Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-03-14
THE BIG DIAMOND ROBBERY.

Mr.. John Wylie was bitterly disap-
pointed. He had been in the private in
quIry business for over fifteen years, and
never before had he experienced such a
reverse 1t was an affair that had at
tracted the greatest public interest and
attention. y success in it would
have established his reputation as a
detective fosever. But he had failed
utterly and ANONYMOUSLY.
This is how the matter stood when
he was called in by Sir Henry IIeavi-
side To investigate 1t. On November
18th SIR Henry was away from home.
On that night his wife, Lady Helena,
supported 10y her father, the Marquis
Of Doltshire, had given little dinner,
which was followed by a reception.
Her ladyship had, as usual, been rather
slow IN dressing, and, wien the dinner
hour arrived, she was greatly pressed
for time. In her haste she had neg
lected 10 replace her jewels, which she
intended to put on after dinner and
previous 10 the reception IN the cafe,
and couteuted herself in locking the
door OF her boudolr and putting the
key into a drawer in her bedroom.
After dinner she found the key where
she had left it, aud re opened the door.
On opening her boudOir, she discovered,
20 her amaZement, that the window was
wide open. y moments investigation
showed her that all the jewels she had
left upon her dressing table when she
hurried down to dinner were stolen.
Their value was close upon seven
thousand pounds.
This was. repeat, how the matter
stood when Mr.. Wylie was called in,
AMI practically It was in the same stats
when, after six weeks iaborious inyeS-
tigauOn, he gave up the inquiry In
despair. He suspected much, but he
had discovered nothing. 1t was clear
70 him that the robber, whoever he
might be, was perfectly familiar with
the house and with Lady Helena's care
less ways. 1t was also clear to him
that the window found open-which
was twenty-five feet from the ground,
and which showed no evidence of
having been forced-was left open as a
ruse to mislead the detectives. He
felt quite sure that the robber had en-
tered the boudoir by means of Lady He
lena's key, and that, if he left the house
st all, he went out by the side door,
which was fastened only by a spring
lock. He was inclined, however, to
believe that the thief was one of the
household, and that the Jewels were
still In the house. Acting ON this be
lief, he searched the house from top to
bottom, examined all the servants
boxes and cuptOards, and watched
diligently all their movements; but,
after six weeks thus employed, he had
found nothing to impIicate, or even
throw suspicion on any one in particu-
10 4 Ii. ls.,E
fed.
As, one day seated in his sanctum,
he was mOurnfully turning over in his
mind the question of his failure, there
was a knock at the door.
Come in,n he cried out.
The door opened and the office boy
put IN his head.
Lady wishes to See you, SIR
"ShOW her in. "
The next moment a tall, stately,
thlcSly yelled woman was ushered into
the detectives private office. Mr..
Myle offered her a seat which she
silently accepted. As soon as the door
was shut again, she raised her veil and
showed handsome, refined face Then,
without much more ado, she intro
duced herself.
i am Lady Moodie,' she said,
VIE OF the banker sf that name"
4he detective bowed.
And l have come here" her LADY,
snip continued, ''in very great trouble,
W see II you can assist me-"
ou may rely upon it, madam" ;"
N4lu the detective, in his politest man.
.eF, that l shall use my utmost efforts
TO do so"
Will tell you," Lady Noodle went
on without noticing Mr.. Wylie's re-
marx, the whole story as shortly as
P1ssiole. Owing to my health l had TO
winter last year IN Florence. My hus-
1and business and parliamentary
uuues would not permit him to join
me While living there by myself /
met an Italian gentleman, with whom
formed rather an intimate friendship.
lou lou should know" she added hastily,
.. 'u" there was nothing improper IN
~ though much that was imprudent."
W quite believe you," said Mr..
:, Lady Noodle seemed rather irrltated
1al gratlled by this assurance.
Ahlnking" she continued after a
P0use, that he was an honorable man,
=, frequently wrote to him, and some
:. my letters-one or two of them ut
Iate-would, l am afraid, bear to
Nalous mind very different mean
,s rom that intended When 1 re-
,sueu nome, he followed me. by my
ha-uce hence he was received in society
f1a'- f-not only so, but l assisted him
IaS. time TO time with money. AT
a. us demands became too extortion-
mSa anG refused them. Then the
saole ga tSe scoundrel turned upon me,
threatened that If did not comply