Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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By BODEIGUES OTTOLENGTJL [Copyright, 1806, l y O. P. Putnam'■ 8ona.| CHAPTER L A OF.JJTI.EMAN thinks he can commit a ( t.'lMK AND ESCAPE DETECTION. ‘Jack Barnes never gets left, yon bet.” “That was a close call, tbongh,” re plied the Pullman porter who bad given Mr. Barnes a helping hand in his des perate effort to board the midnight ex press as it rolled ont of Boston. “I wouldn’t advise yon to jump on moving trains often.” “Thank yon for yonr good advice and for yonr assistance. Here’s a quarter for I yon. Show me to my section. I am near ly dead, I am so tired. ” it i* “Upper 10. Right this way, sir. all ready for yon to turn in. ” When Mr. Barnes entered the coach, no one was in sight. If there were other passengers, they were abed. A few min- ( . . ntos later he himself was patting two scientific man pnrsning crime as an art! It li tbe erftaiiial’r neoeaity which leads to hir teetion." "Then ml criminals should be canght?" “All criminals should be caught That they are not is a strong argument against yonr detective, for every crim inal. wo may say, is actuated by neote sity, an t therein ! tbe possibility of his defeat Forexij iple, yon may claim thn‘ the expert bnr ,lar lays his plans in advance, and that, the crime being pre meditated, he should be able to make snch carefnl prearrangnmente that he conld avoid leaving telltale marks be hind him This, however, is rarely the case, for this reason—the unexpected often if not always happens, and for that he has not prepared. In a moment he* sees prison ahead of him, and his fear steals away bis oantion, so that, as we have seen, he does leave a clew be hind him. ” “But when yon say tbe unexpected happens yon admit the possibility few that to occur which could nut have been premised, and therefore oonld not have been guarded against ” “That ia true as the case stands. Bnt remove the necessity which act nates our criminal and make of him simply a little bags of feathers and placing one atop of the other in a vain attempt to make them serve as one pillow. He bad told the porter that he was tired, and this was so trne that be should have fallen asleep quickly. Instead bis brain seemed specially active and sleep im possible. Mr. Barnes—Jack Barnes, ashecalled In the first place, we get an individual who will prepare for more accidents, and, secondly, would know how best to meet emergencies which occur during the commission of hi* crime. For exam ple, if yon will pardon the conceit, were I to attempt a crime I should be able to avoid detection." “I should think that from yonr inex- himself to tbe porter—was a detective, perience as a criminal yon wonld be run and counted one of tbe shrewdest in New \ ork, where he controlled a pri vate agency established by himself. He had jnst completed what he considered a most satisfactory piece of work. A large robbery had been committed in New York, and suspicion of the stron gest nature had pointed in the direc tion of a young man who had immedi ately been arrested. For ten days the press of theconutry had been trying and convicting the snspcct, during which j time Mr. Barnes bad qnietly left the metropolis. Twelve hoars before we met him those who read the papers over their toast bad been amazed to learn that the snspeef was innocent and that the real criminal bad been apprehended by the keen wilted Jack Barnes. What was bet ter, he had recovered the lost funds, amounting to fiiO.OOO. He had had a long chase after his man, whom he had shadowed from city to ciiy and watched day and night, ac tuated to this course by a slight clew in winch he had placed his fuith Now, his.man fast in a Boston orison ho was on his way to New York tor icqnisition papers. As ho had said, he was tired, yet despite his need of complete rest his thoughts persisted in rehearsing all the intricate details of the reasoning which had at last led him to the eolation of the mystery. As he lay in his npper • berth awake these words reached his ears: “If I knew that man Barnes was aft- | er me, I should simply surrender. ” This proi used to be the beginning of an entertaii mg conversation, and as be could not sleep Sir. Barnes prepared to • listen. Extensive