The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-01-28
WHO WAS THE THIEF


had just shut myself into my little
office on deck, having run through the
ships accounts before turning in that
night. 1t is quito mistake, by, tho way,
to think TINT we pursors have no more
oncrous duties to perform when at sea
than to watch over tho passengers com
fort, read prayers on Sunday, and keep q
store of nautical information ut our finger
ends for tho benefit of every curious voy.
ager. Nowadays tho purser of crack
American lincr-making perhaps ~ record
passage of six days or so-has his work
pretty vol cut out for him during tho en-
trio voyage.
On tho present occasion 1 had scarcely
got my accounts fairly in hand when was
interrupted by % slight tap ut tho door. j
roso at once and opened it, and thcrc stood
Mrs Mclhursts Canadian maid, with
flushed face ana nervous, agitatcd man
her.
Is there anything wrong?" 1 asked,
with some surprise, when sho had dolly.
cred her message
There is, sir, sho replied hastily. Gan
l know
Sho was about to make some eager
statement, but pulled herself up suddenly
and trippcd along tho deck without an.
other word.
switched off tho electric light, locked
tho door and hurried away after her.
When got to Mrs. Melhurst's statoroom,
L saw ut once that something had oc.
CURED to cause her serious anxiety. The
bcrths, tho couch, and even the floor were
Uttered with tho contents of cabin trunks
and handbags. In tho midst of tho confu.
sion stood tho lady herself, looking decid-
eddy perplcxc,l and annoyed
This is very singular, Mr.. Morse" she
said, pointing to an empty jewel case which
lay opon OH tho upper berth. "Niy diamond
ornaments are missing"
You don't say sol" exclaimed in sheer
amazcment.
81 do say So" she replied sharply.
You can SEQ for yourself that they are
gone"
"How did it happcn?"
L cannot possibly tell you. At dinner
this evening l happened to mention tc
Mrs. Latimer that had picked up n curl.
Gus crescent shaped brooch ON tho cont.
nent. She expressed q wish to SEQ it. Whom
tho tables wcro cleared 1 cnmo in hero,
took out tho brooch and left tho jewel case
lying on the berth. l was careful to lock
tho cabin door, but when got back, tho
case was empty"
'How long were you abscnt?"
Not moro than half an hour"
You arc sure you had tho key in you1
possession ali tho timer"
Positive. never let it out of my hand
while was in the saloon.'
was fairly staggered. 1 examined the
lock carefully, but there was absolutely
nothing to show that it had been tanipcrct
with. could hit upon no better suggcs
ton than that Mrs Melhurst might pos
h..N lni,1
This had the solo effect of cxasperatina
tho lady to such degrcc-for it seems
that she had already searched every hole
and corner in tho cabin-that l was glad
to beat IL retreat in order to lay tho matter
before tho captain.
had just got to tho head of tho saloon
stairs when l heard some ono BOUNDING
up after me, three or four stops Mt u time
turned and saw II Mr.. Carter-who, by
tho way, had made several voyages with
us on previous occasions.
say, Morse ho said, taking mo con.
hdently by tho arm, "you'vo got some
queer customers on board this trip
"How SOP
why, somo ones Como and walked of
with my silver cigarette case, couple OF
rings and pair Of gold"-
"Tho dcuco!"
"OiAf ~ iOOj.o llhO Us IL
the individual you refer to had u hand in
tho business, for don't sec low any ord;-
nary mortal could get into ones cabin
with tho door boltcd on the inside, unloss
he managed to squeeze through the port
hole"
Tell mo exactly what has happcncd?'
My dear fellow, how can |? It's enough
to puzzle Philadelphia lawycr You see,
went To my statcroom after dinner, feel
ing bit drowsy. boltcd the door, can
swear to that-and 1 remember finging
tho cigarette case, rings and u pair of gold
sleeve links on tho upper berth Thon 1
put on my dressing gown, stretched my
SELF upon tho couch, ana had Il downright
good snooZc. When got up, about five
minutcs;3o, l found my trinkcts had van
ishcd."
Pom my word, things wcro beginning
TO LOOK serious, and no mistake! l lost no
time In hunting up tho captain and mado
nm acquainted with tho state of affairs
lilo was just AS much puzzled as was my
self Tho first thing next morning he
sent " message TO Mrs. Mclhurst, request
ing private interview in his cabin on
dock. 10 also signiled his wish that l
should 'o present. We both questioned
tho lady closely, but her replies did not
tend 20 throw Any light upon the singular
occurrence
Nevertheless wo determined to keep a
close watch upon the 81 at0rouns in future
1t was pretty evident wo had 1. black
Sheep Oh board-probably IN old hand mt
the business. For tho next few DAYS wo
had no further complaints. The thief was
evidently Lying low waiting until
tranquility was restored before making u
fresh attcnlt. Meanwhile kept my
eyes open. observed the little pcculiari-
ties of the di.Iora,t passengers and took
particular lic,n Of Tho manner in which
they occupied their time
On board ship, when you find n man
who shows ~ marked preference for his