Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-04-06
W. VA. SATURDAY. APRIL s, 1895.

STAND up straight.
The Inspector and the detectives
who watched the wonderful transfer
nation had never before seen any
thing like it.
With an exclamation of astonish-
ment the woman sprang to he- feet
and advanced toward the man the
detectives knew as Gentleman Joe.
Joe turned and bowed with the
grace of a Chesterfield, and before
the astonished woman could say
word he asked in a voice that was
a perfect imitation of the well-bred
and educated foreigner, MAY I ask
to whom I am indebted for the hon.
or of this interview ~
MY dear Baron, this is terrible !
Really, did not know-belieye me.
did not suspect know you did
not take them This is an outrage
Will you please explain, Mr.. Inspec
tor %
The widow turned to the Inspec-
tor with flashing eyes, while Gentle
man Joe, or Baron Rudolph, took
chair and asked what it was all
about in the coolest manner posi-
| BILE.
The Inspector tried to explain the
situation to the widow, but she was
furious and would not listen. She
protested that i. was an outrage to
suspect that she had something to
do with his arrest.
The Baron FASTENED to assure the
widow that she was in no way to
blame. 1t was simply an awkward
mistake that had done no harm, and
would come out right in the end.
He laughed at the matter as a good
joke.
Inspector Byrnes could not
help but admire the wonderful nerve
OF the fellow and his ability as an
actor.
The widow demanded that the
Baron be released at once and ac-
company her home in her carriage,
but she was finally persuaded to go
alone and not make a scene. She
refused to listen to the suggestion
that he was the man who had pawn
ed her jewelry. She was positive a
cruel mistake had been made.
The Baron finally quieted her by
the assurance that he would be at
her house TO dinner that evening.
You did that well, Joe, but the
game is up now, and you had better
make clean breast of the whole
matter" said the Inspector when
the woman had gone.
But Gentleman Joe did not think
so. He continued to play the role Of
Baron Rudolph and INDUCED in a
few choice remarks about the stupid
ity of the Americans in general and
the American police in particular.
He was taken before the pawn.
broker where The widows jewels had
been pawned, but With his face still
drawn up to fit the character of
Baron Rudolph, no one there could
recognize him.
Joe was held prisoner several
days, but be refused TO talk, and he
would not resume his real character
so he could be idle ntified as the man
who pawnea the jewels.
Knowing from long experience
that criminals will always furnish
evidence to convict themselves if
given rope enough, the Inspector
finally released "Gentleman Joe,"
but he placed shadow on his trail,
with orders not to lose sight OF him
for moment. Two of the best men
in the office were put on the case,
and they did not lose sight of Joe.
He went back up town still in the
guise Of the Austrian Baron, and
called on the widow several times to
assure her that she was not to blame
for the unpleasant experience to
which he had been subjected. When
he asked her to name an early day
for the wedding she readily agreed.
Joe suspected that he was being
watched, and dared not pawn more
Of the widows jewels. He was al
most out of money, and late one
night while under the influence of
liquor entered faro bank to try to
win little cash.
Half an hour alter be went inside,
the shadow who watching across the
street heard shot. When the po-
lice forced their way into the gam
bling house Baron Rudolph, alias
"Gentlemsn Joe,7 was dead-shot
and killed in quarrel over cards.
When the body was searched at
the station house more ofthe widows
diamonds we're found. The widow
was sent for quietly, and readily
identified the body as that OF the
Baron.
A few hours after death the mus.
cles of the dead mans face relaxed,
and those who did not know the Sc
cret of his double life wondered
greatly at the change in his appear
ance.
Inspector Byrnes sent to Cherry
IT:l4