession of a second party the posi tiou is more complex. ” “I assure you on my honor that I will not betray you. I will agree to forfeit five times the wager in such an event. ” “I prefer that you should be perfectly at liberty in the matter. I expect it to be thus. In your own mind at pieseut you do not think that 1 shall carry out my purpose. Therefore your friendship for mo is undisturbed. Then you count that, if I do commit a crime, it will bo some trivial one that you may bring your con science to excuse, under the circum stances. But let us suppose that a really great crime should be reported, and for some reason you should suspect mo. Yon will hurry to my rooms before I get out of bed and ask mo flatly whether I am guilty. As flatly I should refuse to en lighten you. You would take this as a confession of guilt. You would perhaps argue that if your surmise were correct you would be un accessory before the fact, and to shield yourself and do your duty you would make a clean breast of it.” “I am beginning to be offended, Bob. I did not think you would trust mo so little!” “Don’t get angry, old man. Romem ber that only a few’ minutes ago yon warned me that Jon would out mo dead after the crime. We artistic criminals must bo prepared against every contin gency.” “I did not think when I spoke. 1 did not mean it. ’ ’ “Yes, you did, and I am not at all angry. Let it be understood then that yon will bo at liberty to repeat the facts about this wager should your conscience prick you. It will bo best for me to ex pect and be prepared for such action. But you have not asked w hat tho second danger of discovery is. Can you guess?” “Not unless you mean us you sug gested, your own confession. ” “No, though that really makes a third chance. Yet it is so simple. Have you noticed that wo cun bear a man suor ing?” “No!” “Listen a moment! Do you not hear that ? It is not exactly u snore, but ruthor a troubled breathing. Now that man is in tho third section from us. Do you see tho point?” “I must confess that I would not make a detective. ” “Why, my dear boy, if we can hear that follow, why may not some one in the next compartment be listening to our tete-a-tete?” Mr. Barnes fairly glowed with admiration for tho fellow’s careful consideration of every point. “Oh, 1 guess not! Everybody is asleep ” “Thu common criminal from neces sity takes chances like that without counting on them. I shall not. There is a possibility, however remote, that some one, in No. 10, say, has overheard us. Again, he may even bo a detective, and, worse yet, it might bo your Mr Barnes himself. ” “Well, I must say if you prepare against sucb long odds as that you de serve to escape detection!” “That is just what I will do. But the odds are not so great as you imagine. I read in an afternoon paper that Mr. Barnes hod remained in Boston in con nection with properly securing his pris oner during the day, but that he w’ould leave for New Yoik tonight. Of course tho newspaper may have been wrong Then in saying “tonight” it may have been inaccurate, bnt supposing the statement wore true, then there were three truina upon which he might have started, one at 7 o’clock, one at 11 and this one. One in three is not long odds. ” “But even if he is on this train there are ten coaches. ” “Again yon are wrong. After his hard work on this Pettingill case he would be sure to take a sleeper. Now, if you recall tbe fact, I did not decide to go to New York tonight till the last minute. Then we fonnd that we could not get a whole section and were about to bunk together in a lower berth when, several more people applying, they de termined to put on another coach. There fore, unless Mr. Barnes secured his ticket during the day, he would inevi tably have been assigned to tl. s coach. “ “Hud you any special reason for sng gesting No. 10?” “Yes; I know that No. tl is unoc- I capiod. But jutt Us we started some one came in, and, I mink, took the upper berth of No. 10.” Mr. Barnea began to think that he would have exceedingly difficult work to detect this man in crime were be really to commit one in spite of the fact that he knew so much in advance. Tbe conversation continued: “Thus, you see, there are two ways by which my object may become known, • serious matter if unguarded against As, however Irecognize the possibilities in advance there will be no difficulty whatever, aid the knowledge will be of no value to any detective, even though he be your Mr. Barnes. ” “How will you avoid that danger?” “My dear boy, do yon suppose for an instant that I would reply to that after pointing out that a detective maybelis- i tening? However, I will give you an ; idea. I will show you what I meant when I said that Pettingill had blun dered. Yon said that ho had lost only a 1 button and thought it clever in Barnes to trace him from tho button. But a button may he a most important thing. J If I should losoono of the buttons of my : vest while