The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-08-18
MY FRIEND THE PROFESSOR.

Ny DEAR VANE:-A line in haste If
YOU can possibly manage it come down
here by the four o'clock train. My moth
ers diamond has been stolen. Don't
bring detective; we'll try il ourselves
first. Telegraph if you can come. Yours
in haste, III. CARGILL.
found this letter waiting for me at my
club one morning toward the end of May.
Go of course | should had nothing
particular to keep me in town; 50 by the
four O'Clock train / found myself travel
ing south in a much more lively frame of
mind than | had experienced in the
morning, endeavoring TO while away the
time with conjectures as 10 what could
really have taken place. The diamond l
knew well. Ii was truly a precious stone
not only for its intrinsic worth, but also
from the fact that il had been given by
an Indian Rajah to Mrs. CaIYill's father,
and. further. it WAS the last gift Of par
ent whose memory was loved by all who
had known him. Mrs. Cargill wore it
plainly set in gold as a brooch, and wore
it more frequently than perhaps most
women would have thought il wise to air
so valuable treasure.
Nv friend lived with his mother and a
little sister in quaint old house with
considerable grounds, in a very quiet and
unpretending manner The nearest vii
lage of any importance was at distance of
some four and half miles. Often had |
envied him the quiet peace OF his home.
His tastes were artistic, like mine, and,
with such work as he might choose to do,
and the occasional superintendent of
his family acxs, as might be necessary to
divert his attention, life must have been
very pleasant indeed.
Nv friend Harold was waiting for me
when | reached the little station about
seven in the evening, and on the drive
home | learned few more particulars.
The robbery had taken place, as far as
could be judged, either during the night
before last or on the preceding day, The
house and the effects Of the servants had
been searched without avail, and Harold
had only awaited my arrival before tax
ing further steps We talked the matter
over at great length both on our way
home and after dinner. That one Of the
servants was guilty seemed 10 me quite
evident. but | could convince neither of
the Others on this point.
Mrs Cargill left us soon TO our wine.and
| continued my endeavors without avail
to prove 70 harold that strict measures
should at once be taken with all the ser
wants. He contended that thorough
search had already been made
MY dear fellow" said at length,
YOU should have allowed me TO use my
discretion in the matter, and | would have
brought YOU down a French detective or
two"
And what would your detectives have
done Made up nice story, impiicating
one or all Of the servants, and probably
the gardener as an outdoor agent, but not
found the diamond Now, where is the
use of investigations unless We recover
the diamond ?"
A happy thought struck me as he spoke.
g If your object, Harold. is entirely the
recovery Of the diamond and not the pun
ishInent of the thief, l have suggestion
to make and il may be- after all, that If
we discover the stone first we may learn
mere afterward. Let US have down this
great mesmerist and thought reader who
is making such a small commotion just
now. Wen tax him If he'll come1 10
conduct rs to the ssons II is probably
still in the house the robbery was dis
covered so very quickly that even with
an outside agency in the person Of the
gardener, whom grant you don't like,
it is unlikely the stone can have got 80
far as the village yet"
On this suggestion, tmade half in jest,
hall in earnest we eventually decided to
act The robbery had been discovered
the morning before, and the servants had
since then been pretty closely watched,
~ that, after further talk, which, it is
needless to say, went over and over the
same ground at least score of times,
each of Us attempting to prove'to himself
and to the other that detective work was
what providence had severally meant for
us, we came to the determination that we
would ask the great thought reader, Prof
iandley, 10 come to our assistance.
The greatest secrecy Of course was nee
essary. Not even Mrs Caryill should
know at first who our visitor really was
for our only hope of success hay in the
chance that If one of the servantswas the
thief the stone might still be hidden in
the house, or perhaps buried in the
ground outside, till il could with greater