Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-11-07

Yes, my friend, I'm afraid we snail 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 p"
l asked in bewilderment, as the hand
cuffs were clicked on directly had fn-
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, CURLY, evidently annoyed at
my tone. "Any explanations or ex-
cuses you can give later on; In the
meantime, perhaps you will accom-
pany us quietly"
Eyes, and in the meantime this gen
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 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 oil my EXPLANATIONS
with regard to the change Of clothes
were smiled at by the officers, who evil
IDENTIFY thought them very clumsy
excuses. l was accused Of being con-
cerned in large diamond robbery, and
was supposed to have been travelling
In Amsterdam in order to make use Of
my knowledge Of precious stones In
disposlng Of the spoils 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 few hours
after his departure from town, and full
particulars of his clothing and general
appearance had been oabled to Rotter-
dam, with instructions to detain him
on the arrival of the boat. But my
friend" had foreseen some difficulty
Of this kind and had laid his plans ac-
cordingly.
Selecting me as a man of about his
own height andappearance, he had man.
aged easily enough to change the
clothes IN the cabin, the drugged cigar
aiding him in his scheme. Clad IN my
brown ulsterand travelling cap, he had
passed off the deck with the other pas
sengers without attracting any special
attention, and was probably in the act
Of negotiating with Amsterdam traders I
ut the moment Of my examination by q
the officers at the station. I
The fact that | had no diamonds in L
my possession at the time of my arrest t
meant nothing; they might have been |,
anywhere in the vessel, or s
wen have been thrown overheard The [
'teward, to whom appealed for sup Ii
'ort OF my story, could only assert that II
lie had found me asleep, or feigning 81
leep, while the other passengers were tt
III preparing to land-and, Of course, tt
his told against me. There was only II
me man in Holland who could help me la
ut OF my scrape, and at the name Of Ia
an der DEM, diamond merchant, Of IN
amsterdam and Hatton Garden, the W
Ulcers looked even more suspicious re
hough they promised that he should
Q communicated with "in due course"
was compelled to content myself with ID
iis, and resigned myself to my fate.
! suppose I must have spent four or T.
We hours In confinement and was be- r.
inning to wonder whether was fated ~
pass the night in like fashion, when 10
lie key suddenly turned in the lock, la
nd a warder entered, closely followed sb
my friend Van der DEM. ,
my dear fellow" said the old boy, nd
fusively, rushing toward me and grip wi
ng me by the hands, what an adven- de-
Ire to have had, to be su-el But all's plc
ell that ends well, and when you have is
anged your clothes we will start for
at once. Chris is getting ,
lite anxious about you. na
why, certainly. We've got the ~,
othes and the jewelry, and the dia- ' w..
onds, and, what's quite as important, IT,,
e man himself. It's the most curious 40,
ing ever knew in my life. Christina Is
d were expecting you hours back, fp,
d | was going to the station to see ion
lat had become of you, when l sud- tan
My caught a back view Of your coun- the
'part-travelinQ. can. aud that brown tiol