The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-08-01

70 the end Of the corridor that ran parable
with the library, and ascending the stair
called the second man, whose name wa
| Jones.
While 1 was relieving Clements, 81
Pierce Wylkyns came In with the butler
The baronet remarked to me: "Sergean
major, think IL will be better to lock NJ
all the small articles in cabinet. viii
liams here will clear them away. Hulloap
he exclaimed exsitedly. where on earti
Is that emerald ringp"
Sure enough Prince Rupert's emerald
was missing.
81 beg pardon, Sir Pierce, " 1 remarked
General Wylkyns had it in his hand only
q few minutes ago. Possibly he may hav,
inadvertently placed it in his pocket. He
informed me- Sir Pierce that he was GO
ing to bed"
Sir Pierce fumed for minute and then
said to the butler "Just go and tap at my
brothers door-he can't be asleep yet
and ask him to give you the ring"
Williams disappeared and Sir Pierce be.
gan carefully to place the smaller articles
Of jewelry on a silver waiter.
When the butler returned he said TO his
master: II knocked at General Wylkyns'
door, Sir Pierce, and told him your mes
sage. He called out I'm in bed, and
shan't get upp dare say, Sir Pierce,
it's all right"
81 dare say It is, williams, F." remarked
the baronet carelessly.
When Sir Pierce had placed all the Jew.
els under lock and key, he bade me good
night and retired.
Next day before Lord Dashcliffe and his
fair bride went off on their honeymoon
the peer sent me sovereign and shil-
lings for each man of the guard. He also
gave orders that the troopers should be al
lowed out for stroll round the town of
Billoby If they chose This indulgence
was almost universally taken advantage of.
did not leave Sir Pierce's grounds, but
instead strolled about the garden and
park. Late in the afternoon, when / was
returning to the hall, met footman al
most out of breath who exclaimed, "Your
officer, Mr.. Gloster, wishes to sec you at
once"
Iquickened / my steps, and approaching
the hall perceived Mr.. Gloster pacing about
in front of the portico. "Sergeantmajor, "
he exclaimed, "this is an awkward busi-
ness. General Wylkyns, who, after tie
breakfast, was applied to on the subject
by Sir Pierce, denies that he took the ring
out of the library last night and AYERS
that ne laid it on the table again. Who
was on sentry at the timer"
Clements, sir, y answered
"Was he alone in the room at any period
during that portion of the EVENING""
just minute or two, sir" answer
ed, when / was outside ascertaining If
the general had hurt himself, as l heard
him fall. Then Clements, for the first
I nj f,a, a..
whole length of the library to the door
opposite to the western corridor in order
to tell me that IL was sentry 90. "
"Do you think the man could have the
villaiDy and audacity to steal the ringp"
excitedly qucried Mr.. Gloster.
"Surely not, sir" replied. "But Of
this am oertain-I saw the ring last in
General Wylkyns hand. That was while
he was talking TO Sir Harry Beynell, who
was leaning over the table beside him.
There was no other person near it except
ing perhaps the first relief, Jones, sir. AS |
/ was posting him Sir Pierce came in, and |
l remember the man walked about the |
room while Sir Pierce was speaking to
me. The third man, Tomlin, was asleep |
up stairs. He didn't go on until g."
AT this instant Sir Pierce and General
Wylkyns approached, accompanied by the |
local inspector of police and two of his
5ergeants
General Wylkyns, who looked terribly
out up, said to me sternly, "Now, SER
geant major, do you know anything about
this ringP"
replied: "Only, sir, what mentioned
TO Lieutenant Gloster just now. l saw it
ast in your hands"
The inspector interrupted: Excuse me-
general, but l must first search all con-
sergeant major, the sentries
md all the men of the guard of honor. As
'uming the first sentry to have stolen 1t,
le may have passed the ring to comrade
20 avert detection. Sergeants Price and
Davis, go to the riding school and care
'ully overhaul all the soldiers valises and
'ouoh belts. You, sergeant major, remain
lere, and let your men fall in as they ar
i've. And, please, don't allow single
whisper OF the supposed theft to transpire
4 constable will be here Immediately to
Issist Inc, when each will be searched In
urn. And, General Wylkyns, l must
earch you first"
"MeP' exclaimed the surprised general.
Yes, SIR; you may have placed the ring
n one of the pockets of your dress suit"
II assure you, / examined 1t carefully a
ew minutes ago."
"Still, there may be hole in the lining
nd 1t has slipped through. Stop, sir
lave you valet herep'
mo" answered the general "Sir
'terce's man attended to the clothes wore
t the wedding. My dress suit, which / I
ad on last night, l left on chair in my
ressing room"
who had access to your bedroom and
ressing room after you left it this morn
lgY"
"I've no idea-possibly housemaid or
footman. But 1 give you my word of
onor that I'm certain / laid down the
ing before left the library last night"
A rapid search was made of the men, In
uding myself, but nothing came of it.
Clements stoutly anu Indignantly de-
led ever having seen the ring, except
hen General Wylkyns was holding it up
)r inspection.
heard the general whisper to Mr.. Clos
n: II wonder now If that satirical rogue
eynell has annexed the article as a prac-
cal joker He's bad enough, but surely
OF so bad as that' I
The missing ring threw a complete
amper on the conclusion of our otherwise J
,joyable outing, and all were glad con.
quently when we entrained and ratified !
to London. l
A daV or tWO after nur 1.at,,rr tr II,,no | !