The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-07-23

1T WOuldn'C take no minu realeE
10 tell you that, sir. "
but wouldn't it take mind reader
to tell, Smiler. what you've Elt in
your poke tboolcP"
Smiler turned pale.
s.As an amateur. Smiler. mind
5on't pretend to be accurate; I should
say that if any one should look in
that pocke tboolr be would end my
ruby scarf pin and my emerald and
diamond ring"
Smiler nearly went into a fit.
s.Of course. 1 have so many rings
and pins that unless I was q mind
reader I would never have missed
these. And, let me see. Smiler. in
your trunk you have three pairs of
my trousers. Those would not be
easily missed, either. Also about hfty
neckties, and collars and cuffs innum-
srable."
BY this time Smiler was ~ pale So o
ghost
If I were to read your mind lit
tie further as an amateur would tell
you that on the Goth day Of Septem-
Der you went to a pawnsbop on the
Rue du Rivoh and there disposed of
two seal rings and a watch for which
you received 500 francs They cheated
you. Smiler. You should have got
double that amount From there you
went to a bank. like the thrifty, hon
est. frugal fellow that you are. and
opened up an account On the 23d Of
September with commendable indus
try you added to your little
horde BY disposinR OF my
gold mounted stick, the one
presented me by the Baron Roths-
child. You carefully obliterated the
names. / commend your caution
Four days afterward you sold, or
rather pawned sundry articles ia four
different places which / won't take
time to enumerate. In all. you have
1900 francs in the bank and twenty
francs in your poclretbook, toge ther
with other articles Of mine which you
were about to get rid Of this morning.
You have been quite thrifty. and iu-
side of a month it was your intention
to draw out your money and emigrata
to America, where you are DESTROYS
of setting up IN trade. This has been
your dream. Smiler. the life of the
honest and prosperous tradesman,
Am right. Smiler? II I have made
any mistakes attribute it to the fact
that / am but an amateur"
But Smiier was spe echless.
ITO continue, or rather to go back
into the past L read that you robbed
all your masters before me, only they
were not mind readers in an amateur
way and attributed the loss Of diff
ferent things to natural shrinlcage.
/ When you first entered my apartments
in Kings road your thoughts were re-
gardIng my worldly possessions. You
saw much that made you sure 4 was
man of means. After / entered the
room 1 was seemingly busy reading
the newspaper Really, Smiler, was
reading you. 1 did not want to see
your references. They were super
/ fuous- The man himself stood before
me. There was the reference. de-
termined to make little study or
I you. You interested me at once, for
l recognized in you a thief of many
years training, "a thief who had pill
fered for all his life and never been
detected. Here. 1 thought, is a sub
ject worthy Of my attention, here Is "a
case which will edify and amuse me.
So took you to my bosom, Smiler,
and employed you on the spot. AS
you stood there waiting for me Co adj
dress you the thoughts flashed through
your mind: 4 can easily get away
with one of those Dresden ware vases.
He has so many of them that he never
will miss T. Then he must be a care
less sort Of a swell, one Of those spend
thrifts. He will come home inebri-
ated every night. If a pin, ring. a
watch or some other article disap-
pears he will think he lost 10 some
where the night before. He's a swell
that pays no attention to his personal
effects. All he thinks Of is having a
jolly good time Am I right, SmilerP"
But Smiler never relapsed from his
collapsed condition.
You began TO pilfer when you pur-
chased the tickets to France. You
made ten shillings on the tickets.
You put aside for yourself five shil-
lings from the purchases from the
trunlxmaker. Do not deny It, for 10 ia
written indelibly on your mind
took to you right away. Here ia "a
precious rascal thought. Here iH
a servant worth having. You re-
mem Der commended You for your
faithfulness. And now, Smiler, do
you believe in mind reading2 BY the
way, where are those pawn tickets,
and kindly hand me your bank book.
Smiler obeyed without word. The
1anguid gentleman went to the door
and ushered in two officers
Smiler fell upon his lsneea
Mercy, mercy" he said
stYou corroborate all have said
remarked the gentleman with mild
interest.
Yes, yes. I confess Don't put me
in Jail"
81 am sorry. smiler. but have fin
ished with my subject. I now turn
him over to the law. Officers, do your
duty"
.syerv well. Mr.. Markham" replied