Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-14

less locket. together with the bracelets and
collar to match, had vanished in the most
unaccountable manner. The Countess said
| tnat before she retired to rest on the pre-.
got out the diamonds which she intended to
wear at the county ball, and that after ex.
amin1ng them she had not considered II
worth while to put them away again, and
tnat consequently they had been left on the
dressing table.
eShe declared, however, that she had not
heard anyone enter the room, nor did the
| lied intrusion
The rural police were called in, and with
All the sapiency usually displayed by that
BODY, proposed that the rooms and boxes
of all the servants should be at once
| searched.
Atthfs suggestion there was considerable
murmuring among the domestics; and the
Marquis stepping forward begged to be per-
mitted to say few words, and when
silence was accorded, began in his soft for
eign accent: "Ladies and gentlemen, let us
not forget Eat We all all have re common
We should not outrage zese delfcacies of ze
nature. Vot for should Zese pauvres gems
and zere colis-vot you call baggages-be
visited, ven ours remains untouchedP Let
all the world submit to right of search, and
zen no Won can vot you call grumble."
The ladies were loud in their praises of the
great delicacy of feeling evinced by the dis
reluctantly compelled to confess that the
fellows proposal was a fair one.
While the search was liking place, host,
guests and servants remained in the draw
ing room, so as to leave the police entirely
unfettered in their operations. The result of
the search was that no trace of the missing
stones could be discovered, and that the rob
berry promised to be as great mystery as all
those which had preceded it.
81 know that the fellow did the trick" re-
marked Tom: as, after the return of the rev.
Bulstrode sat chatting together and smoking
cigarettes, regardless as to whether the scent
of the Nicotian herb could be detected by the
other occupants Of the corridor. depend on
it, the rascal will make another attempt at
night, and l am going to keep watch. Bull
thing?"
Delighted, am sure, dear boy" yawned
am as tired as dog-danced every dance,
square and round, do assure you, and I
really must be off to bed"
But that Is Just what you cannot do"
exclaimed Tom, laying OBTAINING hand on
his friend. who was making for the door.
81 am sure that the Frenchman has some
you to patrol the grounds. keeping with
easy distance Of his window, so rs to see if he
plays any hankey- -pankey tricks from ft.'
Bulstrode looked excessively blank at this
announcements. "How long am l to be kept
at this work." asked he.
"Why, until daylight, of course" replied
Tom. then you can go to bed. You won't
be alone. l have arranged everything, and
you will have Jobson, one of the watchers,
and my own man, Hutchins, with you. 1
everything before we started"
"By Jove, Tom, you would have made
splendid detective" replied Frank Bull
strobe, looking at his friend with kind of
lazy admiration. "If things ever went bad |
ly with you 1 should start as private in |
quiry agent, and Nell Folthorpe might help |
you in the office, for am hanged if think |
she would let you interview the lady clients |
by yourself"
"There, no chaff, the matter is a serious |
one,' retorted Tom. "Be of. You will find |
Jobson and Hutchins in the laurel shrub |
berry. Keep yourselves as much out of sight |
rs you can, and I'll lay you a flyer that We |
make big bag this morning."
"Well, I may well take cigar to while |
away the hours of my moonlight watching" |
Bulstrode, as he extended his |
land toward Toms cigar case, which lay on /
/ table close at hand.
"Are you mad?" exclaimed his friend, |
interposing. "a pretty sort of a |
detective you would make, letting malefac- /
ors know OF your presence by the scent of /
your havannah. Keep close, crawl if you /
want to move from one place to the other, |
stretched out on the ground, as fat as you
,an."
Prank heaved q sigh of resignation. and |
With muttered "Sweet are the duties i'm
,osed by the calls of friendship" quilted |
he room.
Carefully leaving the door a few inches
jar, Tom commenced his watch. The house
vas completely silent, and the slightest
ound would have been perfectly audible,
)ut no noise broke the stiffness, which was
Use soporif1c effect over the watcher. Tom
'awned more than once, stretched out his
egs, pinched his arms, and at length in
espair, rose from his seat, and applied