experience as a detect ive bad made him long ago forget the philosophic arguments for and against eavesdropping. The voice which bad at tracted him was low, but his ears were keen. He located it us coming from tbe section next ahead of bis, No. 8. A sec ond voice replied “I have no doubt that you would. But I wouldn’t You overestimate the ubility of the modern d tective. I should actually enjoy being bounded by one of them. It would be so much pleas ure, and, I think so easy, to elude him. ” Tbe last speaker possessed a voice which was musical, and ho articulated distinctly, though he scarcely ventured above a loud whisper. Mr Barnes cau tiously raised his head, arranging hia pillows so that his ear would be near the partition. Fortunately the two men next to him had taken the whole sec tion, and tbe -upper berth bad been al lowed to remain closed. Mr Barnes now foaud that he conld readily follow tbe conversation, which coutinned thus: “Bnt see how that Barnes tracked this Pettingill day and night until be bud trapped him Just as the fellow supposed himself safe be was arrested. You must admit that was clever work.” "Oh, yes, clever enough in its way, but. there was nothing specially artistio about H Not that the detective was to blame. It was the fault of tbe criminal There was no chance for tbe artistic. ” Yet Mr. Barnes had used that very ad jective to himself in commenting upon ibis conduct of this case. The man con- tinned: “The crime itself was inartis- { tio. Pettingill bungled, Barnes was shrewd enough to detect the flaw, and with his experience and skill in snch cases the end was inevitable. ” “It seems to me either that yon have not read the foil account of the case or else yon do uot appreciate the work of the detective Why. all tbe clew he had [Was a button. ’’ t "Ai. 1 Only a button, hut snch a but ton! That .s where 1 say that the crimi- lual was imrtislic. Ho should uot have 'lost that botton. ” “It was uu accident, I suppose, and one against which he conld uot have guarded, it was one of the exigencies of bis crime. “ t “Exactly so, and it is these little ac cidents, always unforeseen, though al- ‘ways occn nog, which In,’nr so many, and jail so many, and give our detect ives such an easy road to fume. That is the gist of the whole matter. It is au unequal game this between the criminal and the detective. ’’ "1 don’t catch what you aro driving at ” “ITl give yon a di • m;nm on crime. Attend I In ord nary business it is brains versus brains. The professional mnu con tends with his fellows, and if he wonld win the race toward fortuue bo must show more biaius. The commercial man competes with other tradesmen all as clever as himself. So it goes from the lawyer to the locksmith, from the preacher to the sign painter. It is brains rubbing against brains, and we get the most polished thought as tbe result. Thus the science of honest living pro gresses. ’' “What has this to do with the crimi nal class?” “One moment I*t the philosopher teach yon in hia own way. With the criminal it is different He is matched against his snperior. Those in his own class do not contend with him. They are rather hia partners, bis ‘pals,’as they term it His only contention, there fore, is with the detectives who repre sent society and the law. No man, I suppose, is •Aviuiiuui from ohoioy. and to earth—well, about as quickly as this man Pettingill This was his first crime, yon know. ” “Wonld yon be willing to make a wager to that effect?” This last remark fairly startled Mr. Barnes, who instant ly understood tbe meaning, which, how ever, at first escaped the other listener. He waited eagerly for the reply. “I don’t grasp the idea. Make a wager about what?” “Yon said that were I to commit a crime I should be captured about as quickly as Pettingill If yon wish, I will wager that I can commit a crime which will be as much talked of as bis, snd that I will not be captured, or rather I should say convicted. I would not bet against arrest, for, as we have seen in this very case, the innocent are some times incarcerated Therefore I stipulate for conviction.” “Do I understand yon to serionsly of fer tb commit a crime merely to decide a wager? Yon astound me I" “No more perhaps than Pettingill baa surprised his friends. Bnt don't be alarmed. I shall assume all responsibil ity. Besides, remember it is not crime that is scowled opon in this century, bnt detection. I wager with yon against that Come, what do yon say? Shall it be $1,000? I want a little excitement 1“ , “Well, yon shall have it At least you •hall have the excitement of paying the | Mr. Barnt s cautiously raised his head. thousand dollars to me, for, tbongh I think vo. ,ie not really intending to becouiu a ci iininal in either event, I may as well profit by your offer. ” “What do yon mean by‘in either event?’ ’’ “Why, if yon do not commit a crime, yon pay, and if yon do I am sure that yon wonld be canght Then, however much I should regret yonr disgrace. I warn yon that I should cut you deed end take your money. ’’ “Then you accept the wager?” “Ido'" “Done. Now for the conditions. Ism to have one month in which to plan end commit uy crime, end one yeer for avoiding the detect ivea. That is, if I am tree at tne end oi one year tu.,1 can prove to yon that I committed a crime within the stipulated period, I win tbe wager. If I am in jail awaiting trial, the bet cannot be settled until the law has had Ita way and I am either proved inno cent or guilty. Is that satisfactory?” 1 “Perfectly. Bnt what class of crime will yon commit?” “My friend, yon are inquisitive The wagor ia on, and my boasted caution must begin. Therefore I must not tell yon anything of the nature of my in tended crime” “Why, do yon suppose for an instant that I wonld betray yon?” “Well, yes, that idea does occur to me. Listen. As I said before, the ne cessities of the criminal prove his Nem esis. The necessities involve tbe object of the crime. That is always a good starting point in following up a mysteri ous case. The more unusual the object the better, since it will fit fewer people. Plunder is the commonest and there fore the least promising to trace from. 'Revenge is common also, bnt better, be cause the special revengeconuected with tbe deed must lead to the special indi vidual most likely to execute such re venge. In this instance—1 moan my own case—the object of the crime is so unique that the detective who discovers it should be able toconvict 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 maybe discovered, and that is two too many. Had I ue ' rtakeu this affair secretly there v.ouh- really have been but e. single v\ i.v fe one to 'earn my Secret—my own confession. A < men have been weak enough to do this before now, I should eveu in that instance have tak en precautions. Bnt with my secret in the possession of a second party the poei tiuu is more complex. ” “I assure you on my honor that I will not betray yon. I will agree to forfeit five times the wager in snch au event.’’ “I prefer that yon should ho perfc Uy at liberty iu the matter. 1 expect u to be thus. Iu your own miud at present you do uot think that 1 shall curry ont my purpose. Therefore your friendship for me is undisturbed. Then you count that, if 1 do commit a crime, it will b. some trivial one that you may bring yor.r con- rurac* to excuse, under tjis Qiraua- stanoes. Bnt 1st ns suppose that a reany great mJmv should be reported, and for v .me reason you should suspect me Yon will burry to my rooms before 1 get out of bed and ask mo flatly whether I am guilty. Ax flatly 1 should refuse to cu- lighlen you. You would take this ns • conleesiou of guilt You would perhaps argue that if yonr surmise were correct you would be an accessory before the fact, and to shield yourself and do your duty you would make u clean breast of it” “I am beginning to bo offended, Boh. I did not think yon would trust me so little!” “Don’t get angry, old man. Remem ber that only a few miuntes ego you warned me that yon would cut me dead after the crime. We artistic criminals must be prepared against every contin gency.” “I did not think when I spoke. I did not mean it" “Yes, yon did, and I am not at all angry. Let it be understood then that you.will be at liberty to repeat the facts , about this wager should your conscience prick yon. It will be best for ms to ex pect and be prepared for snch action. Bnt yon have not asked what the second danger of discovery is. Can yon guess?'’ I “Not nnlees yon mean as you sug gested, yonr own confession." | "No, though that really makes a third ehanoe. Yet it ia so simple. Have you noticed that we can bear a man snor ing?” “No!" “Listen s moment! Do yon not hear that? It is not exactly a snore, bnt rather a troubled breathing. Now that man la in the third section from na. Do you aee the point?" “I most confess that I wonld not ' make a detective. ” { “Why, my dear boy, if we can bear that fellow, why may not some one in the next compartment be listening to . our tete-a-tete?” Mr. Barnes fairly 1 glowed with admiration for the fellow'a { careful consideration of every point "Oh, 1 gness not I Everybody ia - asleep. ” “Tbe common criminal from neces sity takes chances like that without counting on them. I shall uot There is a possibility, however remote, that some one, in No. 10, say, has overheard us. Again, he may even be a detective, and, worse yet, it might be your Mr Barnes himself. ” “Well, I most say if yon prepare against snch long odds as that you de serve to escape detection I" “That is just what I will da But tbe odds are not so great as you iin:igiu& I read iu an afternoon paper that Mr. Barnes bad remained in Boston in con nection with properly securing bis pris oner during the day, bnt that be wonld leave for New York tonight. Of oonrse the newspaper may have been wrong. Then in saying "tonight” it may have been inaoenrate, bnt supposing the statement were trne, then there were three trains npon which he might have started, one at 7 o’clock, one at 11 and this one. One in three is not long odds. ” “But eveu if he is on this train there are ten coaches.” “Again you are wrong. After his bard work on this Pettingill case he wonld be sure to take a sleeper. Now, if yon recall the fact, I did not decide to go to New York tonight till tbe last minnte. Then we found that we conld not get a whole section and were about to bnnk together in a lower berth when, several more people applying, they de termiued to pnt on another coach. There fore, unless Mr, Barnes secured his ticket during the day, be wonltf inevi tably have been assigned to this coach. ” "Had you any special reason for sug gesting Na 10?” “Yes; I know that Na 6 Is tmoo copied. Bnt just as we started some ous oaiue in, snd, I think, took the appor berth of No. 10." Mr. Barnes began to think that he would have exceedingly difficult work to detect this man in crime were he really to commit oue iu spite of the fact that he knew so much in advance The conversation continued: “Thus, you see, there are two ways by which my object tc.iy become known, a aerions matter if nngnarded against. As, however, I recognize tbe possibilities in advance, there will be no difficulty whatever, and the knowledge will he of no value to any detective, even though be be your Mr. Barues. ” “How will you avoid that danger?” “My dear boy, do you suppose for an instant that I would reply to that after pointing out that a detective may be lis tening? However, I will give you an idea. I will show yon wbat I meant when I laid that Pettingill bad blun dered. Yon said that he bad lost only a button and thought it clever in Barnes to trace him from the bnttou. But a button may be a most important thing. If I should lose one of the bnttous of my vest while committing a crime, Mr. Barnes would trace me out in much less than ten days, and for this reason they are the only Ones of the kind in the world. ” “How does that happen? I supposed that buttons were made by tbe -thou sand. ” “Not all bnttoua For reasons which I need not tell the possibly lisuuiug de tective, a friend traveling abroad had a set made specially and brongir :nem back tome as a present They ar->' to .1 somcly cut cuii 'Mjs, 1:’If the set 1 eg the profile beau vf Jnliet and tbe others a similar face of Romoa " “A romance?" “That is immaterial. Suppose that I should plan a robbery in onlrr to decide this wagor As necessity u.