Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-09-02
lyon need not trouble Mr. N

lrishman, whose answers 10 my question:
were given in such straight. forward
manner that | at once exonerated him
from all blame.
"You lock up after the clerks have
gone home do you not?" inquired
looking the man in the eyes.
"Yes. sometimes l does. an some.
times dosn't," was the laconic answer.
when do you not ?"
when Mr.. " worruks very
late nights, as has been the case much
oIate."
"Did You lock up last night ?'
"Yis. sir. whats more. tried every dure
allerward"
AT what time did you lock lha, door"
and pointed toward the front entrance.
well, as near as / can recollect. half
past seven
"Are you sure you shot the bolt INTO
its socket ?"
Aye could swear that | locked
that dure an left ii locked"
"How about the windows did you
Iasten them as well?"
"Iis, livery wan ov them"
Very good. sir; you may go now.
it you like" and turned to the prcsi.
dent.
Now then. Mr. i. with your
permission. will investigate matters
below stairs"
The gentleman conducted me To the
vault below. The heavy iron door of The
large vault in which the banks funds
were stored. stood wide open, afrording
view which presented n scene OF con
fusion not unfamiliar TO my eyes Books
and papers lay upon the floor in every
direction, where they had been thrown
after gratifying the curiosity oi the bur.
glars.
/ stopped 10 pick up crumbled docu.
ment that lay at my feet. and as did so.
the sparkle OF gem, heretofore conceal.
10y the paper caught my eye. With a
quick motion OF the hand picked the
stone from the floor. and held il conceal.
ed in the palm OF my hand, while | Pc
ruSed the document. more Tor the pur-
pose OF concesling the eNultation felt
At having gained so important clue,
/ than Tor any other reason.
Having glanced at several other pa.
perS similar 10 the one had first picked
mp, | began thorough search of the
vault. which proved fruilleSs; but the
diamond in my possession was sufficient
foundation on which 10 weave network
OF circumstanlial evidence
Having no further business at the bank,
| took my departure and went direct to
celebrated jewellers establishment in
Somers ST. The proprietor of the store
knew me, and intuitively guessing my
business. conducted me to his private
Office.
We'll, Tracy, what's up ?" he inquir.
ed, when he had become seated.
Nothing unusual" replied. "You
have heard of the Clifton bank robbery.
presume ?"
The Clifton bank ? All yes. did
hear some one rcmarking abOutit. There
was no account of ii in the morning pa.
pers."
mo, | believe not. The affair was
not discovered in time tor the reporters
to get hold OF it, Well. sir. the bank
has been robbed 10 the tune of thirty
thousand dollars. and am engaged in
the case.
"lIum indeed Hope you'll catch
the raScals, old boy. Dreaded state of
things 10 exist in small city like this. ="
and the little man twisted uneasily in his
chair.
"Not so bad rs 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 cor.
rect; but pray tell me your reason for
thinking as you do"
Certainly. In the first place the bank
robbery is the work of one man, and he
is not q professional burglar. In the
second place. that man cares more for
greenbacks than he does Tor gold oma
ments and would not plumber your place
tor all there is in it. In fact, this very
same party owned diamond, but thew
it away rather than carry it around with
him. 1t is very pretty. is it not ,"
Aud held the stone up to him.
The ieweller took il. examined it close
! ly. and returned it to me. with the re-
mark, a very pretty stone. and ] might
add. very valuable for gem of its size.
That is your clue. | presume ?"
"Yes, the only cue l happen TO pos.
sess. Now, then. am anxious 10 find
the ring to which this stone belongs. and
you will please allow me to see the rings
that have been left here for resetting
since the robbery"
with pleasure. Excuse me one mo-
ment.n
Ny friend disappeared. Returning, q
minute later, with number of rings on
tray, which he placed on table. he
began to examine the labels attached.
"Some of these rings have been in our
possession number of days. All here