Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-02-14
AN ARFtSf IN CRIME
BY RoDR1GUEs oTToLENGUI.

opy right, 1895, by G. P. Putnam's Sons.
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took this form:
"Wilson is no match for Mr. Mitchell
That is evident wonder whether there
is any real object in this game of hide
and seek, or whether it is simply an in
timation to me that he cannot be shad-
owed. If the latter-well, we shall see.
Now let me think about those jewels
found in New Haven. They tally exact
lywith the description. Their discovery
complicates the case once more. l had
almost concluded that those in the safety
vaults were the ones stolen and that as
they really belong to Mr.. Mitchell, as
proved by his receipts, he stole them to
win his wager. In this way he ran no
risk, since, if the crime were brought
home to him, he could not be imprison-
ed, though he would lose the bet. Now
here is another set, evidently the right
ones. Mr.. Mitchell was plainly surprised
at sight of the list which I found. am
sure he did not know Of its existence.
Therefore he may equally well have
known nothing about this duplicate set
Of Jewels. In that case the occurrence OF
the train robbery on the very night OF
the wager may be simply coincidence.
He says that the dead woman was a
blackmailer and that he gave her the
address of his Paris jeweler. May he
not have bought his set from that very
man and may not this woman have
stolen the duplicate set recently and
brought them to this country? Plainly
the Paris jeweler must be looked up. l
have his name, which I copied from the
bill of sale. If this line of argument is
true, some one has followed this woman
from France in order to rob her, after
allowing her to accomplish the risky
business of smuggling Is that person
our friend Thauret? Along this line OF
argument we arrive at the conclusion
that Mr.. Mitchell has not yet committed
his crime. He hinted that I should re-
member this if / should exculpate him
from those already committed. But do
I? Why did he show me that ruby and
say that he meant to present it to his
sweetheart? Will he give it to her and
then rob her Of itf If SO, will she be in
the plot and make hue and cry, SO that
the papers may make noise: That was
a part of the agreement in making his
bet. But, after all, what about that but
ton? No explanation explains which
does not throw light upon that. "
Here Mr.. Barnes was interrupted by
the announcement that Mr.. Randolph
wished to speak with him. 1t must be
remembered that Mr.. Randolph was not
aware of the fact that the conversation
in the sleeping car had been overheard.
Brought face to face with MIR. Barnes,
he felt confused and hesitated.
"Mr. Randolph, / believe, said the
detective, glancing at the card which
had been sent in. "Be seated. You have
come to see me about this Mitchell case?"
The rising infection with which the
last word was spoken seemed almost
unnecessary to MIR. Randolph. For If
the man could ask such question he
might as we'll have made it positive
statement This assumption of knowl-
edge made him more than ever confident
of the skill Of detectives, and especially
of the one before him.
"You know that?" said he Would
you mind telling me howl"
"We detectives are supposed to know
everything, are we not:' This was said
with an affable smile, but the answer
plainly indicated that Mr.. Barnes pre-
ferred not to be interrogated. Mr.. Ran
dolph therefore concluded to hurry
through with his unpleasant business.
"Mr. Barnes, I have confession to
make, and"-
Il must interrupt you, to remind you
that whatever you say is unsolicited,
and that if you incriminate yourself the
evidence will be used against you. "
"Thank you for your warning, but l
have come here that I may not be in
criminated. The facts, in brief, are sim.
ply these" Then he narrated as accu-
rately as he could recall them all the
circumstances in connection with the
wager Mr.. Barnes listened as though
it was all a new story to him. lie even
jotted down few notes on a bit of pa
per as though for reference. At the con-
clusion he said:
"This is most astounding tale, Mr..
Randolph. 1t is very difficult to believe
that man like Mr.. Mitchell, who GER
tainly seems to be gentleman, would
undertake to become criminal simply
to win sum of money. Now you must
have been thinking this over, and, if
so, you have some explanation to offer.
Would you mind telling it to me?"
II should be glad to do So" Mr.. Ran
dolph spoke eagerly. In his heart he
was fond of his friend, and therefore
his theory was one which in a measure
would excuse him. He was delighted to
have the chance OF contiding his views
to the detective. lou see" he contin-
ued, "it is one OF the most difficult
things in the world to say who is and
who is not perfectly sane. Some experts
contend that nine-tcnths Of the people
in the world are affected by mania Ill
some form or other. l hold that any
man who makes collection Of any
kind of things, using them for other
than their legitimate uses, is i'll meas
ure insane.
"Do you mean legally insane? That
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