Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-01-24


'True, but obtained from her all
the documentary evidence which she
had. SO that rendered her powerless to
annoy me further. You said awhile ago
that it was serious admission for me
to make that I was in this woman's
power. I suppose you meant that such
fact supplied a motive for this murder.
Now you see that this is not true, since
can prove that released myself from
that position year ago."
How can yen prove thatf"
II have the woman S receipt, in which
she states that for the sum Of $4,000,
or its equivalent, she delivers to me
family documents, ETC..
Have yon the documents still?"
II prefer not to reply to that ques-
ton
Every good, but answer me this one:
Where did you obtain this leather case
and what does it contain?" As he said
this the detective picked up the case and
held it before Mr. Mitchel's eye. That
gentleman was evidently confused for n
moment. but finally answered.:
ut contains some jewels"
"Jewels: That is what 1 thought.
May I examine them:''
mot with my permission.
Then l must do so without" And
with quick movement the case Law
open on the table. 1t was lined with
black satin and contained gems similar
to those described i'll the paper found in
the dead woman's pocket. What seemed
more Important, however, was a piece
OF writing paper upon which Mr.. Barnes
found an exact copy of the list and de-
scription which he had in his pocket.
The detective noticed with astonishment
that though Mr.. Mitchell had refused to
permit this examination of the contents
of the case he made no effort to prevent
1t, and now sat back looking on in the
most unconcerned way.
"Mr. Mitchell" said Mr.. Barnes,
why did you object to my looking into
this case:"
II never show my jewels to-stran-
gers. 1t is wrong to tempt people.
"You are impertinent. sir! What do
you meant
Il mean that I regulate my life by
though do not doubt your honesty, you
are stranger to me and so come within
the operation Of my rule"
Your cool impotence will not avail
you in this instance. These are the
stolen jewels.
Indeed! Do you discover that, as you
claim to have detected the thief, simply
bv looking at them?'' Mr. Mitchell as
sumed that sarcastic tone which had sew
eral times irritated tho detective.
Have done wi:t child's play" said
Mr.. Barnes. II have list of the lost
jewels, and this case, with its contents,
accurately matches tho description.
What is more, this list in your posses
sion is the facsimile of the one which
have in my pocket -
"Ah, now we come to tangible facts
and leave the realm of psychology"
said Mr.. Mitchell, leaning forward, with
evident interest. "Let me understand
this. You have list of the stolen jew
els. That paper is a facsimile of this
one here. The description, too, tallies
with the case and jewels Is that
right:'
''That is quite right. Now can your
remarkable inventive faculty fashion a
story to meet this emergency"
MIR. Barnes. You do me an injustice.
I am no romancer. That is the differ
ence between myself and the criminal
class, with which you deal. Those poor
devils commit a crime and depend upon
Il sequence of lies to clear themselves
On the contrary, 1 follow this rule, Re
fuse to answer all questions, or else an
swer truthfully' Now, in this case there
are some points as puzzling to me as to
yourself. Them l shall not attempt to
explain. One of them is how you can
possibly have a duplicate list of my jew
els-for these are mine, assure you"
"Here is the list, said the detective,
taking it from his pocket and compar-
ing it with the other. land. by heav-
ems" he continued, 1.-The writing is the
same!"
"That is interesting Let me look, u
said Mr.. Mitchell. With which he arose,
walked around to the other side of the
table and stood leaning over the detect
i've. "You see, do not ask you to let
me take your paper from you. You
might suspect that would destroy it. u
Mr.. Barnes handed both papers to him
| without word. Mr.. Mitchell bowed as
he took them and returned to his seat.
After a moments careful examination
he handed them back, saying:
"I agree with you, Mr.. Barnes. The
writing is the same. What deduction dc
you draw from that fact?"
"What deduction? Why, found this
description of the stolen jewels in the
pocket of a dress belonging to Rose
Mitchell"
"What? Do you mean to say that she
was the woman who was robbed?" The
blank amazement upon MIR. Mitchel'f
face disconnected Mr.. Barnes, for if be
did not know this. the mystery seemed
deeper than ever.
"Do you mean that you did not know
it?'' asked Mr.. Barnes.
"How should l know?"
This caused silence. Both men stop.
ped moment to consider the situation.