The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1891-08-06
MONGOLIAN GENIUS.
Cleverness OF thu Burglars OF the
Flowery Kingdom.
Tho Singular Trick BY which Midnight
Caller Eluded the Grasp of
His Wou1d-Bc'
Captor.


my husband was, as you know, in
the Austrian diplomatic SERVICE" said
an American woman, according to the
New York Tribune, "and. of course,
the number of incidents in our varying
life has been legion. But there was
one adventure which occurred while
we were attached TO the embassy In
China that SO combined the ludicrous
with the really serious that shall never
forget It. After we were there for
about a year there occurred a grand
jubilee at the court to celebrate the
emperors birthday or some other
festive occasion, and Baron Il had
been sent from Vienna as special en-
voy to tender congratulations, etc. He,
Of course, stopped at the legation. The
night before he was to leave he re-
turned very late for dinner. could see
during the evening that he was distrait
and worried, and after other guests had
gone he conhde d to the count and my
sell his trouble. He was a nervous,
fussy little man, and was evidently
greatly disturbed. 4 have had some
Important jewels confided to my care,
he told us, to be given to our emperor
as q memento Of this occasion. To
morrow sail, as you know. in the gov
ernment steamer for home, and soon as
I am aboard ship shall not feel any
anxiety; but must confess that to-
night I am nervous-why, do not
know; but have the feeling, and I
thought would conflde It to you and
perhaps you would share my RESPONSE
bility.'
"My husband, who had inherited from
his Irish mother bold carelessness
which has often stood him In good
stead, although disastrous in this In
stance. said good-naturedly: Give them
to me, If you like. have an iron box
by my bed where lock up any impor-
tant papers that have In my room at
night, and viii keep them for you.
The baron, greatly relieved, gladly
handed over the little case that held
the costly trfnkets, and shortly after.
ward we all retired for the night. The
counts room adjoined mine, and the
last thing remember was seeing the
glim1nsY Of his light under the door as
he sat writing at his desk, finishing his
dispaAehes for the morrow. was
awakened from a deep sleep by the
noise Of scuff1e, and Immediately aft
erward the shout Of my husband, and In
few minutes the whole house was
aroused Catch tho thievesv shouted
the count, and for short time all was
In confusion, no one understanding the
why and the wherefore Of the uproar
the count In the hghtest Of attire hav
ing torn down the stairs into the court
yard. After useless pursuit he re
turned, breath1ess, to tell his story
The box was gone; that had seen al
once and had already communicated
my fears to Baron H, who had also
appeared upon the scene and who was
nearly frantic Between gasps fol
breath-for what with the excitement
and the chase my poor husband was
completely exhausted-we finally elic
tied the following facts: After he haf
put tho Jewels In the strong-box which
stood on table at the head Of his bed
he sat down at his desk and, finding tina
he had moro to do than he expected
wrote until the small hours of tn,
morning. Notwithstanding the latenes
Of the hour he was restless after HI
finally got to bed, and did not fall into
sound sleep; SO that the light noise O
the opening door aroused him at once
and BY the dim light from the hall HI
saw q mufAed figure approaching hi
bed, while another form, also shroudet
in dsspsry, stood by tho do r. Coun
A 10 brave man and a strong maj
and has always been famous athlete
80, ysthss enjoying the idea Of the de
nousnsnk he lay,quietly In wait, know
ing that the Jewels were the object o
the Midnight marauders.
Tho 1obbsr came steadily and noiselese
~ toward the box as II he were perfect
" familiar with the location, while tn
count ieigned sleep and allowed him Il
como near enough 10 lay his hand upoi
IL. Then with sudden movement h
threw his powerful arms around sh
thief and shouted for help; but by al
indsscribable wriggle the creatur
slipped with the dexterity Of serpen
from under the heavy sheet-like drapery
leaving IL in my husbands clutch. Wit
bound the latter was out of bed, an
|
for the second time he had the mis-
creant In his grasp; but again he wa
foiled, this time by new device whicl
will venture to say has never beel
heard Of In the police reports Of any civ
ilised country. The man was complete
ly nude and creased from head to foo
with soft buttery substance that mad
him as slippery as an eel Notwitt
standing that the count caught him sey
eral times he made good his escape, ney
er relinquishing the box.
Eyes; the jewels are gone" continue
the countess, In answer to an inquiry
"And what is moro we could never trac
them; there Is no detective service 1
China that amounts to anything, an
the wretches were completely success
full. Baron H, although terribl
afraid of the consequences Of his ha,
ing reiterated his trust to another, be