committing a crime, Mr. Barnes would trace mo out in much less 1 than ten days, and for this reason they are the only ones of the kind in tbe world. ” i “How f does that happen? I supposed that buttons were made by tho thou sand. ” “Not all buttons. For reasons which I need not tell the possibly listening do- , tective, a friend traveling abroad had a j set made specially and brought them I back to mo as a present. They are haud- | somely cut cameo;;, half the set having : the profile head of Juliet and the others a similar face of Romeo. ” j “A romance?” “That is immaterial. Suppose that I 1 should plan a robbery in order to decide this wager. As necessity would not urge ■ me either as to time or place, I should choose my opportunity, let us say, when , but one person guarued tho treasure, i That one I should chloroform and also tie. Next, I should help myself to the i designated plunder. Suppose that as I were about to depart a sleeping, uncal culated for pet dog should jump out and bark furiously? I reach for it, and it snaps at me, biting my hand. I.grapple it by tho threat and strangle it, but in its death throes it bites my vest, and a button falls to the ground and rolls away. The dog is at last silenced. Your ordinary burglar by this time would be so unnerved that ho would hasten off, not even realizing that he had been bit ten, that blood had flowed, or that the button was lost. Mr. Barnes is sent to the house the next day. The lady sus pects her coachman, and Mr Barnes consents to his arrest, not because he thinks him guilty, but because, as the mistress thinks so, he may be, and then move especially, his arrest will lull the fear of the real culprit. Mr. Barnes would observe blood on tho ground, on the dog’s mouth, and he would find the button. From tho button lie would find Mr. Thief, with his hand bitten, and there you are. ” “But how should you avoid nil that?” “In the first place, were I really wise, 1 should not have telltale buttons about me at such a r ime. But let us suppose that tho time had not been of my own choosing; thru the buttons might have been with me. Assured as I should have been that the only person in the house lay chloroformed and tied, I should not have lost my nerve, as did tho other in dividual. Neither should I have allowed myself to ho bitten, though if the acci dent had occurred I should have stopped to wash up the stain from tho carpet whilo fresh, and also from tho dog’s mouth. I should have discovered the loss of tho button, searched for and re covered it, untied the victim and opened the windows, that the odor of chloroform could pass off during the night. In fact, in the morning the only evidence of crime would have been the strangled dog and the absence of the pelf. ” “It is easy enough to explain j’our ac tions under supposititious circumstances. But I doubt if in Pcttiugill’s shoes you would have been able to retain your 1» escuco of mind and recover the lost button which led to his final arrest.” “It is possible that you are right, for had 1 been Fottiugill I should have been ! coerced by necessities as no was. Yet I think I should not have planned such a robbery, choosing my ow'u time us he did, and then have taken with me such a button. But from Mr. Barnes’ stand point, as I said before, very little of the artistic was needed. Tho button was constructed of a curious old coin. Mr. Barnes went the rounds of tho dealers and found the very man who had sold Pcitiugill thccoiu. Tho rest was routine work. ’ ’ “Well, yon are conceited, bnt 1 don’t mind making a thousand out of your egotism. Now 1 am sleepy, however, so good night.'' “Good night, old man. Dream of a way to earn an extra thousand, for I shall win. ” For Mr. Barnes himself sleep was I now mure impossible than ever. He was attracted to this new case, for so ho counted it, and was determined to trap tho individual who wagered against his acumen. It was a long step toward suc cess to know as much us he hud over heard. He would not lose sight of his man during the allotted month. He en joyed tho prospect of allowing him to commit his crime and then quietly tak ing him in the act. Carefully and noise lessly ho dressed himself and slipped out of his berth. Then lie crept into one opposite, so that he could have his eye on No. 8, and settled down for an all night vigil. | “It would not surprise mo if that keeu devil were > commit his crime this very uight. 