-ulT not n:ge me either us to time or place, I : ho-;Id choose my opportunity, let us say. whoa but oue pp-son guarded tbe treasure That one I should chloroform utui uiso tie. Next. 1 tjiou l help mv elf 10 the designated plunde Suppose that as 1 were about to depart a sleeping, uncal culated for ] st dog should jumpont an-’, '.bark furiously? I reach for it, ami , snaps at me, biting my iiuud 1 grjppiw it by tho throat and strangle it but in its death throes it bi-es my vos'. and a button fulls to the g and mid rolls away. The dog is at Iasi silwi-od Yonr ordinary burglar by this time would be so unnerved that bo would hasten off. ; not even realizing that he had been bit ten, that blood bad flowed, or that the button was lost. Mr. Barnes is sent to tbe house the next day The lady sns pects her coachman, and Mr Batuev consents to his mrest, not because he thinks him gaily, but because, as the mistress thinks so, he may be, aud then more especially, hia arrest will lull the i fear of tho real culprit. Mr Barnes would observe blood on the ground, on tbe dog's mi'Uib, and he would find the button. From the bnttou ne wonld find i Mr. Thief, witji his hand hitSsn, and tber* yon sre, ~ “Bnt how should “In tbe tint place, won I I should not have telltale tattoos me at such a time. But let os soppow that the time hod not been of my own choosing; then tbe.buttons might have been with me. Assured as I should bavo been that the only pencil in tbe house Uy chloroformed and tied, I should not have lost my nerve, as did the other in dividual Neither should 1 hove allowed myself to be bitten, though if tbe acci dent had occurred I should have stopped to wash up the Mein from the carpet while fresh, and also from tbe dog’s month. I should have discovered tbe loss of the button, searched for and re covered it, nntied the victim and opened the w indows, that the odor of chloroform oonld pass off daring tbe night In tact, in the morning the only evidence of crime wonld have been tbe strangled dog and the absence of tbe pelf. ” “It is easy enough to expUin yonr ac tions under supposititious circumstances. Bnt I doubt if in Pettiugill's shoes yon | wonld have been able to retain yonr ' piesenoe of mind and recover the lost bntton which led to his final arrest” “It is possible that yon are right, for bad I been Pettingill I should have been : coerced by necessities as he waa. Yet I think I should not hive planned snch a robbery, choosing my own time as be did, and then have taken with me such s button. Bnt from Mr. Barnes' stand point, as I said before, very little of the artistic was needed. The button was constructed of a curious old coin. Mr. Barnes went the roonda of the dealers and found the very man who had sold Pettingill the ooin. Tbe rest was routine work.” “Well, yon are conceited, bnt I don’t mind making a thousand ont of your egotism. Now I am sleepy, however, so good night. ’’ "Good night, old man. Dream of a way to earn an extra thousand, tor I •hall win.” For Mr. Barnes himself sleep was now more impossible than ever. He was attracted to this new case, for so ha counted it, and was determined to trap the individual who wagered againM hia acumen. It was a long step toward suc cess to know as much as he had over heard. He would not love eight of his man during the allotted month. He en joyed the prospect of allowing him to commit hia crime and then qnietly tak ing him in the act Carefully and noise lessly he dressed himself and slipped out of his berth. Then he crept into one i opposite, so that he could have bis eye ou No 8, and settled down for an all night vigil. "It wonld notsnrprisemeif that keen devil were tocommit his crime this very night 1 hope so, for otherwise I shall have no sleep till he does. ” CHAPTER H. A DARINQ AND SUCCESSFUL TRAIN ROB BERY. The train was jnst approaching Stam ford, aud from the window in the sec tion which he oconpied Mr. Barnes waa watching the sun glowing red over the hilltci*. when he heard approaching him the gnard who had assisted him to jnmp aboard the night before. The man was making mysterious gestures, bom which Mr. Barnes understood that he was wanted. He arose and followed the porter to the smoking room. "I think yon called yourself Barnes, in Hia I Lie U*, O' is himself Li this care it i honest men will will aay to you, so, and at last oue m ' ‘Yon insult me!' Tbat_ ^ tbe thief, eh, monsieur ? Do you Dot i with me?” Ha turned Barnes, addressing this 1 him. The detective looked at him a mo ment steadily, as was bis wont when to meant to remember a face. Tbe French man returned the gage undisturbed. j | “I said almost the same thing to the conductor before you came in, ” said Mr. ’ Barnes. “Exactly sa Now, then, with