The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-05-11
The Diamond Necklace.
Every Other Saturday,

Stlll, lnOugn now only as special partner, OF
the firm OF Down & Co., jewellers and silver
smiths, not TAR from the corner of Oxford
and Regent streets, London. Our house
was an old and well-established one, having
been in existence since the latter part of he
last century.
1t was bleak November afternoon at a
little past O'Clock, that the Earl of N,
one of our most respected customers, en-
tered the shop and asked to be shown some
diamond necklaces. We die not, of course,
keep large assortment of such expensive
articles in setting, purchasers generally pre-
ferring to have the diamonds they selected
set according to their own taste or faucy:
but at that time we had two in stock, which
the earl, after examining, requested tohaye
sent to his house in b square, for his
vile, the countess, to examine and perhaps
select from. He added that it would be
favor if they could be sent to her that after
noon, as she was at home and disengaged.
In view Of tie value OF the articles,-thev
amounted to in the neighborhood of $4,000
4 felt unwilling to trust them TO the care
of an employee; so as soon as some other
necessary matters had been attended 10, l
hailed cab, aud with the jewelry in my
possession, both necklaces having been
placed for convenience in one case, or
dered the cabmau to drive me to the earfs
residence.
remember it was $3.50 when arrived,
and that / was obliged TO wait nearly half an
hour before the countess was at leisure TO
receive me, owing, she graciously said apollo
gizingly, to an unexpected matter of impor-
lance that had detained her. The examina-
ton of the jewels, conversation as TO reeet-
ting, aud other matters connected with
purchase, consumed the time till nearly
O'Clock, so that when left the house it was
quite dark; and after getting into my CAB
and being rapidly driven 10 oura place of
business, found my partner and the clerks
had departed for the night, and the safe
locked ~oliy a book-keeper and the watch
man being left behind. was about to
open the safe and deposit the jewels in it,
when it suddenly flashed across my mind
that in my haste to catch a train that morn
ing had accidentally left my keys at home.
was living with my wife at that time in
R, few miles across the river out of
the city, in rented villa, having been lately
married and not as yet decided upon per-
manent residence. The villa was located
in what is now thickly settled neighbor-
hood, with water, gas, police, and the vari-
Gus city conveniences; but at that time,
nearly 20 years ago, it was rather sparsely
settled, aud was what might be called re-
tired neighborhood.
Here was dilemma. 1t was already past
the time at which usually left business 20
walk to my train, the only one which would
take me direct to my home for an hour and
a half; knew that my wife, who is at times
rather nervous, would be anxious ii did
not arrive by the usual train;I dared not
leave the jewels without locking them in the
safe, and my partners resided at quite dis
lance and in the opposite direction from
mine; besides. might not find them at
home if went in search of their keys.
What shall do? | must decide quickly
80, after rapidly running over the case in my
mind, determined to take the jewelry home
with me, thinking the risk for one night
would not be great.
Railing, then, another cab, was hurried
off to the Victoria station, just arriving in
time for my train; and duly arrived home to
meet with glad greeting from my wife, and
to find a bright seacoal fire and good dinner
awaiting me.
During dinner my wife recoaUted to me
her days experiences. She had been to the
city shopping, and the conversation ran in
light vein on various subjects, ill he ser
want waiting upon us, man whom l had
lately engaged, having brought coffee, and
placed cigarettes and taper before me-
my wife always liked when we were alone to
sit at table with me over cup of coffee
while smoked an 8tter-dinner cigarette
left US; when, knowing the feminine fond
ness for diamonds, / produced from
an inside pocket the jewel case; and
while my wife was admiring the necklace,
with bright eyes and many an exclamation
at their beauty, recounted to her the events
of the afternoon in explanation of my bring
ing the diamonds home with me. She had
lust clasped one of the circlels around her
neck and was standing before the pierglass
in full blaze of light to enjoy the effect, when
q slight tap on the door near her, immediate
" followed by the entrance of our serving
man, caused her to start, put her hand to
her neck, and utter a nervous exclamation,
which might well have attracted attention to
the necklace, aside from the brilliant effect
naturally produced by the jewels them
selves.
The man had only come to ask leave of
an hour or two; and thought felt annoyed
myself at his unexpected entrance, yet /
could see nothing in his action to complain
of, or anything startling 10 the affair, and
laughed at my wife's very apparent nervous
ness. | should say here that the case, hold,
ing the other necklace, rested upon the din
ing table, but happened to be closed.
During thu evening after replacing the
jewels in the case, and safely returning the
same to my pocket We read and conversed
awhile in the library; and at about IL ocfck
rose to retire,
Just before ascending to our apartments,
however, at my wife's suggestion. and in
her company went about The lower story
of the house inspecting the doors and win
dogs to see that all was secure, though
usually J had left the duty to servant.
Everything seemed securely fastened except
one window, which, opening to the floor
from small room called for convenience
the conservatory,-Lhough displaying rather
ameagre assortment of flowers, opened on
back piazza and thence TO small garden
with low wall enclosing it. The catch,
as it is called, upon this window was de-
fectiye; and by slight jarring easily became
loosened, so l secured the window as
thought by inserting nail in the fastening,
Nv wife did not seem to think it secure
even then, but laughed at her apprehen-
sions; and shortly afterward, az about II
o'clock, as have said, we retired.
Nv wlfe's dressing-room opened off mine,
and while she was disroDing, the thought
occurred to me that perhaps our man-ser-
yant,-I have said he was new in my service
might be tempted by the glittering jewels
he had seen in the dining room. He had
been spending the evening out; what might
he not have told about these jewels! What,
too, if some one in the city has watched my
movements, and perhaps followed me here !!
remembered several servants passing. to
and from The room while was at Lord
Ms.
Rejecting ia this vein it suddenly oc-
Cured to me that had seen In the bureau
of the room occupied case of cheap brit
liants that my wife had worn not long since
in some tableaux given ia aid Of charity.
She had appeared as one Of the maids in
waiting to an Indian princess or some such
role. What if l should put the necklace be.
longing to that set into the jewel case and
conceal the real diamonds between the mat
tresses of my bedp
A good idea, thought /, and Immediately
acted upon it. then placed the jewel case
with it's comparatively worthless contents,
beneath my pillow, and locking the door
leading from my room into the hall, retired,
and almost Immediately. and without again
seeing my wife, fell asleep. slept soundly,
for had been very busy during the day and
was much fatigued.
Rather earlier than usual l was awakened
next morning by feeling a cold draught o
air upon me, and at once leaped from The
bed on discovering that The door which
had fastened on retiring was open.
Calling loudly to my wife pulled from
the bed the pillow beneath which bac
placed the jewel case.
1t was gone!
With frau,hlino bonda I next dashed aDar