Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-01-22

slveIy, and Il few tears coursed down
her face. Mr.. Barnes mused few mo.
ments and seemed not to be observing
her.
"What was the value of these jewels?"
lone hundred thousand dollars. "
"By what express company were they
sent to you?" The question was sim
pie one, and Mr.. Barnes asked it rather
mechanically, though he was wondering
if the thief had come across the ocean
from France, perhaps. He was therefore
astonished at the effect produced. The
woman arose suddenly. her whole man.
ner changed. She replied with her lips
compressed tightly, as though laboring
under some excitement.
"That is not essential Perhaps am
telling too much to stranger anyway.
Come to my apartment this evening,
and l will give you further particulars
If decide to leave the case in your
hands. If not. will pay you for what
ever trouble you have in the interim.
Good morningP'
Mr.. Barnes watched her leave the
room without Offering to detain her or
making any comment on her singular
manner. Without rising from his seat
he looked out of the window and strum-
med on the pane. What he thought it
would be difficult to tell, but presently
he said aloud, though there was no one
to hear him:
| II think she is liar"
Having relieved himself thus, he re-
turned 10 his own coach. He found two
gentlemen in the toilet room allowing
themselves to be searched, laughing over
the matter as huge joke. He passed
by and entered his own compartment,
which the porter had put in order. One
after another the few passengers arose,
heard of the robbery and cheerfully
passed through the ordeal Of being
searched
At last his patience was rewarded by
seeing the curtains Of No. 8 moving,
and a moment later fine looking young
man of six and twenty emerged, partly
dressed, and went toward the toilet.
MIR. Barnes sauntered after him, and en-
tered the smoking room. He had scarce
ly seated himself before man entered,
who was evidently the other occupant of
aection s While this second man was
washing, the conductor explained to
the other about the robbery, and sug
gested that he allow himself to be search
ed. By this time the conductor was be-
coming excited. They were within a
few minutes of New York, and all his
passengers had been examined save these
two. Yet these two looked more aristo-
cratic than any of the others. He was
astonished, therefore, to observe that the
young man addressed seemed very much
disturbed He stammered and suffered,
seeking words, and finally in hoarse
voice addressed his companion:
bob, do you hear, there's been a
robbery!'
His friend Bob was bending over the
water basin, his head and face covered
with stiff soap lather and his hands
rubbing his skin vigorously. Before
replying he dipped his head completely
under the water, held it SO submerged
a moment, then stood erect with eyes
shut and reached for towel. In mo-
ment he had wiped the suds from his
eyes, and looking at his friend he an
swered most unconcernedly:
"What of it?'
But-but-the conductor wants to
search me. D."
Cali right What are you afraid Of?
You are not the thief, are you?"
"No-but"-
"There is no but in it. If you are in
nocent, let them 60 through you" Then
with light laugh he turned to the glass
and began arranging his cravat. His
friend looked at him moment with an
expression which no one but Mr.. Barnes
understood The detective had recog-
nized by their voices that it was Bob
who had made the wager to commit u
crime, and it was plain that his friend
already suspected him. His fright was
occasioned by the thought that perhaps
Bob had stolen the jewels during the
night and then secreted them in his
clothing, where if found the suspicion
would not be on Bob.
MIR. Barnes was amused as he saw the
young man actually searching himself.
In few minutes, with sigh Of in
tense relief, having evidently discovered
nothing foreign in his pockets, he turned
to the conductor who stood waiting and
expectant.
"Mr. Conductor" he began, II fear
that my conduct has seemed suspicious
I can't explain. but nevertheless am
perfectly willing to have you make a
search. Indeed I am anxious that it
should be thorough one. The exam
ination was made, and as with the
others, nothing was found.
Here is my card. l am Arthur Ran
dolph, of the firm Of j. q. Randolph &
Son, bankers. Mr.. Randolph stood
trif1e more erect as he said this, and the
poor conductor felt that he had done
him a grievous wrong. Mr.. Randolph
continued: "This is my friend, Robert
Leroy Mitchell will vouch for him. "
At the name Mitchell Mr.. Barnes was
trife startled. 1t was the same as
that which had been given by the wom-