The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1896-04-11
aold sv.nd.l.ri has outwits,d me-"

men. | did not, I'll swear IL To you,
but It amt no use denying Tin fact,
TO deny it would only make matters
worse"
They cant be much worse cried
Mr.. Briefly. "As sure as you fail to
turn up you'll be prosecuted for the
robbery, and convicted, too
"I1l be convicted If I'm prosecuted,
no natter whether I turn up or not"
answered Hedgehog, in hopeless tone.
sNo, it amt no use fighting against
fate. / tried a fall with Svendeleri, and
he has been toe many for me. But let
him do his worst now I'll be even with
him yet. No, gentlemen, I'll moi go
Into the box"
Both MFR. Briefly and Mr.. Pitt did
their utmost to induce Mr.. Hedgehog
to change his resolution, but all was
in vain. That being so, Mr.. Briefly
could merely announce next morning
that he could offer no rehuttai evil
denee. The jury. without hearing
either counsel or juGge, thereupon
promptly found verdict for the de-
PENDANT. and the judge directed that
the public prosecutor should be COM
nunicated with. The same evening
hedgehog was arrested on a warrant
on the charge of stealing Lady Rough
shod's diamonds.
Mr.. Pitt acted for Mr.. Hedgehog dur
ing his trial on this charge. He was
convicted and sentenced to five years
penal servitude.
After his conviction Hedgehog had
un interview with Mr. Pitt He thanked
the solicitor very warmly for his serv-
ices, Then he said he wanted him to
do him another service.
II want you to place watch on
Svendeleri, Mr.. Pitt said the convict.
earnestly. II want him watched night
end day, and II before six months is
cut you don't find for certain that I'm
innocent of this charge you can believe
| lied to you. I'll pay the costs in any
event"
Mr.. Pitt was much puzzled both at the
prisoners request and at the result be
expected from its being obeyed, but he
promised to have Svendeleri watched.
And watched Svendeleri was by one
of the cleverest private detectives in
London, and before the six months
mentioned by Hedgehog had elapsed
Mr.. Pitt received report from the pri-
sate detective that astonished him. 1t
was neither less nor more than this
that Syehdelefi had in his possession,
and was attempting to sell, diamonds
which corresponded in every way with
those stolen from Lady Roughshod.
Mr.. Pitt acted promptly and courage
ously. He had an information sworn,
obtained a search warrant, made a
raid on the premises of Syendeleri, and
within "a hours from receiving the pri-
yate detectives report the stolen dia-
monds were recovered and Svendeleri
was in custody. charged with having
stolen them or received them we'll know
ing them to be stolen
Though the prosecution could give
no evidence as to how the diamonds
came into the prisoners possession be-
yond the fact that Lord Roughshod's
valet on hearing of Svendeleri's arrest
had disappeared, there was no doubt
they were in his possession, and he
knew that they were stolen. Practi-
cally there was no defense to the char ge
and Svendeleri was at once convicted.
Then Mr.. Pitt petitioned the home sec
rotary for Hedgehog's discharge. This,
after some delay, was granted
On receiving his pardon Hedgehog
called at Mr.. Pitts Office to thank him
for his exertion3 on his behalf. After
doing so very earnestly, he said Il won
der would you have worked so hard for
me, Mr.. Pitt, If you had known the
whole facts?"
81 hope so" replied Mr.. Pitt.
81 suppose you would like to know
Them" said Hedgehog, slyJy.
well, the truth is, / would" an
swered Mr.. Pitt, smiling. 1.-THE fact is,
never was so puzzled over a case in my
life"
"Well, there can't be any harm tell
ing you them now-con tidentialiy, you
know. Now, / did not steal them di-
Lady Roughshol kept them until Sven
deleri told me You see, utter ! came
back from Stabstable he told me that
one Of the household there had told
him of them, and he said as owing TO
my report that the bonds must have
been taken by some one of the house
hold--which was right (they were
taken by the valet)-his friend was
afraid to steal the diamonds and he pro-
posed, as / knew the house and bureau
end all that, should take em re.
fused, saying | wasn't thief but q
private detective. Afterward the temp
tation to get em came awfully strong
to me, and / went down to Rotten
borough under false name tn recon
hotter. The county ball took place
while | was staying there, and ! planned
TO get the diamonds that night. pre-
tended at the George that ! was return
ing to town, and instead made my way
TO Stabstable hall. But everything
turned out badly While was dodg-
ing about the grounds l ran against
one of the servants and had TO bolt.
1t must have been Svendeleri's accom-
plice, the valet, but that didn't strike
me at the time. Then on getting back
10 Peterborough met the head waiter
Of the George. When / returned to town
| learned of the robbery, and, of course,
knew old Svendeleri had got the swag.
And that's the whole truth, sir"
But why did Svendelerl write those
post cards to your" asked the solicitor,
incredulously.