The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1894-01-18

u l would not have lost it for any
amount of money. However. it is
useless 70 cry over spilled milk. a S Tie
old adagc has it,"
"lf the watch is in this shin we
ought to find it," l said.
''My dear captain, if you will leave
n matter entirely in my hands |
think l may recover it. This request
! am sure you will oblige me by grant
ing"
why, certainly, my dear Sir" l
said, ''but still" =.
Exactly" he intcrruted, with his
pleasant smile. "You would like to
investigate the case TO the utmost of
your lower, 1 know, my dear can.
tain. But l Can trust you to keep
your promise and leave the thing en-
tirely in my hands, cannot L."
How could l refuse him?
You may readily imagine what con-
sternation this event gave rise to
among the Other passengers. The
tn ce old gentlemen at once began TO
explain that they owned jeweliy to
the value of e40O which they usually
kept lockedGup in a t'own leather
writing case: but unfortunately, at
the present time the lock was out Of
order.
MIR. May suggested a safe deposit
for tn cir valuables.
The young married couples an
nOunced the fact of their having at
least f200 worth of jewelry, and
they, too. consulted Mr.. May as to
the safest plan for secreting it.
The kind-hearted brother and Sis
ter had, it appeared, more valuables
in the way of jewelry than any one
on board, since el.5O0 had never pur-
chased what they pc .sessed.
The whole evening was occupied in
specializing as to the probable perpc-
traitor of the theft, and in condoling
with MIR. Nay on his loss. Every
one turned In that night in an I'M
easy state of mind, and it was with
establishment that they found them
selves in the morning in full posses-
sion of their worldly goods. This
improved condition of Affairs seemed
to reassure our passengers, who at
once again began to look cheerful
and at ease.
Reginald Mays face wore its
wOnted smile, and. as heretofore, he
charmed and enlivened us with his
vivacity and ant cdotes. All the day
long he worked Oh the model of the
ship, still using the top of the empty
water caSk for a work table.
That night VIC retired to rest with
minds far q at aSc than on the
previous one. Alas. What a scene
Of anger and distress came with the
morning. Every passenger on board
owning jewelry had been robbed dur
ing the night.
The three old gentlemen, the
young marie couples and the kind
hearted brother and sister found
themselves minus every article they
possessed. Even the grumbling old
gentleman had lost his gold snuff
box.
There was no keeping matters
quiet this time. The thief must be
traced and brought to justice. What
was the wiSest method of procedure?
What would Mr.. May suggest?
Il would suggest, though most re-
~luctantly, that every sailor and every
sailors luggage be carefully searched"
he said.
81 agree to see to that" l remarked.
"This," be continued, unjust be
most humiliating to the feelings Of
your crew, captain, and therefore, in
common fairness to them as our fell
low men, let me suggest that every
passenger and passengers luggage he
also thoroughly searched"
A little hesitation on the part of
one or two of the passengers was
shown before acceding to the last
proposal, but our pl asant PASSENGER
soon contrivcd to bring those who
first demurred to his way Of think
luz.
''Of course there is not a passenger
on board who is not above suspicion"
he said; wet, in Justice to the feel
ings of the crew, it is the least we
can 40"
This delicate feeling and thought
fulncss on the part OF Mr.. May rem
dered him more pleasing in u eyes
than ever.
Many of the crew objected strongly
to being searched, but all were COM
pellcd to submit. The old bOatswain
was wild with anger, and vowed that
if it cost him his life he would trace
the thief who had caused him to be
searched like Il common ii kpocket.
Even the pleasant passenger utterly
failed to soothe. his deep of in
jury.
Well, a thorough search "a made
by myself and the kind-heartcd old
gentleman and his sister. Every
ones traps were ran>ackcd from top
to bottom without success. Further
search was useless. What was TO be
done: