The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-17
"How long have the mysterious plum

"Humph! and an odd coincidence,
but about the same length of time"
"Has the Countess Rustanovitch ever
suffered thereby?'
The deuce! l sh ould say so. She has
even now suit against US for damages,
| together with many others. Twice, on
the van being opened at Odessa, has
one or another of her boxes, with nu-
merous others, been found broken open
and ransacked."
This piece of information did not
weaken a certain suspicion, which had
suddenly come into my brain. and my
plan of action was already decided on.
"noV uUos sna6 pacKago cunualur 4.
asked, pointing to long box of new,
implanted wood.
"a cofin.''
"What! Pray explain"
ut contains a rich burial casket,
which is being shipped by some wealthy
Jews for the remains of the Rabbi
Joseph Smoleskinski, so famous and es-
teemed in Southern Russia, and who
died in Odessa some days ago."
us it to go by the van?"
mo; as freight"
''It shall 60 in the through van, and
with myself inside of it. Listen now,
Herr Moyenstein, to my instructions,
and be careful that they are carried out
to the letter."
He had stared at me, but was quickly
enlightened as proceeded to give my
instructions; and while these were be-
ing carried out In their preliminaries
hurriedly telegraphed in cipher GER
tain data and memoranda of great i'm
portance to the Chief of the Criminal
Secret Service in Odessa.
Ten minutes later 1 occupied the
burial casket intended for the rabbits
remains and was speeding southwark
as one of the chief features, external
ly, at least, of the contents of the locked
and sealed luggage van.
Luckily, was small man, while the
casket was designed for very large and
corpulent body.
Still, l had no notion of remaining in
such quarters any longer than was nee
essary, and, therefore, speedily set N.Y.
self at liberty and began to- take in the
situation.
A thousand miles or thirty hours
journey, was before me, but was not
unprepared for the emergency.
There had been room for provisions
and wine in the casket.
l had effected my release with little
or no noise.
The van was but dimly lighted by
some stout Stats or blinds over each
side sliding door.
The interior was stacked two-thirds
full of travelling paraphernalia of every
description.
My own receptacle had been slowed
on the top of pile of stuff in the re-
hottest corner, by my special instruc-
tons.
After seating myself on the top of my
wooden case and accustoming my eyes
to the dim light I looked searchingly
around for the red chest.
There it was, also on top of heaped
luggage at the opposite end of the van,
with its smaller and less pretentious
companion chest at it's side.
| That it had not been thrust in under
meath or at random was doubtless the
result of surreptitious fee to one of
the porters on the part of the Countess
or one of her servants
How long and patiently I watched
that red chest!
1t must have been for hours and
hours, but held out.
At last / detected the sound of a
movement within it, and noiselessly
slipped behind my burial case, while
still keeping on the lookout
A few moments later the false straps
surrounding the chest-I had marked a
sham in their construction when first
setting eyes on it-gave way, the great
lid was raised and bushy human head
peered out from the interior
Then there were shoulders added to
the head, then body, until at last the
entire robber-yes, the mysterious dep
redator himself-rose into view and be-
gan to take in his surroundings with a
practiced eye.
He was small man, yet seemingly a
concentrated bunch of muscle, sinew
and nerve.
The requisite tools were in his hands,
and after stretching himself he proceed
ed upon his vandalism with methodical
calmness and experiences, as if perfectly
aware that there was plenty of time.
Box after box, trunk after trunk was
ruthlessly broken open and discrimi-
nately rifled, after being judiciously Sc
lected from among those of less promis-
ing and encouraging general appear
ance.
In his special choice of plumber the
rascal was no less critical, with par
ticular penchant for jewelry, laces, fans,
else of the sort came in his way; and
these he would carefully stow away in
his red chest, with due regard for re-
serving enough room for his own ac-
commodation when he should see fit
to resume his hiding, which would
probably be when near the journeys
end.
He even smashed open his own COM
panion chest, turning it's rather insig
pifcant contents upside down, which
was, of course, merely to serve as q
blind.
He had continued his work uninter-
ruptedly for couple of hours when he
desisted, and, making himself comfort
able, proceeded to refresh himself with
some biscuits and flask of liquor,
which he drew from the bosom of his
| coarse serge blouse.
began to pick my way down towards
him with the stealthiness of cat.
In spite of my precautions I displaced
. valise and set it rolling.
Knife in hand, he was on his feet In
II instant
But, with the fall of the valise, had