The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-11-23

was oozily seated in the corner Of q
first class railway carriage putting lazi1y
at cigar and looking out across the broad
fields of corn swaying to and fro in the
early morning breeze, and congratulating
myself on my success in an undertaking I
had just finished.
was the trusted and confidential sales
man for Messrs. Colby 81 Smith, diamond
merchants, Bond street. London, and in
that capacity had been up to Liverpool
to meet the steamers from Holland, which
had brought over some valuable specimens
of the precious stones for our firm, some
of which we needed at once, and now
had them secreted away in my gladstone
bag, which rested on the baggage rack
above my head. Having been on similar
errands before, 1 thought very little of the
fact that had many thousands Of pounds
worth of diamonds with me, and yet
whether from the previous nights excite
ment or from fatigue, knew not, could
not help glancing this time at the precious
burden rather anxiously and at the same
time feeling somewhat anxious as to its
safety. had the carriage to myself thus
far, and wondered if I should so be favored
to the end of my journey It was an ex-
press train and only made two stops be-
tween Liverpool and the great metropolis.
We had already reached the first and were
pulling up at the station. Before could
look out elderly looking individual in a
clerical suit entered the compartment with
a bag very much similar to mine and
rapidly pushed it under the seat which he
had already occupied in the opposite cor
ner. I looked at him for few moments
closely and at last made up my mind that
he was some country clergyman. After a
few moments silence he put down his
newspaper, which he had started to read
tho he had GpatP6 hiT0Calf
smiling said: Good morning, sir. Lovely
day. Won't you join me in cigar? 1 see
yours is already consumed And wishing
to be pleasant I returned the salute and
took the proffered weed and lit up with
him.
After few minutes conversation about
the crops and weather he requested me to
close my window, which was open few
inches, as the morning was damp and he
had been suffering with a severe cold. I
complied with his request, and after this
he took up his paper again and resumed
his reading. After a few puffs at my CT
gar, which was strong one, felt drowsy,
but remembering my busy night in Liver
pool, and that 1 had had no sleep, l
thought nothing of it. And then the
fumes of the strong cigar and the close
carriage must have overpowered me, for
the next moment as it seemed to me,
heard the gruff voice of the guard who
was pulling me by the arm and shouting,
London, sir-London!" I rubbed my
eyes drowsily, pulled myself together and
found myself sitting in my shirt sleeves
1 looked for my precious bag. Yes;
there it was on the rack where had left
it, but where was my companion? Of
course, he was gone, and looked out on
the platforms and saw the stream Of people
who had already left the train, which was
by this time deserted, except for few
porters and some baggage. 1 must have
been sleeping heavily, and how careless Of
me! And how was it I was in my shirt
sleeves? I looked around for my coat, and,
to my utter astonishment, instead of mine
there lay the coat of my clerical com Fanion
and his hat. I grasped for my watch to
see the time, but it was gone chain and all.
1 looked for my keys. Thank heavens,
they were safe in my trousers pocket, to-
gether with few silver coins. L took
down my portmanteau and proceeded to
unlock it, but the key didn't fit. Was I
crazy or what: I rubbed my eyes, pound
ed my head. No; I was awake and sane.
tried once again, but with the same re-
suit. Surely it was my bag. Yes; there
was my tag on it, bearing my name-John
Westerfeld, Bond street, London. 1 be-
came desperate ard decided to see the po-
lice at once. put on the clothes left me,
which fitted me fairly well, and directed
my footsteps toward Scotland Yard.
There 1 told my story. The bag was
forced open, and, in the place of my
toilet articles and the precious stones, was
a bundle of old newspapers The truth
dawned upon me. 1 had been robbed of
my clothes and the diamonds and had lit
tie or no information to give the police
Upon examining the bag 1 found that
mine, with my initials upon it, had been
taken, and this one left. We telephoned
to my employers, but both Mr.. Colby and
Mr.. Smith were out.
In despair 1 walked dejectedly out of
the Office of the chief of police and had
gone but few steps when l saw one of
my employers coming along all out of
breath toward me. I walked quickly for
ward to meet him, a glad hope springing
in my mind that perhaps after all the
thief had been caught. What a lucky
thing, Westerfeld. to be sure, that we
caught the fellowl' Caught him?"
gasped Yes; come in the Office and
will explain" We both turned toward the
police station, and there he and Mr.. Smith,
who had just come in, explained the mat
ter to me.
Both of them had expected me by that
train and CHANGED to be in the vicinity Of
the station at the time and were awaiting
my arrival on the platform.
just after the train pulled up they
caught a back view of my very counter
part, they said-traveling cap, blue over
coat and my portmanteau with my initials
on its side.
They caught him up In a few seconds,
and instead of my face, as they expected,
they saw that of a noted London jewelry
thief whom they recognized. Thoroughly
convinced that something was wrong with
me, they took in the situation at once and
held him till the police came. He was
taken to room in the station. The bag
was searched and found to be mine, with
the valuable diamonds and the firm s
books and my own personal articles. All
this was going on while was at the police
headquarters. The prisoner confessed the
plot 1t seems that a gang of which he
was a member had got hold of the news
that I ruaS To nn To Iivnrnnol and get the