The broad ax., 1896-05-16
Who Vas The Thief.

-Mrs. Melhurst's compliments, air,
ana would you please come down 70
her vtnteruom immedIatelyP
had Just shut myself Into my little
eesce on deck, having run through the
ships accounts before turning In that
night. 1t is quite a mistake, by the
way, to think that we pursers have
no more onerous duties to perform
when at sea than 70 watch over the
passengers comfort read prayers on
Sunday, and keep a store CT nautical
information at our anger-ends for the
benefit Of every curious voyager. Now
sdays the purser C crack American
liner making perhaps record pas
sacs Of six days or sofas his work
pretty well cut out Tor him during the
entire voyage.
On the present occasion 1 had scarce
iy got my accounts fairly In hand when
II was interrupted by a slight tap at
the door. I rose at once and opened
It and there stood Mrs. Melhurst's
Canadian maid, with flushed face and
nervous, agitated manner.
! Els there anything wrong." asked.
with some surprise. when she had de-
iiVered her message.
there Is, sir,f she replied. hastily.
sAu know
She was about to make some eager
statement but pulled herself up sud-
enly and tripped along the deck with
cut another word.
switched or the electric light,
booked the door and hurried away
after her. When I got TO Mrs. Mel
bursts staterooms saw at once that
something had occurred to cause her
serious anxiety. The berths, the couch,
and even the floor were Uttered with
che contents OF cabin trunks and hand
bags. In the midst OF the confusion
stood the Indy herself, looking decided
b perpiexed 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 soT' 1 exclaimed In
sheer amazement.
Il do say So" she replied sharply.
~Hoa can see for yoarself that they
are gone"
How did IT happenT
II cannot possibly tell you. At din
ner this evening 1 happened to men,
don to Mrs. Latimer that I had picked
up q curious crescent shaped brooch
on the continent. She expressed q
wish to see It When the tables were
cleared, came In here, took out the
brooch and left the jewel case lying
on the berth. was careful 70 lock tn
cabin door, but when got back the
case was empty"
Show long were you absentT
mot more than half an hour"
Not more than half an hour?"
: You are sure you had the key In
your possession all the timer
Positive. never let it out Of my
hand while l was in the saloon"
was fairly staggered / examined
the lock carefully, but there was alb
lsolutely nothing to show that II had
been tempered 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 q degree-for II seems that she
had already searched every hole and
corner In the cabin-that / was glad
20 beat retreat In order to lay the
matter before the captain.
/ had just got to the head OF the
saloon stairs when / heard some one
bounding up after me, three or four
steps at a time. I turned and saw a
Mr.. Carter-who, by the way, had
made several voyages with MS on pre-
vioUs occasions.
Il say, Morse" he said, taking me
confidently by the am, you've got
some queer customers on board this
chin"
How so?o
why, some ones gone and walked
o9 with my silver cigarette case, q
couple Of rings and pair Of gold"-
The deuce"
well, 1t looks uncommoniy ike as
the individual you refer to had a
hand In the business. for 1 don't see
row any ordinary mortal could get
into ones cabin, with the door boiled
On the inside, unless be managed to
leAAOuE1 TIC wi NAAOAc-
Tel me exactly what has hap
penedY'
Ny dear fellow, how can /? It's
enough to puzzle q Philadelphia law
ger! You see, went to my statereom
aiter dinner, feeling a bit drowsy.
oolted the door, can swear to that
ana l remember ftinging the cigarette
case. rings and pair Of gold sleeve
INKS on the upper berth. When put
on my dressing gown, stretched myself
upon the couch. and had downright
socd snooze. When got up. about
nEe minutes ago, / found my trinkets
had vanished"
ron my word, things were begin
1ing to look serious, and no mistakel
I lost no time In hunting up the cap
.ato and made him acquainted with
me state Of affairs. He was lust as
much puzzled as I was myself. The
mt thing next morning be sent a mes
ere to Mrs. Melhursf, requesting a
RnSate Interview In his cabin ON deck.
ne 9iSO Signif1ed hfn rr-foh that I nh01lid