The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-05-23
THE DYMOCK DIAMONDS.
a Good Story of Clever Detective
Work.

I
YES" observed Mr.. Hydenseke, as
he stroked his chin with moralizing
air, II have had to look into some
pretty shady transactions in my time,
goodness knowsl But for all-around,
wholesale dishonesty. this beats any
thing ] ever came across"
Mr.. Hydenseke was an inquiry agent,
with a largish private connection. And
the case which he had just been inves-
tigating, and which evoked the forego-
ing observation from his lips, was this;
About six months previously a GER
tain wealthy widow, by name Dymock,
had died. having bequeathed the larger
part of her fortune TO her only child
a SON But the bulk of her jewelry,
which was very valuable, she had pur-
posely left away from him. For he
was notorious profigate-a man Of
little principle and no good feelings
and his mother was afraid of what base
uses her family jewels might come If
they passed into his hands. She did,
however, leave him few trinkets of
lesser value as keepsakes, and a GER
tain number more, which were to be
sold and the proceeds in cash paid over
to him by her executor. This latter
gentleman Ito Paul Dymock's great
annoyance) was the deceased lady's
medical adviser, Dr. Miller, an old and
tried friend of hers, in whom she had
always reposed great confidence
The persons to whom she left the
rest and by far the larger portion, of
her jewels, were Charles Crowdie,
nephew; Minna James, a niece, and
Mrs. Quilter, daughter of an intimate
friend, just now kicking up her heels
In England as grass widow.
The jewels were deposited in the
strong room of Messrs. Dibbs, Peddy q
Co., the deceased's solicitors, and the
keys of the safe were intrusted to DIR.
Miller, who was personally to distribute
the jewelry to the various legatees as
soon as possible after the compile tion of
the legal formalities.
The jewels had, of course, to be val
ued for probate. And, while that was
being done by an expert called In for
the purpose, not only was DIR. Miller
present, but, at his partioul ar request,
all the four legatees In terested, viz.
Paul Dymock. Mrs. Quilter, Charles
Crowdie and Minna James
On that occasion the jewels were GER
tainly all there. And on the next oc-
casion when DIR. Miller opened the safe
Ito give Minna James her jewels)-
this time nobody else being present
But about week later, when Mrs.
Quilter called to receive her jewels,
and went around with the doctor to
the solicitors Office, the case which
should have contained large diamond
star worth one thousand pounds ster-
ling (the most valuable article be-
queathed to herr was found to be
empty.
Naturally both were very much
startled and upset by this discovery,
and DIR. Miller consulted with the lady
as to what steps had better be taken.
He (Dr. Miller) was quite convinced
that the star had not been distracted
by Minna James week before, for he
was there alone with her. and must
have noticed it had she done so. But
he was In hurry that day and did not
look into all the jewel cases, SO that it
might well have been missing then
without his detecting It,
The theory that some clerk at the
office had tempered with the safe could
hardly be entertained, for the lock was
frst-rate one, and both the keys were
kept by DIR. Miller himself; therefore,
laying the above two possibilities
aside, the theft of the jewels was mar
rowed down to the first occasion when
the safe was opened-viz., when the
Jewels were valued for probate.
AS they arrived at this conclusion,
DR.. Miller looked at Mrs. Quilter, and
Mrs. Quilter looked at DIR. Miller. It
was quite evident that they both had a
definite suspicion. And, as it trans
PRED, their suspicious fell on the same
person Paul Dymock, the profigate
son, had not disguised his anger at the
way in which the jewels were left. He
had even referred particularly to the
diamond star, which was the most val
liable of all his mothers jewels He
was vicious, crafty and unprincipled.
What more likely, then, that he had
taken it?
Mrs. Quilter, with woman's impul-
siveness, expressed her settled convic-
ton that he had stolen it. DR.. Miller,
who was more guarded, did not use
such positive language as that; though
he confessed to strong suspicious. And
they both agreed that though Paul Dy-
mock himself deserved no mercy If he
were the thief, yet, for the sake of his
mothers memory, they would not call
| in the police and thus make a criminal
prosecution the inevitable consequence
| of his being found out. AS an alterna-
tive, therefore, they fell back upon q
private inquiry agent. And that is
how the case came in the hands of our
friend, Mr. Hydenseke-
This gentleman, with his usual
promptitude, started Investigations al
once by paying visit to the strong
room at the office, and inspecting the
safe and lock. Being satisfied from
this inspection that it had not beer
tempered with, and so dismissing from
his mind the idea of an outside thief
he confined his attention to those who
had been present at the valuation Of
the jewels-viz., Paul Dymook, Charles
Crowdie. Minna James, Mrs. Quilter,
the jeweler, and Dr. Miller himself.
And n watch was secretly set upon the
movements of all these persons.
This step soon brought to light some
thing which, Mr.. Hydenseke felt
might perhaps have an important bear
ing on the case. In day or two't
time the man appointed to spy on Mrs
Quilter informed his chief that there
was something up" between the gras:
widow and Paul Dymock. The latter
had been for some while frequent
visitor at her house, often remaining
there till quite late In the evening
And the cook, to whom he (the spy
had been making up. had given hin
such information of ''Missus' going:
on" rs left no doubt that Dymock al
present occupied the position of Mrs
Cutters lover.
Mr.. Hydenseke thought very long
time over this intelligence. And Their
an idea occurred to him which ap
peared to cause him some satisfaction
1t had been suggested to him by DIR
Miller that Dymock might have taker
the diamonds to give to one OF his mis-
tresses. Surprising that mistress TO b.
Mrs Quilter9 A very pretty stroke that
to give her her own jewelsi ''But sths
executor is liable. OF course" reflected
Mr.. Hydenseke, land a woman like
that might think she'd like the dia
monds. and their value as we'll. She's
safe to be hard up for cash, living n
fh.t frHa and aoev atvia On uS&mdIi Al