Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-05-07


GREETED having done SO and came to
notify me, as he expressed it, so that
might not get into any trouble. l saw
|, at once that this meant that Barnes
would be at the festival, or at any rate
one of his men,"
"You were right in that He was
there"
eyes, but I was not sure of it till
afrei the robbery, when all unmasked.
He wore one of the Forty Thieves DOM
inos, and failed to see through the dis
guise. With the knowledge thus obtain
ed determined to have some amuse.
ment at the expense Of the great detect.
i've, and decided to wear one Of the
dominos instead of your dress. 1t was
essential, however, that some one should
impersonate Ali Baba in order that the
tableaus might not be interrupted.
Fisher was the only man I could ask to
assume the role. He acquiesced, and
that is all there was to that. have not
taken him up again, assure you"
Every good. That is satisfactory. You
must pardon my questioning; but, after
all, l did not understand and had a
right to do SO. Tell me, were you near
when the robbery occurred? Did you see
it done?"
" must have been near, but did not
see it. / was awaiting to kiss the hand
of the Scheherezade when Mr.. Barnes sud-
denly cried out that robbery had been
committed and ordered masks off.
slipped out of my domino and went to
him as soon as the lights were on,
"You might have suggested to him to
search everybody, as he did on the
train"
"By George, that is just what did,
but he declined, Iguess that train ex-
perience made him dubious as to the
value of that sort of thing"
At this both men laughed heartily, as
though enjoying the discontinue of the
detective.
sit SEEMS" said Mr.. Mitchell, "that
Barnes suspected that the ruby was to
be stolen and Informed Mr.. Rawlston
early in the evening that there would
be thieves in the audience
"Did he indeed? Too bad that, with
all his shrewdness, he was not able to
catch the thief Or thieves rather, eh?"
Once more they both laughed. Then
Mr. Mitchell suggested that they should
go to the club, and thither they went.
Upon entering the doorkepeer informed
Mr.. Mitchell that Mr.. Randolph was in
the parlor and desired to see him. He
and Mr.. Thauret therefore went into the
great reception room. Mr.. Randolph
arose as they appeared.
Good evening, Randolph" said Mr..
Mitchell. "You wish to see me?"
"Oh, nothing special. I came in to
dine here and told the doorman to send
you to me in case you should turn up. I |
wanted company, that is all. ="
Don't like to eat alone, eh?'
"That is it. Eating is nuisance,
made tolerable only by good companion
ship. Mr.. Thauret, shall have a place |
set for you also?'
eff you desire, I shall be most happy"
said Mr.. Thauret.
Every WE'LL" said Mr.. Randolph. II
will attend to it. I have some letters to
write now, if you will excuse me. Meet
me promptly at in the private dining
ROOM.
Mr.. Randolph left the apartment and
went to the floor above. Here he Joined
Mr.. Barnes, who was awaiting him.
"Well," said the detective, "can you
it?"
Everything Is arranged. Mitchell is
here, and he has brought Thauret with
him. I don't understand the intimacy
that has sprung up between those two,
but that is not to the point They will
dine with me in our private dining
room. I shall arrange that our meal
shall be served at table Immediately
next to the large portiere that separates
the private dining room from the main
saloon. ] shall also order a dinner for
you at table just on the other side of
the curtain. If you have good ears. you
should hear all that passes with little
II am satisfied with your arrange
ment and shall undoubtedly be able to
hear at least the greater part Of what
occurs. s."
Every we'll Now go to the library,
and at the farther end, hidden behind
newspaper file, you will be safe from
the observation of prying eyes Prompt
ly at I and my guests will take our
seats. Five minutes later your own
place will be in readiness, and you can
take it in safety"
Mr.. Barnes followed these instruc-
tons, and Mr.. Randolph went to the
dining room to perfect his arrangements.
At Z, on the minute, he was joined by
his invited guests, and the three sat at
table, Shortly after the noise of dishes
on the other side Of the portiere indi-
Gated that Mr.. Barnes was being served.
About the third course Mr.. Randolph
endeavored to lead the conversation in
5he desired direction.
Thrust, said he, addressing Mitchell,
that you have entirely recovered from
hat unfortunate illness that prevented
you from attending the affair at Rawls-
;on 81"
"Oh, yesr' said Mitchell. "It was
but a temporary matter. The only seri-
ous result was that was kept from the
festival. I think might have saved
Miss Remsen from the annoyance of los
ing her ruby"
"But, Mitchell" said Mr.. Randolph,
while of course one does not like to
lose so valuable gem, at the same time
you can safely replace it"
"What makes you think SOP"
"Why, you have so many jewels. Do
you know I was saying only recently that
any one who, like you, would hoard
up rare gems, keeping them locked in
vault where no one can see them, is in
, way insane, I was glad when you
AYE that rnhv TO Mica Rn-nsan and