your permission I will disrobe. Look, if you | please, moat carefully. My honor ia at ' Make. Tbe more carefully you examine the lea* suspicion can attach So me here after. ” The conductor made a thorough j search, emptying every pocket and tak- ! ing every precaution. He did not expect to find anything, but it was essential that extreme care should be observed. Nothing was found, and the man re sumed bis clothing. “Now, if yon please, I have with me bnt two small satchels. If tbe porter will bring them, I will unlock them for yon. I have no trunk, as I only wenj to Boston for a day's trip. ” The 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 will then „o on to New York. If yon should wish to aee me again, I shall Mop at the Hoffman House Here is my card. Au revoirl” Mr. Barnes took tbe card and scruti nized it “Wbat do you think?" asked the con ductor. “Think? Ob, you mean of that fel low. You need not worry about him. There ia not a shadow at suspicion against him—at present Besides, should wo ever want him I oonld find him again. Here is his name—Alphonse { Thanret—card genuine, too, of French make and style of type. We can dismiss him now and torn our attention to the other passengers. Do you suppose I could have an interview with the wom an?” - “Yon shall have it if yon wish. We will not consult her wishes in the mat ter. The affair is too serious." • “Very well, then, send her in here and let me have a few words with her alone. Don’t tell her that lamadetect- Ive. Leave that to roe. ” A few minntea later a tall woman, apparently about 45 years of age, en tered. She waa not hands-me, yet bad a pleasing face. As she seated herself she looked keenly at Mr. Barnes in a stealthy manner, which should have at tracted that gentleman’s earnest thought Apparently he did not notice, it The woman spoke first “The conductor has sent me in here to see yon. What have you to do with tbs case?" ' “Nothing 1” “Nothing? Then why”— “When I say I have nothing to do with the caqp, I mean simply that it » ^ I* 1 said the man, “as you jumped aboard rests with you whether 1 shall undertake to restore to you your diamonds or not. I look after such things for this road, but if the loser does not wish any action taken by the road, why, then, we drop tbe matter. Do you wish me to make a search for tbe stolen property?" "I certainly wisli to recover the jew els, as they are very valuable, but 1 it.ii not sure that 1 desire to place tbe case ui tho bauds of a detective " “Who sa:d that I am a detective?’.' "Are you not oue?” Mr. Barnes hesitated a moment, bnt quickly derided on his oourre. “1 am a detective connected with a private agency. Therefore 1 can under take to look up the thief with>mt pub licity. That is yonr maiu objection to placing the case in my hands, is it nor ' ! “ You are shrewd. Tberoarereasi.i . family reasons, why I do uot wish tins lorn published to tbe world If you can last night.” “Yes; wbat of it?” "Are yon Mr. Barnes, the detective?” “Why do you ask?” “Because, if you are, the conductor wants to aee you. There was a big rob bery committed on the train daring the night.” “Tbe devil)” “Exactly, but will yon come into the next coach?” “Wait a minnte.” Mr. Barnes went back into the main part of tbe coach and tiptoed toward Na 8. Gently mov ing the enrtsins, he peeped in and looked long and earnestly. He saw two men nndonbtedly sleeping soundly. Satisfied, therefore, that be cquld leave hia watch for a brief period, he followed the porter into tbe next coach, where he found the conductor waiting for him in tbe smoking room. “You are Mr. Barnes, the detective?” asked the con doctor. Mr. Barnes as sented. "Then I wish to place in your hands officially a most mysterious casa We took on a lady last night at Boston, who bad a ticket to South Norwalk. Aa we were approaching that point a short time ago she waa notified by tbe porter. She arose and dressed preparatory to leaving tbe train. A few minntea later 1 waa hurriedly summoned, when tbe woman, between hysterical soba, in formed me that she had been robbed." “Of mnoh?” “She claims to miM a satchel contain ing $100,000 in jewelry.” “Yon have stated that adroitly. She claima to miss 1 What evidence have yon that she has met with any loaa at all?” “Of course we cannot tell about the "But-fhe conductor wont* to search me” jewelry, but she did have a satchel, undertake to recover the jewels and keep which ia now musing. The porter ro- , this robbery ont of tbe newspapers I members it, and we have searched thor- . wonld pay yon well ” onghly, with no success. “We have stopped at New Haven and at Bridgeport How many persons have left tbe train?’’ “No one haa left the sleepers.” “When yon say that no one haa left the sleepers, I suppose yon mean yon saw no one leave?” “Not I mean jnst what I said. I have sent the porters throngh the coaches, and they report that all our passengers ; are in their bertha. Bnt here we ooroe to ' • point If no one baa left the train, then the thief mnst be aboard?” 1 “Certainly I" “The woman when the discovered her loss concluded to remain aboard and go ou to New York. All the other jpaasen- gera save one are booked for New York. That one is a man, and be is now dress ing, aa his destination ia Stamford. If he leaves, he may take the jewels with him, yet wbat am I to do?” "State the facts of the case to him. If be ia innocent, he will willingly submit to being searched. If, however, ha re fuses—well we can be guided by cir cumstances. Call him in here now. ” A few minutes later a foreign and dis tinctly French appearing man entered. In speech be disclosed his origin; bnt tbe accent was slight Hs was of fine appearance, dignified and gentlemanly. Mr. Barnes sat at tbe window looking out The conduct* with considerable hesitancy explained the case, concluding with: "You aee, my dear dr, this is aa awk ward business, hut ws are so sure that the thief is'still aboard that”— “Xtal na hsmtats to alfcm m to ”1 will take the case. Now answer me a few questions First, yonr name and address.” "My name ia Bose Mjtcbel. and I am living temporarily in a furnished flat in East Thirtieth street. New York. I have recently come from New Orleans, my home, aud am looking for suitable a port- meuta.” -*■ Mr. Barnes took ont his note book and made a memorandum of tho address. “Married or single?” “Married, bnt my husband has been dead for several years. ” “Now about these jewels How did ft happen that yon were traveling with ■o valuable a lot of jewelry?" "I have not lost jewelry, bnt jeweh. They are onset Monos of rare beauty- diamonds, rnbfrs, pearls and other pre- oious stones. When my husband died, be left a large fortune, bnt there were al?o large debts, which swallowed up everything save what was due him trout one creditor. This was uu Italian nob la man—I need uot mention hia name- who died almost at the same time aa my husband. Tho executors conimnni- oated with me, and onr eorre-ffondettce culminated in my accepting these jewels in payment of the debt I received them in Boston yesterday, and shandy 1 have lost them. It is too cruel—joo cruel!” She gripped her hands together convul sively, and a few tears her face. Mrv Barnet mi meats aud seemed not to be "What was tbe value of “Uaetaadrt Good Mr. room without i making any comm manner. Without to looked ont of the med on tbe pane. What wonld be difficult to tell, he said aloud, tbongh thera wto *• osa to hear him: “I think she is a liar I" Having relieved b baas if thas, to re turned to Us own ooaeb. H« found two iu the toilet room to be I tbe matter aa a huge joke, by and entered hia own Which the porter had put after another the few hoard at the robbery and etanrfuUy passed through the ordeal at bsfcq[ searched. At last hia patience waa rewarded by seeing the curtains of Ha 8 moving, end s moment later a fine looking yoang man of six and twenty eosaeped, partly dressed, and went toward the toilet Mr Barnes sauntered after him, and en tered tbe smoking room Hs had scarce ly seated himself before a man entered, who was sridsatly tbe other occupant at section 8. While this second man waa washing, tbe conductor explained to tbe other shout the robbery, sad sug gested that Jie allow himself to be search ed. By this time the conductor waa be coming exci.ed They were within a few minntea at New York, and all hia passengers had been examined save there | two Yet these two looked more aristo cratic than any at the others. He was astonished, therefore, toobeerve that the young man addressed seemed very much disturbed. He