Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-10-10
LOST DIAMONDS.
The Story o; III. Did Detective.
IsY Fl. c. FULTON.

very CoMpllGAt0A, uyStcIAouG ouu ia
citing cases: but when you ask me
about strange case, can give you one
that is not very old.
II was cold day, and the ground
was covered with snow, when q servant
entered my Office and handed me let
ter written by lady for whom had
done business. / will call her Mrs.
Harris. for she is prominent woman in
New York society, and 1 don't care to
give her true name: She is very
wealthy, and lives on Fifth Avenue.
The letter informed me that her
diamonds had been stolen, and asked
me- to accompany her servant to her
house al once. looked at the servant,
and fell to thinking, without being in
any apparent hurry. 1t don't do for q
detective to be too much in hurry.
Something may be overlooked, if he is.
OF course, as yet knew nothing of the
particulars, but before me stood man
who might have had an opportunity to
steal the jewels.
Cant you Gomez" asked the man.
"Were you told that 1 was to go with
you?" said, quickly, and looked him
straight III the face.
"No, only thought SO, he answered.
knew that he was lying.
I looked at the envelope that he had
brought tome, and could see that
it apparently had been opened with the
point of pencil and then sealed again.
1 thought that he was entirely too in
quisitive.
then bundled up, and, going to the
street, entered carriage in waiting,
and was soon in Mrs, Harris drawing
room.
When she entered 1 asked her to
give me the full particulars, which she
did by saying: Il knew it was very
careless, but I left the diamond ear
rings on the table in the hull last night,
wrapped in my handkerchief, and this
morning the handkerchief was found
Oh the floor, but the diamonds we're
gone"
Are you sure that you left them
there?" asked.
yes, certain" she said.
"How did you happen to do SOP" I
inquired.
at was just this way" she answered.
CAS- l got from the carriage last night
after the theater, caught one of the
earrings in the lace On my sleeve, and
couldn't unfasten it until l came into
the light of the hall, and, to loosen it, L
had TO take it from my ear. When it
was out thought would take out the
other one, which did Then wrapped
them both in my handkerchief and laid
it Oh the table beside my fan. When
1 retired forgot about the diamonds,
and now they are gone"
"Who saw you place them there?" I
asked.
"No one."
"Who was first in the hall this morn.
ing?"
esther William, tie man [ sent for
you, or Mary, who sweeps on this floor
But dear me! would never suspect
eiti,er OF them," she answered.
Yet they may be able to give infor-
nation that will aid mo. Send for
William" said.
don't believe that I had SO much
confidence in William as Mrs. Harris
had
When William came allowed him to
stand for a moment before spoke, and
he appeared to be very lily at ease.
Then asked: Was Mary thefirst one
in the front hall this morning?"
II think she was,r he said, sfor I saw
her there sweeping when came down.
But, | tell you, she never stole any,
ching"
was little surprised at his answer.
for had about concluded that he would
want me to think that Mary had taken
the jewels.
"Have you searched for the dia-
monds?" l asked.
Indeed. we all did, and poor Mary
has been crying her eyes out because
she might be suspected"
w. Send her here" said.
Mary came. and it was quite apparent
that she bad been crying; but I have
p had considerable experience with wo-
mems tears. She said that when she
won't to sweep the hall she found the
handkerchief on the floor, but saw
nothing of the diamonds; and that she
was still sweeping when William passed
her on his way to clear the snow from
the front walk.
l concluded that Mary knew nothing
about the diamonds, but was not quite
SO sure of William.
did William go to the tablet" I in
quired.
mo-" she said. aHe walked apast it.
on his way to the door"
Did he pick up the handkerchief for
your"
"No, he did not, had picked it up
before he came. He didn't pick up any
thing. And if he had picked up the
diamonds he would have said 49,"
The girl was evidently shrewd enough
to see the purpose Of my questions.
And her very shrewdness aroused my
suspicion.
aNow, Mary" said, "do you say that
William passed through the hall wish
out stopping?"
No, I DON'T" she answered, and I
noticed little color come to her
clsp,ks. ~.
What did he stop for?" asked.
Perhaps because he wanted to-" she
answered, snappishly.
Mary" said Mira. Harris, @you must
answer the question. II William