The Lambertville press., 1861-02-13

suggestion, though it had but little
effect upon me.
You now have the particulars,
continued the chief. 81 give you
one week to solve the mystery and
bring the adept to Justice. Here is a
list of the principle losers. Yon can
take your own course as to what plans
you shall follow. Good morning."
knew that this case had been
placed in my hands as test of my
skill, and | resolved if within the GRASP
of human ingenuity, to compass it
1t was most singular case-occur-
ring as it did, in the very heart and
center of first society. 1t was impos-
sible to accuse any one on suspicion /;
there must be proof positive before a
word conld be uttered How was it
to be obtained ?
I sat dowl and thought seriously
laying ont my plans as ] grasped each
point Of the case then arose to act
Dressing myself in the very height
of fashion, | hired carriage and drove
to the house of the Hon. M. r
| found him at LONE, and stating my
vocation and purpose, was invited in
to the library.
| fear you have assumed a fruit
less task, Mr.. Brandon" he said, when
we were seated.
expressed my conviction of sue
cess.
GLOW do you intend to proceed ?"
he asked
l remarked that ] should. be gov
erned by circumstances, but desired a
full list, or as near as possible, of all
the guests on the evening of the ball.
He vert out few minutes, and hand
ed me a complete list, which he had
obtained from his lady. I ran my eye
down the column with eager interest !;
and many Of the persons knew, eth
er personally or by reputation /; they
were principally married men and their
families One name-a lady's seemed
to make an impression on my mind.
| had never heard of her, though
it was hazardous novel yentured
to ask who she was.
"Oh," said Mr.. F. Madam
Delauney-she is an old friend /
knew her husband, M. Delauney when
Twas Consul at Paris. He was Sc
cond Intendant Of Police, and died du- :
ring my term She is an American
by birth, whom he fell in love with
while on a visit to Paris, with her
father, a Boston merchant She is
very beautiful and amiabIe. "
This disarmed me, for | knew an
other question would give offence, and
his report was perfectly satisfactory
| next asked the names of few per-
sons who had lost jewelry. He marked
their names on paper took my
leave, with many expressions OF good
will, and hopes of snccess, from the
old gentleman
My next visit was to the residence
of one Of the ladies who had been a
victim to the mysterious piekpocket.
Mrs. R, with whom | was ac
quainted, received me kindly, and
eagerly gave me all the information in
her power. Her loss was large di-
amond breast-pin, of which she gave
me concise description also gold
locket, taken from her eldest daugh-
ter, containing the portrait of her de-
ceased husband BY her kindness /
was introduced to several others, who
had lost articles in the way ofbroaches,
earrings, necklaces, etc. Some of
these had been lost at the Academy,
others at Grace Church.
Having obtained all this informa-
tion, sat down to consider, and found
myself about as wise as when COM
menced. One of the ladies had lost
a bracelet at the first mentioned ball,
and had loaned me the fellow to it.
This being almost the only clue, I re-
solved to work on it.
Taking list of all the pawnbrokers
in the city, | visited each one, and
made thorough inventory of their
recent iewelry receipts but could find
nothing to match my bracelet, nor ac-
cord with my description of the other
articles lost. What was to be done
l
next 2?
| asked myself this question as
was seated in the Office after my long
and fruitless search. To moment
was in the carriage again, and off tc
Mrs IS
/" What have you gained a clue al
ready ?" she exclaimed, as entered
hastily.
/" Not yet" | replied, but all il
not lost that's missing Tell me who
gives the next grand coaversationairt
in your circle ?"
Mrs. johnson"
When ?"
Tomorrow evening"