Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-08

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was it not? Well, do not see that you
have traced his hand to the crime"
II think that I have" said Mr..
Barnes.
"You do not make it clear to me-"
said Mr.. Thauret, as coolly as though
discussing some question in which he
had but passing interest. lyon say
that your Montalbon woman noticed
this Molitaire when she sold her dia-
rlonds. Later that both were missing
from Paris. The woman turned up in
New York, but how do you prove that
Molitaire did not go to-let us say Rus
sia:''
"No," said Mr. Barnes, che did not
go to Russia. Suppose that should tell
you that ferreted out the fact that this
name Molitaire was but an alias, and
that the mans true name was Montal-
bon? Then, when we remember that the
wOman's name had been cut from all
her garments, is that not Significant"
This speech made a mild sensation,
but Mr.. Thauret remained unmoved.
He replied calmly:
"All things are significant-how do
you interpret this fact, supposing that
you could prove it:''
"This Molitaire was really the dead
woman's husband. They quarreled
many years ago. and she went to New
Orleans, where she kept a gambling
house, having learned the trade from
him. When they met again in Paris,
she recognized him. Then, when the
fellow conceived the idea Of following
the jewels, il suited his purpose to ef-
feet a reconciliation so that he might
use the woman as a tool. After the
murder it would be to his interest to
hide the name of Montalbon by cutting
out the marks on the woman's cloth
ing
Pardon my pursuing the argument"
said Mr.. Thauret, "but I find it enter
tanning You surprise me, Mr.. Barnes,
at the ready way in which you read
mems actions. Only are you sure you
ere right! Suppose. for instance, that
the woman had cut out the marks her
self long before. at some time, when
she was using an alias, then your fact
would lose some of its significance,
would it not: Circumstantial evidence
is so difficult to read, you see! Then,
having lost that link. where do you
prove Molitaire or Montalbon guilty.
Being the woman's husband is no crime
in ITSELF
No." said Mr. Barnes, deciding that
the time had come for an end Of the
controversy being the woman's hus-
band does not count in itself. But when
l procure in Paris the photograph of
Molitaire, left by accident in his room
at his lodgings, and when 1 recognize
that as the same man whom Mr. Mitch
ell suspected and trapped into stealing
the ruby, and when upon my return to
New York / find that ruby upon that
very man and recover it, then we have
some facts that do count.
lyon recovered the ruby?'' said Mr..
Mitchell, amazed.
Here it is" said Mr.. Barnes, hand
ing it to Mr.. Mitchell. Mr.. Thauret bit
his lip, and by a strong endeavor re-
tanned his self control
MIR. Barnes" said Mr.. Mitchell, Il
am sorry to disappoint you. but this is
not my ruby"
"Are yen sure:" asked the detective
with a twinkle i'll his eye.
YES, though you deserve credit, for,
though not the ruby. it is the stolen
stone. have a complete set of dupli-
Gates of my jewels, and i'll making my
little experiment l did not care to bait
my trap with so valuable Il gem.
therefore used the duplicate. which is
this. But how have you recovered it,"
Il have been in New York for sever
al days. have devoted myself during
that time to a personal watch upon
Montalbon. Yesterday. TO my surprise.
he went to police headquarters and beg
ged for permit to inspect the stolen
Jewels, saying that through them he
might throw some light upon the mys-
terS. His request was granted. Suspect
ing treachery, subsequently obtained
a similar permit, and investigation with
the aid of an expert showed that the
bold scoundrel had handled the jewels.
and so managed TO change the imita-
ton stone which he stole at the festival
for the real one in the set which figured
in the train robbery"
by Jove, said Mr.. Mitchell, che is
an artist. Then l am indebted to you
after all for recovering the stone? But
tell us how did you accomplish it?'
II overheard Montalbon once say that
a wise thief would keep a stolen article
upon his person, so that it could not be
discovered without his knowledge.
Therefore / felt certain that he would
himself adopt this method. When the
conversation this evening reached a
point where it was evident that all
would be disclosed, the man. who is
present, dropped the ruby into his glass
of burgundy, where it would be out OF
sight and easily recovered or swallowed.
Later he attempted to dispose of it in
this way, but quickly drank his glass
of wine. the ruby thus passing into my
mouth. And now. Mr.. Montalbon,
arrest you in the name of the law" Say
ing which tie detective put his hand
upon Mr.. Thauret's arm. The other
guests jumped up, excited and expect
ing scene. To the establishment Of all.
Thauret remained quiet for few mo-
ments, and then, speaking slowly and