Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-01
CHAPTER /

/ am quiet, middle aged gentleman
who has been a jeweler in Maiden lane.
New York, for rising 80 years. may
be permitted To say that have family
Of whom I am fond. and that my cir
cumstances are satisfactory. Understand
NJ the beginning Of this story that am
not the hero. and have only set out %
relate the occurrences that came 10 my
knowledge. and in which. from the trend
of circumstances, Twas compelled to act
a leading part.
A certain October day, few years
ago was one Of the most dismal ever
experienced. The downfall Of rain was
constant for two days. and when night
closed in the steady drizzle continued.
We had not seen customer since the
forenoon, and allowed my two clerks
10 90 home early. There was nothing
for them TO do after placing the stock
within the massive safe, and / was III
that state Of unrest when was glad 10
be freed from seeing their faces
/ would have left the store at the
same time but for call from my old
friend. Carl Wittner. the detective,
who. with the remark that he knew l
would DO lonely. walked behind the
counter and back into my private office.
where joined him and We lit our ci.
gars.
was glad to see him. Wittner was
al officer Of exceptional skill. bright,
intelligent, we'll educated. and am sure
thoroughly honest We had been friends
for years, and he knew that he need
never wait for an invitation to visit me.
Ho was always welcome.
The genuine detective is not man
TO tell his secrets or boast OF his ex'
ploits. rs members OF the profession do
in fiction. Nevertheless | am satisfied
that Wittner let me know more of his
doings than any other person. He some
times appealed 10 me for counsel in GER
tain matters, but inasmuch as. so far as
/ could learn, he generally took MI op'
posite course from what recommended
(and must confess with good results,
rs q ru.e) suspect that he had little
purpose except to compliment me.
We had talked 3 minutes or so upon
nothing iu particular when the door OF
the store opened and man entered
.Is it possible that have custom
er?' remarked, rising and walking for
ward to greet the caller.
was struck by his appearance. He
was tall, elegantly formed and dressed
and evidently foreigner. He set down
his dripping umbrella in the stand. and
them as he turned. l gained good view
Of him.
His hair. eyes, mustache and imperial
were as black as the ravens wing. His
teeth were glistening white and his
complexion as swarthy as Spaniard's,
though was sure he was not native
of Europe His gloves, silk hat and at
tire were Of fashionable make, and dia-
mond Of the first water glistened Oh his
scarf.
Years before l had spent several
weeks in Calcutta, and prompted by a
curious whim said:
"Rajah sahib salaam. Ap ka mizay
kaisa hai:"
These words are Hindoostanee and
mean: Peace to you, honorable sir.
How is your temper today"
The black eyes flashed, the white
teeth showed behind the jetty mustachc,
and he instantly broke forth with lot
Of words which could no more under
stand, except that they were in the
same language employed by me, than /
could speak Chootaw.
~ picked up only few sentences
when in India, replied, with laugh.
"If you are familiar with English. let
Us confine ourselves to that.
with pleasure, he replied, his ac-
cent faultless. II suppose nearly every
language is spoken in New York, and l
was delighted to hear my own. but l
think can make my meaning clear in
your tongue.
lam sure no one could speak it more
correctly. ] shall be pleased to serve
you, If in my power.
81 thank you, sir. You are dealer
In precious stones, observer"
He glanced about the store as ha
spoke, and inclined my head.
81 have something I would like to
show you.
'T shall be glad to see it.
He reached his hand inside his vest
and drew forth one of those small
green pasteboard boxes such as are
used to hold certain kinds of jewelry,
and lifting the lid took from the soft
pinkish cotton the most wonderful gem
have ever looked upon.
A man who has been In business for
80 years in Maiden lane sees about all
there is worth seeing In that line, and
during my travels had beheld some OF
the great jewels Of the world. may
say that had he produced the Kohinoor
itself my amusement would not have
been greater.
That which ] took between my Thumb