, 1861-05-30
A petective's Narrative.

l
on Court Square, engaged in reading the Boston
Herald, heard the Chief Marshal Tukey's bell
tinkle rather excitedly. 1t was answered by
| the porter.
"Send Holmes to me-" next reached my ears
through the halE.opened door.
Before the porter could repeat the order,
had passed him and was by the side Of the Mar
shal.
"St down, Mr.. Holmes" he said, as be con.
tinued making some notes in his register.
obeyed and anxiously awaited his commands.
al have q singular case before me this morn.
ing" he began, "and | am about to try your
ingenuity tO unravel it."
Ny expectations were aroused.
"On the 18th Of last month, Mr.. F. gave q
ball at his mansion in Mount Vernon street,
which was attended by nearly all the elite Of
Boston and vicinity"
III remember it," said.
"Do you remember what occurred thereT
almost every lady in the room lost some ar
ticle Of jewelry," replied.
Exactly, for which no one can account, as
the party was most select, and 1t would have been
an outrage to have suspected any one present Of
stealing in such wholesale manner"
acknowledged the justice Of his remarks
The Marshal Continued
"On the 18th Of the month, grand concert
was given at the fremont Theatre, and during
the promenades in the salon. the same thing oc-
Cured, Mrs. I. Of the fremont House, losing q
valuable diamond pin, and Mrs. y. diamond
necklace. This would not seem so singular, as
there was opportunity in the jam for the prOles-
siOnal pickpOcket, Of whom Boston contained q
few; but the remarkable feature was that no
gentlemen were robbed all who suffered were
ladies'"
THAT is indeed singular" replied.
paFhnnS rpnlipl tho Marshal in n duhiong
tone. "Now for the last event Yesterday
morning, as you have probably heard, Mr., q.
was welded to the daughter Of Col. W., at
Trinity Church, on Summer street. The assem-
bly, was large, and composed entirely Of the ton.
The bride cceived the congratulations Of her
friends, and left the church, but had not reached
the carriage, when she suddenly discovered that
one OF her bracelets was gone. A search was
Immediately made in the church, but it was no.
where to be seen. Then came another and
anothe- cry from various parties-al ladies-who
had lost one or another article Of jewelry."
was getting excited.
"What are your cOnclusiOnsp" asked,
al would first have heard yours" remarked
Tukey, looking at me closely, as though TO test
NY psDsS-~s:"S
/ reflected moment, and could form but one
opinion.
%Thyre must be some person" said |, "ngur-
old practical adept in the lifting profession.
- very proper conclusion" said the Mar
shal, smiling at my simplicit "but let US de.
termine on something. For instance, is It man
or q wOmanl"
"Most likely woman" !" remarked. "as none
but women sutf red from the thief's adroit prac-
tice."
"That would be the first conclusion, said the
Marshal; but on the other hand, a man might
perform the deed, eontining his practice to e.
males only 10 throw the blame upon one Of
them"
/ acknowledged the possibility Of his sugges-
ton, though it had but little effect upon me.
"You now have the particulars" continued
the Marshal "l give you one week to solve the
mystery aud bring the adept to justice. Here is
list Of the principal losers. You can take
your own course as to what plans you shall fol-
low: Good morning" s7egEg1 -1tsS
knew this case had been placed in my hands
as test Of my skill, and resolved, if within
human ingenuity, To compass it 1t was most
singular case-Oecurring as it did in the very
heart and centre Of the first society. twas i'm
possible to accuse any one OF suspicion there
must be proof positive before word could be
uttered. How was il TO be o tainedp
sat down and thought seriously, lAying out
my plans as grasPed each point Of the case;
then arose to act.
Dressing myself in the very hight Of fashion,
| took q carriage and drove 10 the house Of Mr..
T. l found him at home, and stating my vocar
ton and purpose, was invited into the library.
al fear you have assumed fiuilless task,
Mr.. Holmes, he said, when we were seated.
Iexpresscd my conviction Of success
How do you intend to prOceedP" he in
quircd.
remarked that should be governed by cir
cumstances; and desired full list, or as near as
possible, Of all the guests on the evening Of the
ball. He went out for q few minutes, and re-
turned, and handed me complete list, which he
had obtained from his lady. ran my eye down
the column with eager interest and many Of
the persons knew, either personally or by re.
1 putatiOn they were principally married men
\ and their fAmiliGs. Oneuame-a lady's-seemed
TO make an impression on my mind. Ihad never
heard Of her, and--though it was = hazardous
move i ventured to ask who she was.
"0h, said Mr. Madam DClauney
is an old friend. knew her husband, NJ. De-
launey, when was residing at Paris. lie was
Second lntendent Of Police, aid died during my
residence there She is an American by birth,
whom he fell in love with while on . visit 10 Paris,
with her father, New York merchant. She Is
very beautiful and amiablc."
| This disarmed me, for knew another ques
ton would give offence, and his report was en-
tirely satisfactory. next asked the names Of
a few persons who had lost jewelry. He put
their names on paper. ] took my leave with
many expressions Of good viii, aud hopes Of
4 success frIm the old gentleman.
\ Ny next visit was to the residence Of one Of
the ladies who resided In Beacon street, who
had been = victim to this mysterious pickpockeL
Mrs, p, with whom was acquainted, received
me kindly, aud eagerly gave me oil the inGOrma-
\ ton in her power. Her loss vas q large dia.
\ mond breastpin, Of which she gave me concise
description also gold lOcket, taken from her
daughter, containing miniature portrait. BY
her kindness Was inlrodaecd to several others,
whO had al los, Articles in The way q brooches.