, 1861-03-29

came another and another and another cry
from various parties-au 1adtes-Who had
lost one or another article Of jewe1ry, with an.
occasional portmonnale."
Was getting excited.
aWbat are Your conclusions :" asked.
"Iwould first havo heard yours,n said the
chief, looking at me closely, as though to test
my penetration,
reflected moment, and could form but
one opinion
4TneHe muAt be some person." said I, "dg-
urins ut present In fashionable society, Who
is second Babbington in the Nteting profess
SION"
"a very proper conclusion" said the chief,
smiling at nv simplicity. "Bnt let US deter
mine Something: For instance, is 1t man or
woman?'
tsMost likely a woman," remarked, tsas
none but women suffer from tho thief 3 most
adroft practice"
"That would be the first conclusion" said
the chief; "but, On the other hand, man
might perform the deed, combining his prac'
ttse to females only to throw blame upon one
I acknowledged the possibility Of his :sug-
gestion, though it had little effect upon me.
"You have the particulars" continued the
chief. II give You one week to solve the
mystery, and to bring the adept to Justice.
| Here is q list Of the principal losers. You
shall take your own course as to the plans You
| shall follow. Good morning.
knew that this case had been placed In my
| hands ~ q test Of my skill, and resolved, II
| within the grasp Of human ingenuity, to COM
| pass 1t. 1t WIS most singular case, occurring,
| asit did, In the very heart and centre Of the
first society; L WI: impossible TO accuse any
| one on suspicion there must be proof posi-
| tive before word could be uttered How was
it to be obtained?
/ sat down and thought seriously, laying ont
my plans, as gzaspsd at each point Of the
case. Then arose to act.
Dressing myself IN the Ver5 heignG OF iaah-
ion. hired carriage and droYe to the house
| Of the Hon. Mr. F.. I found him at home,
and stating my vocation aud purpose, Was In
vited into the library.
al fear You have assumed i fruitlesa
task, Mr. Brandoh," he said when We were
seated. --
/ expressed my conviction Of enccess.
'"How do you intend to proceed2" he then
asked.
Iremarked that should be governed By
circumstances, but desired full List, or q
near % possible, of all his guests on the eve
ming ofthe ball. Hewent out few moments
and when he returned handed INC complete
list, which he had obtained from mis- ledy.
ran my eye down the column with eager inter
est many Of the persons knew, either per
sonelly or by reputation; they were principal
II married men and their families.
One name-a lady'e-seemed to make Al
| Impression on my mind. I had never heart
| Of her, aud though It was hazaruous move
ventured to ask who she Wae. n.,..z
she lis an old friend. 1knew her husband, d
De!auney. M4sn ~ ~ Po;ice en5 die3 A.,
was second lntenaant Of fonce, ano h olg1 hiIS ~
ring my term one u ~ s1h;1a ~ ~ ~ y =
whom ne 1eu u 1--WE ta "t.u m1ue aaSoot ~ ~ a. -
Paris with hef 1a.he5, nvS.on me' sA-1n'" MI
TsIy Reap1mn anu e tor Knew another cues
Aon would give oi1ence, and Ms repors 9 ma !
perfectly satisfactory 3se aal1 ne n&'4H M
Of few persons who nEd tost leWSAy. x
marked their names On tue Paper: i taen a !og Ell
and and, hopes Of SUCCESS from tie Hon. aenf''
nia; ~ next whit va. to tho residence of til
ladle. who had been victims Of the rnysteriou
pickpocket' MT: VIII Wtn "nom aoa .soer1 W
gave al the ~ he5 RoTsaF na e
value, ofwhieh she gave ne conease @ oesGsal sa y
taa sashse sso Ell IL eafsa pes q h
ceased husband, By her kindness vas mt
duced to several otaels, WHO han lost sntto, -,
articles In the Way OF 6fooc9es. a
ona a. tha Academy s ehe "a at the We
. ding at Grace Church;
J Having obtained aA this tnfo1mat'ou, 8
, down to consider, and found myseu anoaI
wise as when commences; Cae " tno
DIES had lost nface!et az 1as nfse s,11 enttont
bali, aAe Raa loaned me ~ ai,,na+ iSug" :, ~ ~,
This pelng Liz "'aS '4o0' 'o0oA's@ ~ "~'
on It: .sx.,.,-z :, :,
laAlus . ust W u. eue r. ada . thorone
+! Inventory Of the recent 1ewelry fecelPts,
could find nothing to match ny bracsiet, =
accord with my description Of tae otner 81
cles lost. What Wos to be Done
asked myself this question as va ssst =
IF in the Office, after ny long and ituqe
search. In answer to II came an 1oeA n u
moment was In my carnage again. ana Oh
Mrs. r.. ,
"What! have you gained Gus afeaay
she exclaimed, as entered hastily:
e "Not yet," l repiied. :, Bnt AZ y not Y
q. that In missing. Tell me-" aadeo' ~
= = pivcs the next grand conservative In II
= circle p
id aMrs, Johnson" -:
"When ~ - j"
! nTo-morow evening. =, H.
LCan Fou get me oAtes de'stTssf'
"Csrtain1y."
nThen procure It. immedlateay Tor MI.
1, ! clair. q Louisiana planter OF your acqu&
ance. II Miss Belle, your daughter, NO
n1sv nv chaperone, 1t would be better for I
ID scheme,"
Il Ni;ss Belle was 3 gay, frolicking girl Of eie
IS ecn S With black eyes and merry, lsugh
~ month. was especially fond Of adventure,
~ being let into the sec1et, gaEe Pet feaay az
It It to accept my, protection fof that evening a q