Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-04-20
THE REAL CULPRIT.

Some three years ago, SAID well known
detective, was sitting alone in my Office
when fine looking, well dressed man
about 20 Or 80 years of age entered and
asked to see Mr.. Carbon, the detective
~ am the person named and at your
service, sir, replied. "Please be seated"
81 do not wish to be interrupted in what
propose to tell you,' he said, glancing
around, "nor do wish to have any lis
tener except yourself.
/ arose and locked the door, He hesitat-
ed little, colored somewhat and then
said:
"From my air of mystery suppose you
think have something to relate of great
Importance, but though it 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
diamond ring. However, prize the ring
far beyond its nominal value as heirloom
of the family, which has come down to me
through several generations, it having
been presented to one of my ancestors by
the then Duke of Cambridge.
1.-THE ring" he proceeded, "came into
my possession as the lineal male heir on
my twenty-frst birthday, and though
have since worn it at times l have always
watched it with the most jealous care and
never left it out of my sight except when
locked up in my safe, where kept most
important papers and a few valuables.
"Now comes the mystery. My safe has
a com bination lock, and that com bination
not living mortal knows except myself,
not even my wife. / am positive that the
last time had the ring, showing it to a
friend, returned it to the safe. That was
week ago today, and when l yesterday
unlocked the safe to get a private paper
missed the ring from the little iron box
where always kept it. Startled at this,
began to search for it. l took out every
thing in the safe and examined every spot
and paper with the greatest care, but with
out finding the precious jewel. The ring
was the only thing missing and found
that nothing else was disturbed. The loss
of the ring grieves me, and the mystery
perplexes me, and so Ihave come to you to
see if you can suggest anything to relieve
me. Understand that intend to pay you
well for your advice, and if you ever sue
coed in recovering the ring your reward
shall be 9400."
vas lue rlug so Rhlua'he "' 'ho''
asked.
"Intrinsically, no." he answered, land
yet to me invaluable for the reason 1 have
named. The actual cash value of the ring
would not exceed 92OO, and yet would
give 9l ,000-nay, e., 000-rather than
lose it. Besides, there is a legend in the
family that whoever parts with it will suf-
fer some great misfortune"
"You had it week ago, you say-you
showed it to friend, you locked it up in
your safe, and you have not seen it since?"
"That is my statement"
''Who was the friend to whom you
showed the ring9"
Godfrey Percy, who has been spending
a few weeks at my house as my guest"
SIS he with you still?"
''He is. will be frank with you. My
sister and l met him in London a few
weeks ago, and he is now engaged to her
and will remain my guest until after the
wedding, which is fixed for week from
today"
''Was he with you when you locked the
ring in the safe?"
"Why this question, Mr.. Carbons"
swell, for anything you like. If you
are to question my questions, fear we
will not get on very fast. If he was with
you, of course he saw you lock it up, and
you have proof that you did what you
think you did,"
II beg your pardon, Mr.. Carbon. I
thought your question might imply some
suspicion of my friend on your part, and
would just as soon have you suspect my
own wife. Yes, he was present and saw
me place the ring in the iron box, lock
that and afterward lock the safe, and he is
as anxious as am to have me solve the
mystery by the recovery of the precious
jewel"
$50 far so good. Now, then, you have
servants of course?"
Eyes, six-two men, boy and three
women"
"You do not suspect any of them"
"How can when no one knows the COM
bination to my safe lock but MYSELF"
'sIt is mysterious affair, said ], "and
can get no clew from anything you can
tell me. To make start in the matter 1t
might be necessary for me to be an inmate
of your house for few days, and even
that might amount to nothing"
~ would like to try anything that
would give even the shadow of hope"
he anxiously rejoined, with an air of de-
preston.
ssThen suppose become your guest for
a few dayss" suggested.
"If you will"
"But not as an officer-not in my real
character. - proceeded, ttYou must in
troduce me as friend Of yours just come
to town-say William Perkins from Bos-
ton-and not even your wife must know to