Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-11-09
A DETECTIVES STORY

"Strange things sometimes come
nnder your notice." l said one day to
q wcll-knOwn detective.
ayes. sir-strange. and sometimes
romantic" he replied.
III you will give me the facts for
short story l will put them in
print" SAID.
He reflected a little. and then re-
marked that he remembered some
curious incidents that he thought
would interest me. expressed a
strong desire to have then, related,
and he at once proceeded to tell me
what | have written below
Some three years ago, he began. l
was sitting alone IN my, Office, when Il
tiDe-looking, wel!-dresscd man, about
twenty eight or thirty years OF age,
entered. and asked toisee Mr. Carbon,
the dete ctive.
81 am the person named, and at
your service, SIR" replied. please
be seated"
Il do not wish to be interrupted in
what purpose to tell YOU" he said,
glancing around; ''nor do | wish to
have any listener except Yourself"
/ arose and locked the door He
hesitated little, colored some, aud
then said, -
''trom my air of mystery, l sup
pose you think l have something to
relate of great Importance; but
though 1t is Important to me, and
will be to you, If you trace out the
real facts, yet assure you. to begin
with, it is nothing more serious than
the loss OF a diamond ring How
ever prize the ring far beyond its
nominal value As an heirloom of the
family. which has come down TO me
through several generations, it hav-
ing been presented to one of my an
cestols by the then Duke of Cam
bridge.
This ring" he proceeded, 'came
INTO my possession, rs the lineal male
heir. on my twenty first birthday;
and though have since worn it at
times, | have always watched it with
the most jealous care. and never lef t
1t out of my sight except when locked
IN my safe, where L kept my most im-
portant papers and a few NaluablcS.
snow comes the mystery My Sd !e
has combination lock. and that com
bination not living mortal knows
except myself, not even my wife.
will take my Bible oath that the last
time | had the ring, showing it to a
friend, l returned 1t to the safe.
That was a week ago to-day, and
when l yesterday unlocked the safe
10 get private paper, l missed the
ring from the little iron box where
always kept it. Startled at this, l
began to search for it. First locking
my room door that l might not be
disturbed, l took out everything in
She safe, and examined every spot
and paper with the greatest care,
but without tindiug the precious
Jewel, and then put everything back
IN its place. The ring was the only
thing missing and found that moth.
sng else was disturbed. The loss of
She ring grieyes me, and the mystery
perpleXes me; and SO, not knowing
better what to do, l have come to
you, to see if YOU can suggest any.
thing to relieve me. Understand
shat l intend to pay you we'll for
your advice; and IL YOU ever succeed
in recovering the ring your reward
shall be $1,000"
"Was the ring indeed so valuable
- that" / asked.
enthusiastically. no." he answered;
sand yet to me invaluable, for the
reasons have named. The actual
cash value Of the ring would not ex-
seed thousand dollars, and yet l
would give five thousand-nay. ten
shousand-rather than lose it. Be.
'etdes there runs legend In the family
shat whoever parts with it will suffer
come great misfortune"
"You had it week ago, you say
9ou showed 1t to a friend-you locked