The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-12-26


thought he noticed the dark figures on the
line. On the other hand, no one else had
seen any strangers Hbiui and it was argued
that If robbery merely had been the mems
object, they would not have encumberod
themselves will, ia" body Of their victim
There was no trace of struggle in the car
riage in which the dccolscd had been trav-
cling. His newspaper, aud one or two
small parcels, were untouched his hat was
on the cushion, his umbrella in the rack. Il
was MS great u mystery Us ever, at the end
of the inquiry. No one came forward to
claim the reward, nor was the Countess of
i likely ever again to set eyes upon her
magnificent suite of diamonds
Messrs. Docket aud Poole were at their
wits end. Putting aside the tremendous
loss the Countess had sustained, which they
endeavored i'll part to repair, the circum-
stances were so mysterious, and tho whole
business SO unprecedented in their expert
rience, tina: they could not bring their
minds to a calm consideration of the mat
death of their trusted clerk his peculiar be.
havior, his preseniiments and his troubled
appearance about that time, gave them food
for thought. Suppose that, after all,
Warne had not been murlered-that he had
himself made away with the diamonds, and
gone abroad with the plunder Descrip-
tions of him had been sent to every sea.
port, and copies of his photograph, with
details, forwarded to the Colonies. Tele-
! graphic notices had been sent to the Cape.
| and other places ia Africa, Asia and Ameri-
ca. The United Kingdom bristled with
amateur and professional detectives, for the
| reward of one hundred had been supple-
mented by another of five hundred pounds
for the jewels, or n portion of that sum for
! information, with pardon for any one not
the murderer if murder had been COM
mitted. 1t appeared impossible that the de-
linquent could escape. But oil this was to
no purpose, for no information could be
cleaned.
So the more than nine days wonder
died away, and the mystery remained un-
solved.
Business, however could not wait, and
AIessrs. Docket & Poole sent away their
various consignments, and promoted Jami-
son TO his old friends position. Janison
felt Warne's death keenly, for lie al
ways declared that Warne had been mur-
dered for the diamonds he carried to
| W.
About q month after his friends disap-
pearance, the Christmas.box," as the
clerks called it, was advised as being ready
for shipment, and was carried to the strong
room Of Messrs. Docket and Poole. Only
one or two of the clerks were in the secret
of this curious consignment, which was no
less an ornament than human skeleton,
SO arranged as to move upon springs, and
to clasp person in its bony arms, if the
feet were trodden upon. 1t would shake
hands if moved by certain spring at the
back, and moved its head in assent or dis
sent, according to tho wires touched by the
operator.
This ghastly toy was ordered by a firm in
South Africa, and considerable expense had
been incurred in its production aud ar
rangement. The figure was tried and found
10 work, the joints were oiled and looked to.
The skeleton was then left to itself in the
immense safe, closed by great iron doors,
which was built in the wall at the back o
the partners room in the house of Messrs
Docket, Poole and Company.
[The writer wishes to state that this skele
ton is no creation of his own brain. 1t wa
existence-so to speak-in the owner
counting house.
All hope of hearing anything concernin
Mr. Warne had bv this time been abai
doned. Events succeeded each other s
quickly in the world, and in the world {
London especially, that, except in I'll
minds of his relatives, or late associates
poor Warne was almost forgotten. Cur
osity was occasionally aroused by par
graph but in less than month after h
disappearance new sensation had take
the place of the mysterious disappearan'
and robbery of the Countess of J--'s G
monds.
But when all efforts were apparently III
availing, the mystery was Unexpected
cleared up.
On the very day that the mechanic
skeleton was deposited in the strong-roor
pending transport to the docks, Mr.. Jon
Subwaye late messenger ut Messrs. Docko
and Poole's house, came in to make j.
quiries, on behalf of his employer, rs
said, respecting certain bills of considerat
value. The young clerk in the countin
house, who had been formerly associate
with Jonas, readily gave him the inform
ton, and the man walked away satishe
But instead of proceeding to his suppose
employers residence, he took the train
short distance out of town. In SIN
house in northern suburb lie found col
panion, who was waiting his return with
concealed impatience. A conference W
succeeded by complete change of 81
ments, and as night fell the two men san
tered slowly through the streets in the
rection of the city. One carried a smt
bag, and the other well-teIupered but lig
bar of iron, which hung from button
side his coat, They appeared to be wor
men connected with u telegraph compan
for the caps which they wore bore certa
initials, which the uniniated might co
strue into an official guarantee of respec
bility.
1t was only eight o'clock when they rea
ed L. street, and knocked at the dc
of house u little from Docket & Pool
premises. A woman opened it, and {
manded their business. The answer cal
readily enough" 70 80 on the roof, to ,
anime q loose wire" After pause t
woman consulted her husband, and he of
} ing no objection, the ingenious pair
cended the stairs and passed out upon
roof. The woman seeing them safely {
of the house was satisfied, aud went do
stairs again, while our adyentu rers or,
cautiously along the parapet to the roof
the house occupied by Messrs, Docket a
Poole.
1t perhaps is scarcely necessary to info
the reader that these two gentlemen we
bound upon very bold mission, it bel
| nothing less than TO taxa UOSheSsiOn of