The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1895-06-03


bly, he may have inadvertently placed
1t in his pocket. He informed me, Sil
Pierce, that he was going to bed"
Sir Pierce fumed for minute, and
then said to the butler: Just go anc
tap at my brothers door-he can't be
asleep yet-and ask him to give you the
ring"
| Williams disappeared, and Sir Pierce
began carefully to place the smaller
articles of jewelry on a silver waiter.
| When the butler returned, he said to
his master: II knocked at General Wyl-
kyn's door. Sir Pierce, and told him
your message. He called out, Tn in
bed, and sha'n't get upp dare say
Sir Pierce, it's all right"
II dare say 1t is, Williams" remarked
the baronet carelessly.
When Sir Pierce had placed all the
jewels under lock and key, he babe me
goodnight, and retired.
Next day, before Lord Dashcliffe and
his fair bride went off on their honey
moon, the peer sent me a sovereign,
and five shillings for each man of the
guard He also gave orders that the
troopers should be allowed out for a
stroll round the town of Billoby, If they
chose. This indulgence was almost
universally taken advantage of.
1 did not leave Sir Pierce's grounds,
but instead, strolled about the garden
and park Late in the afternoon, when
1 was returning to the hall, met a
footman, almost out of breath, who eX-
claimed, Your officer. Mr.. Gloster,
wishes to see you at oncer'
1 quickened my steps, and approach
ing the hall, perceived Mr.. Gloster pac-
ing about in front of the portico. Ser
geant-major," he exclaimed, this is an
awkward business. General Wylkyns,
who after breakfast, was applied to en-
the subject by Sir Pierce, denies that
he took the ring out of the library last
night, and ayers that he laid it on the
table again. Who was the sentry at
the time?"
Clements, SIR" answered.
WAS he alone in the room at any
period during that portion of the eve
ning?"
Just a minute or two, sir" answer
ed, when l was outside ascertaining
if the general had hurt himself, as 1
heard him fall. Then Clements, for the
first time, l am almost positive, travers-
ed the whole length of the library to
the door opposite the western corridor,
in order to tell me that 1t was Sentry
gop"
do you think the man could have
the villiany and audacity to steal the
ring?" excitedly queried Mr.. Gloster.
Surely not, sir" replied. But of
this I am certain-I saw the ring last
in Mr.. Wylkyns' hand. That was
while he was talking to Sir Harry Bey-
nell, who was leaning over the table be-
side him. There was no other person
near it, excepting, perhaps, the. first
relief, Jones, sir. AS 1 was posting
him, Sir, Pierce came in, and remem-
Der the man walked about the room
while Sir Pierce was speaking to me-
The third man, Tomlin, was asleep up
stairs; he didn't go on until two"
At this instant Sir Pierce and General
Wylkyns approached accompanied by
the local inspector of police and two of
his sergeants.
General Wylkyns, who looked terri
bly, cut up, said to me sternly: "Now,
sergeant-major, do you know anything
ABOUT TINS rtng?
1 replied: only, sir, what mention
ed to Lieutenant Gloster just now.
saw it last in your hands"
The inspector interrupted: Excuse
me, general, but must first search all
sergeant-major, the SEN
tries, and all the men Of the guard of
honor. Assuming the first sentry to
have stolen it, he may have passed the
ring to comrade to avert detection
Sergeants Price and Davis, go to the
riding-school and carefully overhaul all
the soldiers valises and pouch-belts.
You, sergeant-major, remain here, and
let your men fall in as they arrive
And, please, don't allow a. single whis-
per of the supposed theft to transpire
A constable will be here Immediately
to assist me, when each will be search
ed in turn. And, General Wylkyns. I
must search you first"
'fMe!' exclaimed the surprised gener-
al.
Yes, sir; you may have placed the
ring in one of the pockets of yom dress
suit"
Il assure you, I examined it carefully
a few minutes ago."
"Still, there may be hole in the lin
ing, and it may have slipped through.
Stop, sirl Have yor valet here?"
mo" answered the general, "Sir
Pierce's man attended to the clothes
wore at the wedding My dress suit,
which I had on last night 1 left on a
chair in my dressing room"
''Who had accessvto your bedroom
and dressing room after you left it
this morning?"
Tive no idea; possibly q housemaid
or footman But I give you my word
Of honor that I'm certain I laid down
he ring before I lcft the library last |
night"
A rapid search was made Of the men,
including myself. but nothing came of |
t.
Clements stoutly and Indignantly de- /
lied ever having seen the ring, except |
when General Wylkyns was holding it |
Up for inspection.
l heard the general whisper to Mr.
floster: II wonder, now, if that satir-
cal rogue Beynell has annexed the ar
icle as a practical joke? He's bad
nough, but surely not so bad as thatp' |
The missing ring threw a complete
Iamper on the conclusion of our other
wise enjoyable outing, and all were
lad consequently, when we entrained