The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-04-15


below. The heavy iron door of the large
vault in which the banks funds were stor-
ed stood wide open, affording a view of the
interior, which presented a scene of con-
fusion not unfamiliar to my eyes. Books
and papers lay upon the floor in every di-
rection, where they had been thrown after
having gratiied the curiosity of the burg
lars.
1 stopped to pick up "a crumpled docu-
ment that lay at my feet, and as did so,
the sparkle of a gem, heretofore concealed
by the paper.caught my eye. With quick
motion of the hand picked the stone from
the floor and held it concealed in the palm
ofmy hand while / perused the document,
more for the purpose of concealing the ex-
ultation felt at having gained so important
clue, than for any other reason.
Having glanced at several other papers
similar to the one l had first picked up, l
began thorough search Of the vault,
which proved fruitless; but the diamond in
my possession was sufficient foundation on
which to weave network of circumstantal
evidence.
"Well, SIR" queried the president, as
signified my intention of returning above,
"have you discovered anything that would
be likely to aid you in bringing the Williams
to grief?"
nodded.
"Ah! Then you will have no difficulty
in bringing the authors of this deed to JUS
tice 2"
None whatever"
"Good 1 am glad to hear You say
that. Only catch the perpetrators and they
shall be prosecuted to the full extent of the
law p And he brought his cane down as
if to give force to his utterance.
" You may possibly have occasion to re-
tract that assertion" I mentally added, as
1 made a few notes in my diary.
Having no further business at the bank
took my departure and went direct to a
celebrated jewelers. establishment in
Somers street. The proprietor of the store
knew me, and intuitively guessing my bust
ness, conducted me to his private office.
"Well, Tracy, what's upP" he inquired,
when we had become seated.
"Nothing unusual" replied. "You
have heard Of the Clifton Bank robbery, I
presume"
"The Clifton Bank? All yes, did
hear some one remarking about it. There
was no account Of it in the morning pa
pers."
"No, believe not. The affair was not
discovered in time for the reporter to get
hold of it. Well, sir, the bank has been
robbed to the tune of fifteen thousand dol
lars, and am engaged on the case"
"Huml indeed Hope you will catch
the rascals, old boy. Dreadful state of
things to exist in a small city like this, -
and the little man twisted uneasily in his
chair.
Not SO bad as you may imagine. BE
calm, my friend the parties that robbed
the Clifton Bank will not be likely to pay
you visit"
"Ah hope your surmises are correct;
but pray tell me your reasons for thinking
as you do"
Certainly. In the first place, the bank
robbery is the work of one man, and he is
not professional burglar in the second
place, that man cares more for gaeenbacks
than he does for gold ornaments, and would
not plunder your place for all there is in IT,
in fact this very same party owned dia-
: mond, but threw it away rather than carry
it around with him. 1t is very pretty, is il
not ?"
And held the stone up to him.
The jeweler took it, examined it closely,
and returned it to me, with the remark:
at is, as you remark, very pretty
stone, and, might add, very valuable fol
a gem Of its size. That is your clue, pre-
I sume?"
Yes; the only clue happen to possess
Now, then, am anxious to find the ring Il
: which this stone belongs, and will you please
allow me to see the rings that have beer
left here for resetting since the robbery
: With pleasure. Excuse me one mo
} ment."
And my friend disappeared, returning, &
minute later, with number of rings on
tray, which he placed on table, and begar
to examine the labels attached.
"S Some Of these rings have been in oul
possession number Of days. All here Il
one received this morning. Jan. 11-dia
mond setting-E Baker"
And he read the inscription.
} I took the diamond from his hand, ant