Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-01-22
Copyright, 1895, by G. P. Putnam's Sons
CHAPTER II.


A DARING AND SUCCESSFUL TRAIN ROB-
Berry.
The train was just approaching STAN
ford, and from the window in the Sec
ton which he occupied Mr.. Barnes was
watching the sun glowing red over the
hilltops, when he heard approaching
him the guasd who had assisted him to
jump aboard the night before. The man
was making mysterious gestures. from
which Mr.. Barnes understood that he
was wanted. he arose and followed the
porter to the smoking room.
"I think you called yourself Barnes, I"
said the man, "as you jumped aboard
last night"
eyes; what Of it?''
"Are you Mr.. Barnes, the detective?"
"Why do you ask?"
because, if you are, tho conductor
wants to see you. There was a big rob-
berry committed on the train during the
night.
"The devilp'
Exactly, but will you come into the
next coach?''
"Wait minute. Mr.. Barnes went
back into the main rart Of the coach
and tiptoed toward No. 8. Gently NOV
ing the curtains, he peeped in and
looked long and earnestly. BE saw two
men undoubtedly sleeping soundly.
Satisfied, therefore, that he could leave
his watch for brief period, he followed
the porter into the next coach, where
he found the conductor waiting for him
in the smoking room.
"You are Mr.. Barnes, the detective?"
asked the conductor. Mr.. Barnes as
sented.
"Then wish to place in your hands
officially most mysterious case. We
took on lady last night at Boston, who
had ticket to South Norwalk. AS we
were approaching that point a short
time ago she was notified by the porter.
She arose and dressed preparatory to
leaving the train. A few minutes later
I was hurriedly summoned, when the
woman, between hysterical sobs, in
formed me that she had been robbed. Z"
"Of much?"
"She claims to miss satchel contain
ing $4,000 in jewelry."
"You have stated that adroitly. She
claims to missl What evidence have you
that she has met with any loss at all?'
"Of course we cannot tell about the
jewelry, but she did have satchel,
which is now missing. The porter re-
members it, and we have searched thor
oughly, with no success. "
"We have stopped at New Haven and
at Bridgeport How many persons have
left the train?"
"No one has left the sleepers.
"When you say that no one has left
the sleepers, I suppose you mean you
saw no one leave?"
"Nol Imean just what said. 1have
sent the porters through the coaches,
and they report that all our passengers
are in their berths But here we come to
point If no one has left the train,
then the thief must be aboard?''
"Certainlyl"
"The woman when she discovered her
loss concluded to remain aboard and go
on to New York. All the other passen-
gers save one are booked for New York.
That one is man, and he is now dress
ing, as his destination is Stamford. If
he leaves, he may take the jewels with
him, yet what am to do?"
Estate the facts Of the case to him. If
be is innocent, he will willingly submit
to being searched. If, however, he re-
fuses-well, we can be guided by cir.
cumstances. Call him in here now."
A few minutes later foreign and dis
tinctly French appearing man entered.
In speech he disclosed his origin, but
the accent was slight. He was of fine
appearance, dignified and gentlemanly.
Mr.. Barnes sat at the window looking
out. The conductor with considerable
hesitancy explained the case, concluding
with:
"You see, my dear sir, this is an awk-
ward business, but we are SO sure that
the thief is still aboard that
"That you hesitate to allow me to
leave the train, ell, monsieur, is it not
so? Yet why should there be any trou-
BILE? An honest man must never be hurt
in his feelings when he is asked to assist
the law, even though for the moment he
is himself a-what you call it-suSpect! !
In this case it is so simple if only the
honest men will make no trouble. They
will say to you, Search mep You do
so, and at last one comes who says,
you insult mep That one is of course
the thief, eh, monsieur? Do you not agree
with me?" He turned toward Mr..
Barnes. addressing this last remark to
him. The detective looked at him mo-
ment steadily, as was his wont when he
meant to remember face. The French
man returned the gaze undisturbed.
"I said almost the same thing to the
conductor before you came in" said MI
Barnes.
Exactly So Now, then, with your
permission I will disrobe. Look, if you
please, most carefully. My honor is al
stake. The more carefully you examin"
the less suspicion can attach to me here
after"
The conductor made thorough
search. emptying every pocket and tax
ing every precaution. He did not expect
70 find ANYTHING hnr il was essential