The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-08-18

reau."
"Did you ever carry the keyw
"No, the key was kept in small
drawer OF the mirror frame, which sat on
the bureau; it was seldom locked"
| was now satisfied with my informa-
tion, and, having carefully noted it,
down, and cautioned her to say nothing
of the interview, bade her be of go0d>
cheer, and took my leave.
The trial came off soon after, and in
my Israelite disguise, l took my place
among the audience. Mr.. and Mrs. Will
son were both in Court, as witnesses.
An anxious spectator, whom took care
to keep in close companionship, was
Frank Clifford. The prosecution pro-
ceeded to the investigation, and placed
Mr.. Wilson on the stand. That gentle
! man knew nothing at all OF the affair; he
had not seen his wite's jewels for year;
had no right 70 suspect the character OF
| the girl; always thought her honest, in
telligent, and unassumiug, and had
nothing 10 say against her. Mrs. Will
sons testimony was more pointed. She
had seen her jewels in the casket two
days before the robbery; Clara was the
only one who had access to her room;
she was permitted there at all times,
and knew wnere the key 70 the casket
WAS kept; she had often admired the
better circumsta tances, was fond oil dress
Ing.
What effect this testimony had upon
the Court is not exactly known. 1t was
purely circumstantial, and no Court IN
the land would have convicted her, if
the otfense had been but pins worth.
A new witness, however, was now called
for.
Crank Cliford!" called the orier of
the court.
Inoticed that he turned pale and be-
came agiLated, as he moved from my
side. He took his place upon the stand,
and, after being duly sworn, the court
proceeded to question him. The testi-
mony elected was purely vindictiVe.
| lie was casual visitor at Wilson's
mouse, he SAID; had often seen the GRIM
inal, Clara Wilmer, there, as well as on
| Broadway. He thought that she dressed
| too eXtravagant for Que Ill her position;
he had often seen her gazing obviously
upon the jewels, when worn by Mrs.
| WILSON,; haunt the least doubt that the
girl hau taken them, from mere love OF
| display.
Tuis closed the prosecution; the de-
tense had little 10 say. The guPs PIE
yious character was proven to be unim-
peacnaDle; her clothes and trunks had
been searched since the robbery, and no
trace of the. missing jewels had been
found. 1t was proven by anotAer serv.
ant that she had not left the house since
two days previous to the robbery, and
could, therefore, have no opportunity to
dispose Of them. This was all.
/ The Court seemed to be in fog. Cir
cumstances were somewhat against
Clara, yet not strong enough to convict
Iher. Her calm and modest Qemeauog,
| in mir fhn triui EppmAH n
enlisted the sympathies Of the judge
that he wished TO send her forth Tree
from all taint. | determined that such
should be the case. Taking out my IL ote-
book, | hastily wrote the oilow wing lines,
and pas sed them, through one OF my aids,
to Lne Court:
"Reserve your decision until twelve O'Clock
Tomorrow, aud | VIII produce the real thief
The girl is Iunoc5nt BRANDON"
The judge Immediately dismissed the
case until the required hour, and direct
ed The prisoner w be placed III the care
of an officer instead OF returning her to
The cell. The tears gusneu into Clara's
eyes, AS she neard this; IN passing her,
Whispered l II word OF encourag 4ment in
neruar and the look OF gratitude she
gave me was a rlcAreWard. 1 now looked
at the notes which had taken from the
book. They read as follows:
NOTE 1.-"Frank Clifford, in the en-
plo. OF ButterWeil u Co., 4ry goods mer-
chants, No. - Broadway, salary 81 200
per annuai; a fast young man; CANDLES,
drinks, glyes suppers, and Is eA very
intimate terms Win Mrs. Wilson, No. -
Tnirty seventh street,"
NOTE 2.-"Frank Clifford, clerk, en-
terea A IS pawn Office, No. - Chat
ham street. on the evening of March ID;
! J.I. Ni,ft,N /, ,I,.,l
Iosl 300 AT house on Broadway"
1 at once proceeded to the office Of the
pawGbroker aud inquired about the jew
els. Iney were there, and | look down
a description OF the person who had left
them. I took the jewels with me, as
was my right, and returned TO the su.
eriDtendenps Office. A lew moments
eXplanatI0n served 10 reveal tU MIN the
exact position OF affairs.
1t will not do" ne said. "to eXDOse
this woman; but her husband must be
informed OF ner treacbery; he is too no.
Die nature to he made the victim of a
guilty., hearttess wife. Get upou Gill;
fOrd's track ut once; follow aim during
the day, aud arrest him at the earliest
pleasure. Vne jewels viii be kept here
until the trial Tomorrow"
Such were the superintenden.'s
l
to alter them. Ny duties until The hour
of trial we're simply to keep Clifford IN
der surveillance. Dropping into nls
store, nail-au-1our after, l found him
| within, and satisfied that he was safe,
lett him there. AT night 1 was intro
duced 10 him in ME dress and appear
auce Of western merCnant, and IN
company we visited the different places
OF amusement. gambling houses, etc,
ana l persuaded MIN to snare my room
AT the Grand Central, over night. We
parted OH the following morning, with
the agreement to meeL ASK i'll the even
lug.
> At twelve o'clock l was in the as.
sembled court i'll my plain, professional
capacity. 1he parties were all present
as The previous day, and u glance from
Clara Luld me that she was hopeful. The
Witnesses were all called within the
bar; aud among them, biz. Frank Clil-
lord.
'Is there any more testimony for the
prosecuuon?' asked the JUICE.
There was negative reply, and the
defense was begun by Calling Frank
clifford 70 the stand.
Would you know the jewels, Mr.. Cliff
: ford, should you see them again p asked
The counsel.