Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-09-03

at the castle, he betook himself thith-
er with as little delay rs possible.
His Grace, for whom Mr. Hydenseke
had more than once acted in confden-
tial matters, readily saw the detective,
aud gave him permission to inspect
his collection of rings, being himself
present during the process. The re-
suit OF this inspection and of long
conversation with the Duke, was that
an urgent telegram was dispatched 10
Pinkerton asking him to come down
to b as early us possible next
morning.
1t was two days later, AMI Mr..
Hydenseke was standing before the
fire in his office, with his hands, in
true British fashion, behind his coat
tails. A rather odd smile, suggesting
triumph and self-satisfaction, fickered
about the corners of his mouth. He
had sent messenger about an hour
previously y to request Sir Jacob True
loves attendance at the office as soon
as convenient, and he was now await
ing that gentleman arrival.
By and by the street bell rang, and
n minute or two later the Baronet was
ushered in.
"Good morning, Mr.. Hydenseke, "
he began, with an eager, anxious look
on his cunning face-''you have got
the ring! You told me in your note
you have got the ring!"
eyes," rejoined Mr.. Hydenseke,
pursing up his lips and speaking in
cisively, 81 have got the ring"
"Then, for the love of God. give it
me Mt once, cried Sir Jacob, with
strange excitement "Here-here
| pulling out his check book from his
breast -pocket) I'll pay you your thou
sand pounds at once. The ring, Mr.
Hydenseke--give me the ring"
"Wait minute, Sir jacob" said
the detective, coldly, waving back the
others outstretched hand. 81 have
word or two to say first. / always deal
square with those who are square with
me. I am not squeamish, not /. |
take up almost any cases for those
who pay me well, and l carry out my
clients wishes to the best of my
power, without raising any inconve-
nient questions of right and wrong, or
anything of that sort. But | make
one stipulation. My clients must be
square with me; and they must tell
me the truth %
"What do you mean, Mr.. Hyden-
seke?" muttered Sir Jacob, beginning
to turn pale.
''It is nothing to me-" the detective
went on, without needing the inter
ruption, "that you have tried to steal
that ring from the Duke of x, or
that, finding yourself forestalled, you
laid plot to steal it from the man
who had anticipated you. But it is
great deal to me that, instead of tell
ing me the truth, you tried to delude
me into your service with pack of
silly falsehoods and u trumped-up
story about third Vespasian signet,
stolen from the Vatican, which had
never had any existence, either there
or elsewhere.
I-I-don't understand you. Do
-do-you realize whom you're talk
ing to-" stammered the Baronet, trem-
bling, however, in every limb. "You
must be mad, Mr.. Hydenseke.
81 have tracked out the whole affair
from first to last" continued the
other. ''You had better listen, and
deny any of my statements if you can.
You intended taking advantage of
your intimacy at B, and of the
Dukes comparative antiquarian ig-
norance) to steal the Vespasian signet
from his collection and substitute a
forged one in its place. You employed
Janshikoff to make you the necessary
imitation. He gained an inkling ofyour
plan, and thinking the idea good one
made second imitation for his own
use, and paying visit to b Just
one day before you forestalled you in
filching the real signet. You went
down and duly effected your theft, but
when you came to examine your spoil
you found it .only a sham that
you had got. Knowing that Janshi-
koff had been there the day before
(for the Duke showed you some gems
which Janshikof had brought down
for his inspection), you easily guessed
what had happened, and being determ-
ined to get the real signct from that
astute dealer-a thing which your
own skill could never have accom-.
plished-you enlisted my services.
Now, if you had told me the truth,
| would have done my best for you,
even as matters stood. But as you
have seen fit to try and impose on
me, and to gain my help by false pre-
lenses, you must accept the conse-
quences. The ring has been restored
to the Duke of x, andis now back
i'll its place at B"
'lt's lie-the whole things lie,"
persisted Sir Jacob. But his looks
declared the guilt which his words de-
MED in vain.
II have forced full confession
from Janshikotf, Mr.. Hydenseke said;
Sin the face of which, and of other
convincing evidence, your denial or
admission is perfectly immaterial