Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-04-30


contained several letters Of interest to
those who follow this history. The first
which he opened was very brief. 1t
read:
If Mr.. Barnes will call at his earliest con-
venience he will greatly oblige
EMILY RENsEN.
He read this twice, and then took up
another, which was as follows:
J. Barnes, ESD:
DEAR SIR-I take the liberty Of recalling to
your mind the conversation which had with
you last month. regret very much that
should have limited that there was any posi-
bility that my friend Mr.. Mitchell might be
implicated in the Pullman car robbery. As
you know, Miss Emily Remson was robbed at
the festival, night before last, Of ruby pin
worth $40, ,0OO 1t Is very evident to my mind
that Mr.. Mitchel's hand is in this. know
that he pretends to be sick ut a hotel in Phila-
delphia, but may not that be humbugF IT
would have been easy enough for him to slip
over, don one Of the Forty Thieves dominos
take the gem and get back to Philadelphia the
same night. This would be q safe theft for
him to commit, especially as he may have tho
assistance Of Miss Relnsen. Now, as oil Is fair
In bet / want you to undertake TO prove for
me that MIR. Mitchell committed this theft. /
want to win that wager from him and don't
mind spending money. Even If should I'D
vance you tho whole $1,000 should save my
own, provided you convict him within year.
Besides, the satisfaction to me ewould be worth
tho money. 1t takes sharp man to get ahead
Of Mr.. Mitchell. I inclose check for $500 us n
sort Of retainer, and you may draw on me for
more, up to 81. 900, II you should need 1t. By
the way, while writing to you ! may as well
confess that l was wrong in my suspicion of
Mr.. Thauret. / am sure that he does not
cheat at cards. have watched him frequent
ly since then and he certainly plays square
game. have no reason for liking the man,
md, as a fuct, dislike him most heartily.
Nevertheless justice compels me to retract the
imputation which I put upon him. Another
thing-the partner with whom he played that
night told you was unknown to me. have
since made his acquaintance, and, though he
is poor, he is q gentleman and above suspicion.
His name is Adrian Fisher Hoping you will
help me to win my wager, yours truly,
ARfnUR RANDOLPH.
"So," thought Mr.. Barnes, "even
Mr.. Randolph sees through the trans
parent scheme of being sick in Philadel-
phia and stealing his sweetheart's jew
elry in New York. It is one thing to
see the trick, however, and quite an
other to prove 1t. He thinks that
Thauret and Fisher are both virtuous.
Well, am afraid he is mistaken there. "
He took up another letter. 1t read;
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 2.
DEAR Mr.. DEMONSTRATION my familiarity,
but think We arc getting pretty well ac.
quainted with one another. have Just read
the New York newspapers and am startled to
SEQ that Miss Remsen was deliberately robbed
Of that valuable ruby pin which l recently
gave her. You will remember that showed
you the gem the very day that took it to be
set. ! am very much disturbed about this Of
fair, especially as ON unable, through sick.
ness, to feturn to New York, and my physi-
clan warns me that it will be several days be-
fore can leave my room. Will you do me O
great favor2 Forget that I ever disparaged
the detective force Of which you are undoubt-
edly brilliant member and take this case in
hand. will give you 81. 600 you will recover
TIE Jewel, which is only small reward, con
sidering its value. send you check for $500
which you may use for expenses, and, il more
be needed, let me know. / wish you could
run over to Philadelphia to see me. A con
Versation with you would be great satisfac
lion to me- Will you oblige, yours very truly,
ROBERT LEROY mitchell?
Mr.. Barnes read this no less than
shree times, and then said aloud, though
there was no one to hear him, well p
That was all, but the tone was rich in
suggestiveness. What he thought, but
did not put into words, was: "That
man has the coolest audacity I ever met.
Here he actually offers me 81, 900 to re-
cover that ruby, when he knows that
was right by his side at the time Of the
theft. Is he SO egotistic that be dares to
guy me? Is he so sure that he cannot be
convicted? I know that he was not in
Philadelphia anyway, as my man found
his room empty. His alibi is broken,
at all events, clever as he thinks him
self. Will 1 go to Philadelphia to see
him9 Well, should think sol A con.
versation with him will be as satisfac.
tory to me as it possibly can be to him.
But first must obey the call from Miss
Remsen. There may be much to learn
there.
1t was nearly an hour before Mr..
Barnes duties in connection with other
cases made him at liberty. He went
straight to Miss Remsens and was
shown into her presence.
lyon sent for me, Miss Remsen," be
began.
eyes, Mr.. Barnes" she replied
"Will you be seatedf" The detective &C
cepted her invitation, and she contin
ued: "To come to the point at once,
wish to see you about my lost ruby. Il
was present from Mr.. Mitchell to me
and besides being very costly attach {
sentimental value to it. want you tt
undertake to recover it, and I will giv'
you 81 900 if you succeed. "
Mr.. Barnes had never had so man,
thousand dollar offers made to him in 81
short time before. He smiled slight.
and said:
"Your offer comes too late, Miss Rem
sen. I have letter from Mr.. Mitche
himself, making similar offer. !
would scarcely be proper for me to &C
cept two rewards for one service. "
"Then you refuse to help me?"
"On the contrary, I will use my ut
most endeavors to detect the thief an,
recover your property for you. But
need no money from you.
"You are very conscientious, MI
Barnes, and / admire it. honor
man who places his duty above money.
81 thank you for your courteous re
mark. Now, if am to help you, 20
must begin by assisting me-"
Iwill do whatever can, certainly.
"Then, tell me, have you no suspicio
as to who might have taken your jew
el?" The girl hesitated, and the detect
i've watched her face keenly. AS sh
did not reply at once he asked anotht
question:
"Did you feel the person take the pi
from your hair?"
eyes, I did; but I did not realii
what was occurring till he had it."
"Why did you not make any resistant
or cry out?''