The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21
THE DIAMOND TRAVELLER.

was returning to st. Petersburg after
an absence of some weeks. As our train
stopped at Twiss young man got in,
who, while not particularly shy-looking,
had the air OF being a schoolboy out for
holiday. In taking his place in the
compartment he first, with great care,
put IN the netting leather valise, which
evidently contained something precious,
as he scarcely took his eyes of it during
the first hour of the journey.
You know how tediously monotonous
a railway is-one quickly tires looking
through the window of the coach at the
straight line of road flying past in the
midst of plains of wearying sameness
of aspect-and to relieve the tedium of
the long, uneventful journey the passen-
gers naturally began to chat and ex-
change opinions and condolences,
prompted alike by ennui and curiosity,
ana our young man would have found
III difficult matter to escape from his
share OF Interrogation. His great anxiety
lest any accident should happen TO his
Vallse was so apparent to all that one of
the passengers remarked on it to him in
a jocular way.
lie redeemed little and replied sit
is true, do feel anxious, for | am trav-
eler for large jewelry establishment,
and am held responsible for large sum,
the value of some diamonds in that valise,
which l am charged to deliver in Mos
cow"
This answer astonished me not little,
l confess. The first principle prudence
should have counseled him to conceal the
nature of these valuable articles. 1t
seams tn fbat ha INraS lall =,
Ice in his business thus to disclose be-
lore so many strangers the fact of his
having fortune in his possession. | do
not know why-for his explanation was
plausible-buJ felt distrust of him and
set myself to watch his movements from
that time on. There was an atfectation of
100 much calm IN his manner, | thought.
During the chatter and pleasantly COM
mon among fellow travellers, when peo-
pie talk without considering what they
say, the conversation turned upon Won
derful case of theft and diamond rObber-
les, and little by little instances were
cited wherein the skill and rapidity of the
theft were marvellous.
The young jeweler was advised to keep
sharp lookout for his diamonds. Was
not General Somarnoff recently victim
TO the cleVerneSS of rObber, who actually
distracted bundle of roubles from the
inside pocket of his coat?
on" said the young man, 81 am not
uneasy; l am used to this sort of thing''-
a statement l did not believe / could not
help teellng he was not accustomed to the
charge OF gems of such a great value; he
had the face of q child, with child's soft
sweet, innocent expression, unfamiliar
with care or responsibility of any kind.
On reaching Kiln we all rose up to
stretch our legs by a stroll on the plat
form, and the young ieweler evidently
not wishing to make himself remarkable,
followed our example, taking his valise
IN hand as though unwilling to part with
1t for an instant. AS the passengers
crowded toward the door he was pushed
violently forward by some one in the
throng; at the same moment the conductor
appeared and refused to allow us to leave
the carriage. The train was behind time,
he said, and instead Of the usual stoppage
at Kiln, halt of merely a minutes limit
was made. While he spoke the loco
motive whistled for the train to proceed.
AS we regained our compartment in
somewhat struggling order, the young
JeWeler utsered cry Of fright which,
Notwithstanding all effort at control, was
one of agony.
Il have been robbedp' he cried.
1t was true. Some bold operator, who
from an adjoining compartment had
overheard our conversation and been
allared by what he thus learned. had at
jewels. They were gone-the thing was
done.
The young man still held in his grasp
the handles of his vaIise, which had been
adroitly cut, and in the pressure of the
crowd he had not felt the loss Of weight.
lie gazed around with an understandable
expression of terror. His despair was
truly pitiable, and it was as much
through sincere sympathy for the unfor-
tunate youth as the excitement of an in
cldent thus breaking the tiresome Jour
ney, that the passengers surrounded him
with extreme interest and curiosity. The
theft had been accomplished with sur
prising skill and rapidity, and each had
something to say on the subject.
1t is Incredible"
We had only time to leave our seats
and return to them again."
lit seems like magic.''
One man declared that the conductor
must be notified at once
''No-no," stammered the young lew
eler.
'Why not?" queried the other. ''Here
you are with valuable diamonds stolen
from you and you do not wish it to be
known! No one left the train at Kiln,
therefore it is impossible that the thief
has disappeared. Your valise is still in
one of the carriages: no doubt hidden
beneath one of the seatsn
mo, no, do nothing" implored the nm
happy youth.
But the other did not stop to listen; he
had already started TO inform the con-
ductor, and in moment returned with
that functionary, to whom he offered
string of suggestions as to the hest means
OF recovering the lost jewels.
The conductor hesitated to take action
IN the matter, but upon reaching the next
station secured the assistance of two no.
lice officers, whom he put in charge.
The baggage of the passengers should
be searched" said the man who had con-
stltuted himself the leader of the affair
and so the officers ordered.
At once vigorous search began as the
train rolled onward. The news spread
quickly from the locomotive to the bag
gage wagon, and every one yielded with
good grace to the examination. The
young jeweler alone betrayed any uneasi-
ness; his face became liyid, and he swayed
back and forth as though on the verge of
fainting.
The search was unsuccessful, and the
officers shook their heads in doubtful
manner.
Suddenly our obliging neighbor. who
had shown decided instincts as detec-
tive, and who entered into the work with
ardor, caught sight of a passenger. who
wrapped in Voluminous cloak, had
seemed to sleep during the turmoil.
Approaching him he threw aside the
cloak and disclosed to view the MISSING
valise.
All ~ said he, with triumphant air,
Il knew well it was not far off,
The passenger thus disturbed did not.
however, appear put out by the discoy-
cry.
Leave me alone" said he, ''the valise
is mine''
''Yours?' cried the man, "why the
handles are missing! You are too cool
by far. What do you think of the impu-
dence of your thief, my young sir?',
turning to the jeweler, proud of the role
he had so successfully played. "You rec