The Cape Girardeau Democrat., 1896-01-11
THE THIEF ON THE SHIP.

ships accounts before turning in that
night. 1t is quite a mistake, by tie
way, to think that we Pursers have no
more onerOus duties to perform when
at sea than to watch over the paSsen-
gers comfort, read papers on Sunday
and keep 4 store of nautical informa
tion at our finger ends for the benefit of
every curious voyager. Nowadays the
purser of crack American liHer-mak
ing, perhaps, record passage of six
days or so-has his work pretty well cut
out for him during the entire voyage.
On the present occasion had scarce
ly got my accounts fairly in hand when
1 was interrupted by slight tap at the
door. | arose at once and opened it,
and there stood Mrs. MeIhUrst's Cana
dian maid, with flushed face and nerv-
Gus, agitated manner.
rs there anything wrong?" asked,
with some surprise, when she had delly-
cred her message.
There is, sir" she replied, hastily.
"All know"
She was about to make some other
statement, but pulled herself up sud
denly and tripped along the deck with
out another word.
I switched off the electric light, locked
the door and hurried away after her.
When l got to Mrs. Melhursts state
room saw at once that something had
occurred to cause her serious anxiety.
The berths, the couch and even the
floors were Uttered with the contents
of cabin trunks and handbags. In the
midst of the confusion stood the lady
herself. looking decidedly perplexed
and annoyed.
This is very singular, Mr.. Morse"
she said, pointing to an empty jewel
case which lay open on the upper berth.
'My diamond ornaments are missing"
You don't say SOL" l exclaimed, in
sheer astonishment.
81 do say sol" she replied. sharply
"You can see for yourself that they are
gone"
"How did it happen?"
81 cannot possibly tell you. At din
ner this evening l happened TO mention
to Mrs. Latimer that l had picked up
certain crescent-shaped brooch on the
continent. She expressed Il wish to see
it. When the tables were cleared l
came in here, took out the brooch and
left the jewel case lying on the berth,
but when l got back the case was
empty"
Low long were you absent?"
Not more than half an hour
I was totally staggered. / examined
the lock carefully, but there was alb
solutely nothing to show that it had
been tampered with. / could hit upon
no better suggestion than that Mrs
Melhurst might possibly have mislaid
the jewels somewhere. This had the
sole effect of eXasperating the lady to
such degree-for il seems that she had
already searched every nook and corner
in the cabin-that l was glad to beat
retreat in order to lay the matter be-
fore the captain.
had just got to the head of the sa-
loon stairs when / heard some one
bounding up after me, three or four
steps at a time. l turned and saw Mr..
Carter-who, by the way, had made sew
eraI voyages with us on previous occa-
sions.
Il say, Mr.. Morse" he said, taking me
confidentially by the arm. you've got
some queer customers on board this
rip"
How SOP"
"Why, some ones gone and walked
off with my silver cigarette case,
couple OF rings and pair of gold"
The deuce!"
''Well, it looks uncommOnly like as
f the individual you refer to had a
hand in the business, for l don't see
how any ordinary mortal could get into
ones cabin, with the door bolted on
the (inside, unless he managed to
squeeze through the portfolio"
'Pon'my word, things were beginning
10 look serious and no mistake! l lost
no time in hunting up the captain and
made him acquainted with the state of
affairs. He was just as much puzzled
as [ was myself. The first thing next
morning he sent message to Mrs. Mel
hurst, requesting private interview in
his cabin on deck. He also signified his
wish that should be present. We both
questioned the lady closely, but her re-
plies did not tend to throw any light
upon the singular occurrence.
Nevertheless, we determined to keep
a close watch upon the stateroom in fu
ture. 1t was pretty evident we had a
"black sheep" on board-probably an
old hand at the business. For the next
few days we had no further complaints.
The thief was evidently lying low,"
waiting until tranquility was restored
before making fresh attempt. Mean
while | kept my eyes open. observed
the little peculiarities of the different
passengers and took particular note Of
the manner in which they occupied
their time.
On board ship when you find man
who shows n marked preference for his
own society above that of the loungers
on deck or habitues of the smoke
room one is inclined to jump at the
conclusion that he has some solid rea-
sons for his eXclusiveness. If, in addi-
ton to this. he happens to be of an un-
communicative disposition, with black
hair and swarthy complexion, given TO
wearing 4 slouch hat and long coat
rightly or wrongly, you put him down
Il Il ,,1,,