1 hope so, for otherwise I shall have no sleep till he does. ” CHAPTER II. A DAU1XO AND Bt’CCEKSFL'L TRAIN HOB- BERY. The train was just approaching Stam ford, ami f mi the window in tho sec tion which e occupied Mr. Uarnes was watching t! sun glowing red over the kilUupj, WmUU he heard approaching him the guard who had assisted him to jump aboard the night before. The men was making mysterious gestures, from which Mr. Barnes understood that he was wanted. He arose and followed tbe porter to the smoking room. “I think yon called yourself Barnee,” said tbe man, “as yoa Jumped aboard last night’’ “Yes; what of it?” “Are yon Mr. Barnes, the detective?” “Why do yon ask?” “Because, if yon are, the conductor wants to see you. There was a big rub bery committed on tbe train daring tbe night. ’’ “Tbe devil 1” “Exactly, bnt will you come iufo the next coach?” “Wait a minute. ” Mr. Barnes went back into the main part of tho coach and tiptoed toward No. 8. Gently mov ing the curtains, be peeped in and looked long and earnestly. He saw two men undoubtedly sleeping soundly Satisfied, therefore, that ho could leave his watch for a brief period, he followed the porter into tho next couch, where ho found the conductor waiting for him in the smoking room. “You are Mr. Barnes, the detective?’ asked the conductor. Mr. Barnes as sented, “Then I wish to place in your hands officially a most mysterious case. Wo took on a lady last uight at Boston, who had a ticket to South Norwalk. As we were approaching that point a short time ago she was notified by tho porter She arose and dressed preparatory to leaving the train. A few minutes later I was hurriedly summoned, when the woman, between hysterical sobs, in formed me that she had been robbed. ” “Of much?” “She claims to miss a satchel contain ing §100,000 in jewelry." “You have stated that adroitly. She claims to miss! What evidence have yon that she has met with any loss at all?” “Of course we cannot tell about the jewelry, bnt she did have a satchel, which is now missing. The por'er re members it, and we have searched thor oughly, with no success," “Wo have stopped at New Haven and at Bridgeport How many persons have left the train?” “No one has left the sleepers. ” “When you say that no one has left the sleepers, 1 suppose you mean you saw no one leave?” “No! I mean just what I said 1 have sent the porters through tho couches, and they report that all our pussong- rs are in their berths But here v. e come to a point ff no one has left the train, then tho thief iRust be aboard?” “Certainly!” “The woman when nha discovered her loss concluded to remain aboard and go on to New York. All the other passen gers save one are booked for New York. That one is a man, and he is now dress ing, as his destination is Stamford. If he leaves, lie may take tho jewels with him, yet what am I to do?” “State the fuels of thoeusoto him. If he is innocent, he will willingly submit to being searched. If, however, ho re fuses—well, we can be gn ded by cir- cumstauers. Call him in hero now.” A few minutes later a foreign and dis tinctly French appearing man enter'd. In speech he disclosed his origin, hut the accent was slight He was of line appearance, dignified and gentlemanly. Mr. Barms sat at the window looking out. The conductor with considerable hesitancy explained the case, concluding with: "You see, my dear sir, this is auawk- 1 ward business, but we are so sure that the thief is si ill aboard thr.t ”— “That you hesitate to allow mo to leave the Ira n, eh, monsieur, is it not so? Yet why should them be any tron- i ble? An honest man mn.-t never be hurt in liis feelings when ho is asked to assist the law, oven though for the moment he j is himself a—what you call it—suspect? | In this case it is so simple if only the honest men will make no trouble. They will say to yon, ‘Search me!’ You do • so, and at lust one comes who says, i ‘You insult me!’ That one is of course the thief, eh, monsieur? Doyou not agree j with me?” Ho turned toward Mr. i Barnes, addressing this last remark to | him. The detective looked at him a mo ment steadily, as was his wont when he meant to remember a face. Tho French man reiurtied the gaze undisturbed. “I said almost tho same thing to the conductor before you came in,” said Mr. Barnes. “Exactly so. Now, then, with your permission I will disrobe. Look, if you please, most carefully. My honor is at stake. The more carefully you examine the less suspicion can attach tome here after.” The conductor made a thorough search, emptying every pocket and tak ing every precaution. Ho did not expect to find anything, but it was essential that extreme care should be observed. Nothing was found, and tho man re- < Burned his clothing. “Now, if you please, I have with mo bnt two small satchels. If the porter will bring them, I will unlock them for you. I have no trunk, as I only went to Boston for a day’s trip. ” Tho satchels were brought, examined and nothing found. “Now, gentlemen, 1 suppose I am free, as we are at my station. I shall only remain here a few hours and W’ill then go on to New York. If you should wish to see me again, I shall stop at the Hoffman House. Here is my curd. Au revoir!” Mr. Barnes took tbe card and scrati- nized it. “What do yon think?” asked the con ductor. “Think? Ob, yon mean of that fel low. Yon need not worry about him. There is not a shadow of suspicion against him—at present Besides, shonld wo ever want him I could find him. again. Hero is his name—Alpbonij Thunret—card genuine, too, of Frem make and style of type. We can dismi] him now and turn our attention to. other puskougers. Do you supj could have an interview with Um wj au?” ’ "You shall have it if you wiih. Ifo | will not consult hi r v • i,^; j j Bte mi ter. Tbe affair is t.;o : < ri< ’’ “Very well, tliu-, : • :»l']; Cr j n and let me have a fi \v words with alone. Don’t tell her Hut lamadete ive. Leave that to me. ” A few minutCH later a tall won»s*.