The ledger. [volume] (Gaffney City, S.C.) 1896-1907, January 30, 1896, Image 6
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THE WEEKLY LEDGER: GAFFNEY, S. C., JANUARY 30, 1896.
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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
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“/’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.