stammered and stuttered, seeking words, and finally in a hoarse voice addressed bis companion: j “Bob, do yon bear, there's been a robbery I” | His friend Bob Was bending over tte water basin, bis bead and face covered with a stiff soap lather and hie hands rubbing his skin vigorously. Before replying be dipped bis head completely under tho water, held it so submerged a moment, then stood erect with eyre that and reached for a towel In a mo ment he had wiped the soda from hia eyre, and looking at his friend he an swered most unconcernedly: "What of it?” "But—but—tbe conductor wants to search me. ” . "All right What are yon afraid of? You are not tbe thief, are you?” “No—tat”— “There is no bnt in it If yon are in nocent, let them go throngh yoo.” Then with a light langh be turned to tho glare and began arranging his cravat Hit friend looked at him a moment with an expression which no one bat Mr. Barnes understood. Tbe detective bad recog nised by their voices that it waa Bob who had mada the wager to commit a crime, and it waa plain that his friend already inspected him. Hia fright was occasioned by the thooght that perhaps Bob had stolen tbe jewels during the night and then secreted them in hie clothing, where if found the suspicion wota Id not be on Bob Mr. Barnes was amused aa be saw tto yoang man actually searching himself. In a few minutes, with a sigh cf in tense relief, having evidently discovered nothing foreign in bis pockets, be tioned to the con doctor who Mood waiting and expectant “Mr Conductor,” he began, "I fare that my conduct baa seemed saspickma I can’t explain, tat nevertheless I am perfectly willing to hare yon make a search. Indeed I are anxious that K should be a thorough one ” Tbe exam ination was mada, and. as with the otters, nothing was found. “Here is my cord. I am Arthur Ran dolph, of tbe firm of J ($. Randolph * Son, bankers. ” Mr Randolph stood n trifle more ereot'aa he said this, and .the poor conductor felt that be had dona him a grievous wrong. Mr. Randolph continued: “This ia my friend, Robert I Leroy Mitofael I will vouch ft* faint. *’ At the name Mitcbel Mr. Barnes was a trifle Mwtled. It was the same aa I that which had been given fay the wem- ; an who had been robbed Attkie point Mr Mitofael a man of 46. with a das- : sic face, spoke: | "Thanks, Arthur, I can take cm of 1 myself 1” I The conductor hesitated n moment. 1 and then addressed Mr. Mitchel: j “1 regret very much the necessity , which compels me to ask yon to allow I yourself to be searched, but it is my 1 duty.” | “My dear sir, I understand perfectly : that it i* yonr doty and have no per sonal fee lings against you. Nererthalem I distinctly refuse. ” •‘Yon refuse?” The words came from the other three men together. It is difil- cult to tell which waa tbe most sur prised. Randolph tamed pale and leaned againM the partition for rapport. Mr. Barnes became slightly excited and mid: i “That amounts to a tacit ac know ledg- 1 meet of guilt, since every other man haa been searched ” Mr. Mitofael’ll re ply to this waa even rears of a than what be had aaid before. “That altera tbe cam else haa submitted, to wi more ado be divested clothing. Nothing satchels cf the search ww glanced at the that gentlemm window. One who coo Id tare told “Wall I< to the toilet room, ] being, m I was, i the eendnetor s| porpoeely, to wati with the result, aa had my saxpicicB i that yoo were a. > son for refusing tb “Aslaiid.ii did not need this i occur again, I assart “Of coarse I see l beard oar eourerearien such being the peeled mo of wondering, if yon t why you did uot " To this Mr. Cartes made no i have one faxes to ask.” “Wbatialtr “That yoo reveal to Co if that I crime. Yea at < play tbs ferret and J1M11 •* ‘ ‘ Aa surely as yoa c (■rely will I convict yoa of l Mr. Barnes “It will be] interest to keep what 11 tat it will not do to i to yon I mast be I “Verygcod. I will tell am stopping and I fire yoa | to call to ace me whenever day or night I liave a tiuti' the Fifth Arenas Now tax one question Do yen (_ mined this robbery?” “I will answer DM voai “Capital I ore I bare a worthy of my steel Well, we • both questions i ant' Robbery By Wager An Artist In Crime Is sooteditar nan detective Pictioa. hero Aad 1 doing a 1 •work kimaelf. i biting t wMl PSSs