Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-03-02
THE THREE GREENS.
A Detectives Story.

shortly alter the Crlmean war, an IN
dividual whose right arm was incased in
splints and hung in sling entered o
magnificent jewelry shop, the proprietor
of which was Mr.. James Green. The
stranger had that in his appearance
which is generally styled disttngue; his
carriage and garb revealed tho military
veteran, and his manners the finished
gentleman. At the door halted an ele-
giant cabriolet, and the good taste of its
owner was made apparent by the plain
but neat livery of the groom, and the
choice trappings of the handsome blood
ed horse.
The stranger stated that he was desir-
ous of procuring complete silver table
service, rich, solid and elegant, but with
little ornamentation. Could Mr.. Green
prepare such one for himP The gold
smith answered, of course, in the affirm
ative, and showed several patterns to
his visitor, who then described very
minutely the style in which he wished
the articles to be made, and asked by
what time they could be got ready. At
the same time he insisted on punctual-
ity, saying he must use the set at re-
ception he would soon give at his new
residence in Leicester Square. Green
promised to have it done in three weeks,
and then the two parties discussed the
terms.
The jeweller very carefully made all
his calculations, and. demanded 91200,
The stranger reflected few moments.
then said he had determined upon get
ting service at a cost of G1500, and
requested Mr. Green to add as many
more pieces to the set as would fix the
price at that sum. Mr.. Green thanked
the gentleman for this mark of conf
dence, and inquired of him to whose
recommendation he owed his patron
age.
mo one has recommended you to
me-" replied the stranger.
The jeweler looked up in surprise. The
stranger, who had hitherto worn an air
of dignity almost amounting to auster-
ity, now became more friendly, and con-
tinued:
II am soldier. l have served for
years in India, and more recently in the
Crimea. At Balaklava l received Sc
we're wound in my right arm and hand,
which will perhaps disable the member
for life. My patronage you owe to
your parents, grandparents, and, in
fact, to the whole line of your ancest-
ors.''
The jeweller was amazed and bewild-
cred. His parents, and other ancestors,
had long been dead and could not have
referred the soldier to him. The latter
apparently enjoyed Mr.. Green's pcrplex-
ity, and smilingly continued:
II will make myself clearer. When,
in consequence of this unfortunate
wound'' here sudden twinge in his
arm made him start painfully-'I was
compelled to leave the service, resolv-
ed to settle down in London. While
riding out, the other day, my attention
was attracted by the appearance of your
splendidly-furnished shop, but more SO
by the name of your sign, for mine il
precisely the same. 10 this simple
circumstance You owe the present visit
of ColonelJ James Green, of the Grenadier
Guards
The jewcllcr expressed his delight at
the honor of being the namesake of so
distinguished q warrior, and after few
more phrases of this sort the conversa-
tion reverted to the business in hand.
''May now inform you," said the
jeweller, with some hesitation. ''of the
conditions which must generally be
complied with previous to making
salep'
mo-" said the colonel, sharply, Il
have my way of doing business. You
and do not know each other; and al
though my order is not an uncommonly
large one, still it amounts to sum with
which you cannot credit stranger.
will, therefore, pay you f1O0 cash down,
for q surety; the remaining 91400 when
I call for the service
Mr.. Green accepted the profTer with
profuse thanks.
'You need not thank me-" the officer
interrupted. GAS remarked, always
have way of my own, from which
never like to deviate. Now do me the
favor, and take my portemonnaie from
my coat-pocket; my unfortunate Balak-
lava wound'-the colonel again WINGED
with pain-"has famed my right arm
and hand completely"
Mr.. Green expressed his sympathy in
the warmest terms, carefully pulled the
portemonnaie from the veterans coat
pocket, opened it, at the latter's desire,
and from four or five new E1O0 notes
took one, which the colonel requested
him to keep. Mr.. Green wrote off re-
Ceipt. and placed it in the pocket-book,
which he very carefully restored to its
resting-place. He then assisted the
colonel to enter the carriage, and the
groOm-Colonel Green could not drive,
on account of his injured arm-rapidty
drove off in the direction of Leicester
Square. The jeweller, though much
overjoyed was cautious business man,
and, Notwithstanding the considerable
deposit, proceeded to make his safety
ecrtsin.
In the "War List he readily found
ehe name and rank of his customer, lust
as he had been given; and from the es-
sate agent, who rented out the splendid
mansion in Leicester Square, he had as.
isertained that it had recently been oc-