The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-13
PART Nv.

Jack pinney, the secOnd-stOry bur-
glar. like his infamous companion,
Gleason, had seen almost all parts of
the world. Travel had enriched his vo-
cabulary TO such an extent that few
men could have followed with COM
plete understanding the tale that he
told. 1t was embellished with the cant
of criminals in hundred cities scat
tered over the globe; so that even New
comb, the student of unrighteousness,
was frequently obliged to ask for a
translation of some word or phrase.
1t win be impracticable, therefore, TO
reproduce the story literally in the pres
ent narration.
:, 1t appeared that on account of some
infracton of the law, Pinney was
obliged TO quit his native land very sud
k,nly and with all possible secrecy. a
Brief study of extradition treaties in
clined him in favor of Spain, and he ac-
cordingly took passage in a steamer
leaving New York for Mediterranean
ports, and touching at Gibraltar. Skill
and good fortune enabled him 10 eluoe
the authorities on both sides of the
water, and within month he found
himself in the Spanish capital, SEEM
ingly quite free from danger of an
noyance by the police. But though he
had outstripped the officers of the law,
an enemy quite as much TO be dreaded
was overtaking him; namely, poverty.
His funds had been somewhat scanty
when he left New York, and n thief
is seldom frugal. He had hoped TO
thrive by his own iniquitous trade, but
Spain is robbed too much by the Span
iards TO afford a ready harvest to the
stranger. His knowledge of the lam
guage was at that time very imper-
feet. and the deficiency hampered him.
He could not easily form advantageous
alliances with the members of his own
profession, nor catch the hints that
help clever man to rob his neighbor.
Pinney's last dollar was in sight when,
in an eating house that lad once been
frequented by. English-spealSing people
and still made some pretense OF effort
to supply their wants, 'he chanced to
take UP an American magazine wherein
he read the story of the unlucky ring
of King Alfonso XII. That ring, as the
reader may remember was made for
the father of the present Aoy king. II
was regal trinket, magnificently set
y&th diamonds and pearls. Alfonso
gave II TO his cousin, Mercedes. on the
day of their bctrothal. and IL Is said
abe valued il more highly than is coya-
mon with the great, to whom such bau-
bles are familiar. Perhaps the occa-
eion gave IL worth, but we are not ac'
customed to regard the marriages OF
royal pcrsonages as matters of sentf
anent. However, Mercedes wore the
ring for the brief day that remained
to her of life, and when She was gone,
Alfonso gave the gold circlet with its
diamonds and pearls TO Queen Chris
tina, his grandmother. Her days were
few, and the ring was the kings again.
He bestowed IL upon his sister, the
Infanta del Pillar who survived the fatal
gift about one month. The ring was
then given to the youngest daughter
of the Due de Montpensier, and she
die>i within three months.
Alfonso XII. and MI his court might
we'll have viewed the ring with sus-
picion after such series of events, and
yet not have been held more supersti-
tious than other people. That 1t was
20 regarded by the king is "A matter Of
record. He would not give it to any
one; yet strangely enough he allowed il
10 be put away i'm his own treasure box;
and he died in less than year.
Evidently no mortal life was proof
ngainst the evil power of the ring. The
rulers of the states, after the kings
death. so decided, and they ordered that
the deadly ring should pass out Of
human keeping. II was suspended 10y
a silken cord around the neck of the
bronze statue of the Maid of Almodma
the patron saint of Madrid, whose sane
/ tity WAS deemed more than sufficient
to ncutralize the malevolence of the
demon that Gwelt in the ring. Though
the statue stood in n public square no
watch was set TO guard the costly
trinlSet. Its story was thought quite
sufficient TO protect it. and the course
of events seemed to prove the accuracy
of that Judgment. No thief i'm all Spain
showed any disposition to barter his
life for the ring, doubly protected by
its own reputation and the sainted
Maid to whose care 1t had been com
mitted.
But Jack Pinney was not Spaniard.
He was n cold-blooded Yankee who die
not believe in anything. lie did no
Aven believe that the ring was there