| apparently r.bout years of age.i tered. She war. net 1.yie, vet'l a pleasing face. As -■ ,•• .seated ‘ hers* she looked keenly ;•.' Mr. Barnes in steal!hy manner, wlii- i -.Jd bavo at tracted that gi •.:! nnui's earnest thought. A; par :i:ly 1.: did not uoiics it. The woman spoke first. The conductor has ir ntiv.c in here to see you. What have you to do with tha case?” “Nothing!” “Nothing? Then why” “When I say J have nothing to do with the ca.se, I Mean .‘■•imply ihr.t it rests with yon whether I shall midei akf to restore to yea year amend:; or not. I look after sue!) tl, ngs for this road, bnt if the loser d • cot v h auv action taken by F: : d, why, t!:i a,we drop tha matter. Do you wish me to niako a search for the stolen prop: rty?” “I ccitain!v wi !i to recover tho jew els, as th- y are v v valuable, but I am not sim t::;;! I <’. r i place tho ease in tho hands of a d n ;ve. ” “V*ko sa ;i th 1 am a detective?” “Are yoa not one?’’ Mr. Bart oa It- .: led a moment, quickly derided on !> ■. course. “i am a ilct'.c:ivc connected with a private ag ney The •inre I ertn under take t > look up thief without pub licity. Tint is ’ oar main objection to ph.ring then • in my hands, isit not?” “Yon are ? kreu d. ,:ero nvc reasons, family i amm, why ! do not wish this loss published to the wm id. If yon cun <jO i'.'di J •' . r - 0 1 ii tffi/ , \ -V. , -rap"! y//; -Mfe S r fhj\. }' 1^4 : \ 7^ 'Isi* -A • f . l t; \j 'M hi >/ r v- ■ I I r y /T ’ ’ • 1 - : i- ! / r V* r i* -7^ “/’nt—f/n i tniiliict r Iran's to search me." undertake in recover the jewels and keep this robicry out uf the newspapers I would pay y< u well. “ . “1 wiil take the case Now answer men few qr .: ions First, your iiuma and address ” “My name i Rose MiteheJ, and I am living tempoiurily in a furnished flat in East Thirti h street, New York. 1 liavo recently coma from New Orleans, my home, and am looking tor suitable apart ments.” Mr. Barnes took out his note book and made a momoramh:!)! of tho address. “Married or single?” "Mari;i i l.u* my husband has been dead for rev. rul yea: -. ” “Now about, the- .• wo Is. How did it happen that yon v,. vu traveling with so valuable a lot of j welry “I have not lo t jev-.a ..y. hr jewel They are tin >1; : ton , of rare beaut: diamonds, mbh ; . ;s .-.nd oj cions stones. When my hush ho left a large loriane, but tl also large debt ', which sv.al everything rave whnr '.ve dun one creditor. This w;r an Itnliai man—I need not nnn’icn hi : it who died almost at tho same tli my husband. Th” c:.; utors comtil cafed with me, and our corn nnudel culminated m my p'ing llie-e jewel in payment of the debt. Iiweived thor -in Boston yesterday, and a heady 1 bav< lost'them. It is too ern-1—too cruel!” She gripped her hands iigetlicr coiivnl sivcly, and a few tears coursed dowi her face. Mr. Barnes mused a few mo incuts and seemed not to be observiuj her. “What was tbe value of these jewels?" “One hundred thousand dollars.” “By what express company were ihej sent to you?” Tho quo tiou was a .sim ple one, and Mr Barnes asked it rat hot mechanically, though he was wondering if the thief had come across the ocean— from Franco, perhaps He was there fort astonished at I ho t d'cct produced. Tin woman uro-o suddenly, her whole man ner changed t he n plied with her lipi com pressed tightly, as though laboring under some excitement. “That is not ess *ntial. Perhaps 1 an telling too much to a stranger anyway. Come to my apartment this evening, and I will give yon further particular) —if 1 decide to leave the ease in youi hands. If not. 1 will pay you for what ever trouble y .u have in the interim. Good morning!” Mr. Baines watched her leave tht room without i fiering to detain her ot making any eninmoiil on her singulai maimer. Without rising from his seal ho looked on: of the w indow and strum' med on the pane. Wiiat ho thought il would to dih.-ali to tall, but j cseutlj be said aloud, though there was no oik to hear him: ”1 think si 10 is a liar!” Having reihnvd himself thus, ho ra- turned to h s i.'.ncoach. lie found twi gentlemen in the toilet room allowing theurcives tub c.•.relied, laughing ova the nut; ter ; .. Inge juke. Hu pusse4 by and eutiv 1 lus own compartment, which the pin er had put in order. Ou( after am. h •• the f.-w pa sengors nros3, heard of o • l!,- iy a;,d eheerfullj pa icil th: the ordeal of beiiM He:- '< t nr r ’ i-’ii vkxt w MOST remarkable earea rd have been accomplished It Is.