The Baltimore County union., 1883-11-24
THE BREWSTER DIAMONDS.

Nee York ysrs.
"And you say the diamonds were
very valuable?"
"Worth twenty thousand dollars, Mr..
what may call your me9" asked
Harold Brewster OF the plainly dressed
man seated upon the opposite side OF
the table.
Goldsmith" responded the man.
"Quitc common name, that but
suppose it will suffice as well as any,"
said Mr.. Brewster.
"Prcciscly."
\ short interval ofsilcnce then clasps
cd. II is quite evident that the two
a-c studying one another-Mr. Brewster
because the man is stranger, and the
latter because it is his calling.
Finally Mr.. Brewster broke the
silence by asking
"You are dctective?'
Smith acknowledged this by simply
bowing.
"And do you think, Mr.. Smith, that
YOU can help me to recover the jcwels?"
al can try"
$50 can any one try" quickly inter-
rup,cd Brewster.
"let me finish, please" said Smith,
"When try | succeed. II you wish
my services give me some points. Tell
me who the diamonds belonged to-
Give me some explicit idea as to their
form, number, and the like. cannot
work in the dark, and blindfolded, Mr..
Brewster.
"That's fact. Well, in the first
place, the jewels are old family heir.
looms. They consist of a necklace,
eardrops and pair of bracelets. All!
by the way, | can give you a better
idea by these" said Mr.. Brewster, tax.
ing from drawer box. He took the
cover off; and there, ensconced among
downy cotton was a perfect mass OF
gli,tering, shimmering jewels.
Smith uttered an ejaculation Of sur
prise as his eyes fell upon the sparkling
gems.
"You seem surprised, Smith; well,
they are pretty fair counterfeiis," said
Brewster, as he laid the diamonds upon
the table.
"Coun,erfeits, did you say?" asked
Smith, rs he bent lower to examine
them.
Precisely; they are but paste repre-,
scntations. They are the same in size
and number as the originals; were made
expressly for such an occasion as this.
! Please examine them closely, Mr.. Smith,
for by these must We recover the origi.
nals."
The detective took the pieces up one
by one and examined each closely He
counted the stones noted the quaint,
Iold.fashioned setting, which was intri'
cate, delicate, and a marvel of skilled
lhandiwork. "And you say these are
T"bogus1"
"Yes, sir. If the originals were
here you could then compare the two
SETS"
"Who usually wore the real ones9'
"My daughter, which was seldom
for she is an invalid and goes in society
but little. Poor Lucyi she does no,
even know that the diamonds are miss.
ing"
"Does not knowl What do you
mean, Mr.. Brewstcr?"
"Thc two sets are kept in a secre,
drawer in my desk at home. The
originals in plain white box; these in
a blue box, as you see."
"Precisely go on"
1 arr ,~r.~.t,lA I xx,n,,1l t.1. 80 r.-Axax
the diamonds before my daughter finds
out about the matter. You may pro-
cecd in your own manner, Mr.. Smith
il you succeed in recovering the jewels
and furnishing the thief, ! shall moi
hesitate TO reward you handsomely"
"Of course you will allow me &c
take these" said Smith, pointing to-
ward the counterfeits.
Certainly; they are only paste, '
said Mr.. Brewster, rs he laid the bogu:
Jewels back into their downy nest.
Smith took the box, rose, buttoned
his coat and turned to leave, when h,
suddenly asked as he looked over hi
shoulder
"Does your daughter know ofthe ex
istence of the bogus jewels!"
"Shc does"
"Iet me sec-you have son1" aske,
Mr.. Smith.
al have"
"Is he member of the firm ?"
"No, SIR"
"What docs he do?'
"Sir, my son is gentleman Of lei
sure"
"That's all goodnight )" and th
door closed behind the officers form.
Jack Smith was one of the best mel
on the force. He was sharp, cunning
and knew not the meaning Of the wor'
fear. As he wcnded his way from Ha
rold Brewstcr's Office he began to cogi
iate, to wonder If there was no possibl,
light ahead concerning the case il
hand. Just as he was about TO pass
jewelry store a sudden thought illumi
mated his mind. He stepped in, ant
showing the "bogus" diamonds to th
proprietor, asked him one question:
When Jack Smith emerged from tn
door strange look was upon his face
and he hugged the box more closely Il
his breast as he threaded the grea
Broadway thTong.
Erad RrewSter vas one of those Uav