The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1891-08-01
MONGOLIAN GENIUS.
Oleverness of the Burglars of the
F1owery Kingdom.

The Singular Trick by Which Midnight
Caller Eluded the Grasp of
His Would-Be
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 grand
jubilee at the court to celebrate the
emperor's birthday or some other
festive occasion, and Baron H 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. I could see
during the evening that he was distract
and worried, and after other guests had
gone he confide d to the count and my
self his trouble. He was a nervous,
fussy little man, and was evidently
greatly disturbed I have had some
important jewels confded to my care,
he told us, to be given to our emperor
as memento of this occasion. To-
morrow SAIL as you know, in the gov
eminent steamer for home, and soon as
am aboard ship shall not feel any
anxiety; but must confess that to-
night I am nervous-why, do not
know; but I have the feeling, and L
thought would confide 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. l have an iron box
by my bed where I lock up any impor-
tant papers that l have in my room at
night, and I will keep them for you.
The baron, greatly relieved, gladly
handed over the little case that held
the costly trinkets and shortly after
ward we all retired for the night. The
counts room adjoined mine, and the
last thing remember was seeing the
glimmer of his light under the door as
he sat writing at his desk, finishing his
dispatches for the morrow. I was
awakened from a deep sleep by the
noise of scufle, and immediately aft
erward the shout of my husband, and in
a few minutes the whole house was
aroused. Catch the thieves!. shouted
the count, and for a short time all was
in confusion, no one understanding the
why and the wherefore of the uproar,
the count in the ightest of attire hav-
ing torn down the stairs into the court
yard. After a useless pursuit he re-
turned, breathless, to tell his story.
The box was gone; that I had seen at
once and had already communicated
nv fears to Baron IT., who had also
appeared upon the scene and who was
nearly frantic. Between gasps for
breath-for what with the excitement
and the chase my poor husband was
completely exhausted-we finally clio
tied the following facts: After he had
put the Jewels in the stronghold which
stood on a table at the head of his bed,
he sat down as his desk and, finding that
he had more to do than he expected,
wrote until the small hours of the
morning. Notwithstanding the lateness
of the hour he was restless after he
finally got to bed, and did not fall into
sound sleep; SO that the light noise of
the opening door aroused him at once,
and by the dim light from the hall he
saw mufaed figure approaching his
bed, while another form, also shrou0ed
in drapery, stood by the do r. Count
A. is a brave man and a strong man
and has always been a famous athlete;
so, rather enjoying the idea of the de-
nouement, he lay quietly in wait. know
ing that the Jewels were the object of
the midnight marauders.
The robber came steadily and noiseless-
ly toward the box as if he were perfect
~ familiar with the location, while the
count feigned sleep and allowed him to
come near enough 70 lay his hand upon
it. Then with a sudden movement he
threw his powerful arms around the
thief and shouted for help; but by an
indescribable wriggle the creature
slipped with the dexterity of a serpent
from under the heavy sheetrlilze drapery,
leaving it in my husbands clutch. With
a bound the latter was out of bed, and
for the second time he had the mis-
creant in his grasp; but again he was
foiled, this time by new device which
will venture to say has never been
heard of in the police reports of any civ
ilized country. The man was complete
ly nude and CREASED from head to foot
with soft buttery substance that made
him as slippery as an eel. Notwith-
standing that the count caught him sew
eral times he made good his escape, new
er relinquishing the box.
Eyes: the Jewels are gone," continued
the countess, in answer to an inquiry.
''And what is more we could never trace
them; there is no detective service in
China that amounts to anything, and
the wretches were completely success
full Baron IL, although terribly
afraid Of the consequences OF his hav-
ing relegated his trust to another, be-
haved most handsomely and completely
exonerated my husband from all blame.
n L I L..