The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1894-08-24

hanu shop In Parls TWO years back. i
paid q good price for it, and I asked
no questions. You take me?"
81 think so, Sir Jacob" answered
Mr.. Hydenseke, with his peculiar
smile.
"You will understand, them" the
other continued, "why l am anxious
TO have the matter kept strictly pri-
| vate."
"Of course. And, perhaps, Janshi-
koff took that into account-ehP"
''Most probably. He is q very sharp
fellow. But now, Mr.. Hydenseke
(he spoke very excitedly, leaning over
and placing his hand on the detectives
sleeve), must get that signet back
without delay. For if Janshikoff once
parts with it, goodbye to our chance
of ever seeing it again. Will you un-
dertake the job, Mr. Hydenseke?'
"What's tho fgure?" asked our
friend, thoughtfully.
IA cool thousand and all expenses. 1"
every well, Sir Jacob, I'm your
man."
Mr.. Hydenseke now produced his
notebook, and put tho Baronet through
n lengthy catechism, jottins down his
replies in shorthand. At the enl Of
this process, which occupied about on
hour, Sir Jacob rose to take his de-
parture.
"You will lose no time-no time,
Mr.. Hydenseke, will you?" he said, in
a voice of absolute entreaty. eff
fail to recover that signct it will almost
kill me-"
"Make your mind easy" was tho
brisk rejoindcr. 81 shall start my in.
vestigations at once. You shall hear
from me shortly how 1 succeed. Good
morning"
AS soon rs tho Baronet was fairly of
the premises Mr.. EIydenseko sent for
cab and drove straight across to the
British Museum. Upon entering that
somber editice he betooll himself to
the room where the old Roman gems
are on show, and there, with the as
sistnnco of n catalogue and n civil at
tendant, he discovered tho Vespasian
signet. This he carefully inspected
through the glass by which it was
guarded, finding it answer ed exactly to
the description which Sir Jacob had
given him. He made n careful draw
ing OF the ring, which he rcleSated to
his notebook, AID then returned to the
Office in Long Acre to consider his
next step.
After half an hour spent in careful
reflection he summoned the most
trustworthy member Of his stnT and
instructed him to keep watch on
Jan.hikor for the next twentyfour
hours.
He did not, indeed, think it proba-
BILE that the astuto dealer in antiques
would attempt to dispose of his spoil
at present. Still II was better to be
on the safe side, and to have him kept
under close surveillance, while he
(Mr. Hydensckc) conducted certain
preliminary Investigations in another
direction.
81 heard nothing Of n Vespasian
signet ut the time, l am sure" solilo-
quized Mr.. Hydensekc, frowning per-
plexedly, 81 will go and ask Pinker-
ton. Pinkerton is sure to know"
Acting on this resolve, he had no
sooner given his employe the neces-
sary instructions about watching
Janshikoff, than he walked round to
Mr.. Pinkerton's shop in Wardour
street. Jeremia Pinkerto keeps an
emporium for articles Of virtu, which
he knows more about than any other
man in England. He is IN old
fashioned man; old-fashioncd IN his
appearance, his methods, and, more
particularly, in his honesty. But he
is very shrcwd; gifted with most
capacious memory; and, rs an expert
in Greek and Roman gems, without an
equal.
Mr.. Hydcnseke had often had oc-
casion to consult him, and knew him
intimately.
"How are you, Pinkerton?" said
our friend, shaking hands with the
dealer; "give me five minutes private
talk. You know the Vespasian sisnct
Mt the British Museum, I suppose.
''Rather," answered Pinkerton.
GLOW many are there like it in ex-
istence?"
"Only one other; that is in the
Duke of KS collection at B"
$50 thought. But 1 have been
informed to-day, Mr.. Pinkerton, that
there was third specimen, which was
stolen from the Vatican in that great
jewel robbery fifteen years ago"
81 don't believe it," said the dealer,
decidedly. "The principal gems miss
ing were all mentioncd-in fact, n
list Of them was printed and cIrcu-
lated by the police among all the
chief dealers i'll Europe. | had ono
sent here, | rccollect, and | am quite
certain that Vespasian siSnct-which
would have been the most precious of
the whole lot--was not inclhded.
On leaving Pinkerton's emporium,
our friend hailed cab, drove to his
private house, where ho kept tho
vehicle waiting while ho packed IL
Gladstone bag, and then ordered tho
driver to take him with all speed to
Paddington. He was in time for the
afternoon down mail, by which he pro-
ceeded to B, reaching that quaint
country town about > o'clock. Having
ascertaincd ut his hotel, the Y
Arms, that the Duke was in residence
Mt the castle, he bctook himself thith-
er with rs little delay rs possible.