The Forrest City times., 1895-11-01
PRIEST CITY, ARK, FRIDAY AFTERNOON, NOVEMBER l. 1895

deslgn--yes, 1t must have been by de- sign, for no such mistake could possi- bly, have been made; the man in the other berth had substituted his clothes for mine.
 l flew to the electric bell, and rang vigorously for the steward. But by this time he was busy on deck, handing departing passengers their luggage and pocketing tips in return, and no one heard or needed my summons. It was impossible for me, half clad as was, to rush up above among the crowd; and as hastily as possible slipped Into the other mans clothes. I had come Off much worse over the bargain, for there was not sou in the pockets of the sub- stituted garments, while my watch and chain, money and jewelry were all missing.
 When 1 finally was in a condition to rush up the gangway-I need hardly say without finishing my toilet, for I was in my tor the other man's) shirt sleeves-I found that most of the pas- sengers had left the deck, though a small group of officers were standing on the shore side of the vessel, engaged in earnest consultation. The heads of couple of Dutch policemen, distin- i guished from the others by their curi- ons, low-crowned helmets, lowered above the group; and l at once rushed toward them, thanking the lucky chance that had brought them on the spot.
 Have you got him?" I shouted, ex- i citedly, no doubt cutting curious enough figure in the blue shirt and short trousers that my friend of the l night before had been considerate i enough to lend me.
 Tt looks rather as if we have," said one of the ships officers, glancing at me With singular expression that could not at all understand, in his eyes. Blue I shirt and light trousers-dark mus tache-thats all right, isn't it, officer 2" 1 he said in Dutch, to one of the police l men.
 l But where is he?" asked, in sur l prise, looking from one to the other. The fellows taken practically every thing-watch, chain, money, clothes"
 Let's have look at the other things" said one of the policemen, ig- noring my question altogether, and turning to meet the steward, who was stumbling up the gangway under the | weight of the clothes that had left in the cabin. Blue shirt, light trousers, dark mustache, astrachan overcoat, soft felt hat" he muttered, checking off the items with a cablegram he held in his hand. And he speaks Dutch pretty we'll, but with a foreign accent. Yes, my friend, I'm afraid we shall have to take charge of you for the present, in spite of your clever little ruse. Just put the rest of your things on, please, and come along quietly"
 But what's the meaning of all this ?" I asked in bewilderment, as the hand cuffs were clicked on directly had fin ished dressing. "A man steals my clothes and my money, and you lock me up for it. and allow him to escape. Is that the way things are usually man aged in Holland?"
 You'll see how things are managed In Holland where diamond thieves are concerned. quite soon enough. sir" said the man, curtly, evidently annoyed at my tone. Any explanations or ex- cuses ycu can give later on; in the meantime, perhaps you will accom- pany us quietly"
 Yes, and in the meantime this gem tleman is hurrying off as fast as trains can carry him to some out-of-the-way corner of Europe." l grumbled; but resistance was worse than useless, and. followed by a. small crowd of stolid urchins, we made our way along the tree-lined Bompjes to the police station.
 Here short interview with fiery faced and fiery-mustached officer told me the nature of my supposed offense, but did not in any way improve my prospects of release. The object of my cabin companion was now quite clear to me, though all my exclamations with regard to the change of clothes were smiled at by the officers, who evil dently thought them very clumsy excuses. I was accused of being con cerned in a large diamond robbery, and was supposed to have been travelling in Amsterdam in order to make use of my knowledge of precious stones in disposing of the spells among the fences" in the Jewish quarter of the town.
 The actual thief was confidential clerk to large firm of diamond mer- chants in London; his escape with the booty had been noticed a few hours after his departure from town. and full particulars of his clothing and general appearance had been cabled to Rotter- dam, with instructions to detain him