Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-02-27
CHAPTER III.

ullllDpSt Wuon no nothu dppIuuChiuB
him the guard who had assisted him to
jump aboard the night before. The man
was making mysterious gestures, from
which Mr. Barnes understood that he
was wanted. He arose and followed the
porter to the smoking room.
81 think you called yourself Barnes, !"
said the man., "as you jumped aboard
last night"
"Yes; what Of it?"
care you Mr.. Barnes, the detective"
"Why do you ask?"
Because, if you are, the conductor
wants to see you. There was a big rob-
berry committed on the train during the
night. "
''The devil"
Exactly, but will you come into the
lext coach?"
"Wait minute" Mr.. Barnes went
back into the main part of the coach
and tiptoed toward No. s. Gently NOV
ing the curtains, he peeped in and
looked long and earnestly. He saw two
men undoubtedly sleeping soundly.
Satisfied, therefore, that he could leave
his watch for brief period, he followed
the porter into the next coach, where
he found the conductor waiting for him
in the smoking room.
"You are Mr. Barnes, the detective?"
asked the conductor. Mr.. Barnes as
sented.
''Then I wish to place in your hands
officially most mysterious case. We
took Oh lady last night at Boston, who
had ticket to South Norwalk, As we
were approaching that point short
time ago she was notified by the porter.
She arose and dressed preparatory to
leaving the train. A few minutes later
/ was hurriedly summoned, when the
woman, between hysterical sobs, in
formed me that she had been robbed. +"
"Of muoh?"
"She claims to miss satchel contain
ing 500, 900 in jewelry."
"You have stated that adroitly. She
claims to miss What evidence have you
that she has met with any loss at all?"
vi SOulSC NO ClulOU tOll uuOllU luO
jewelry, but she did have a satchel,
which is now missing. The porter re-
members it, and we have searched thor
oughly, with no success. p"
"We have stopped at New Haven and
at Bridgeport. How many persons have
left the train?"
"No one has left the sleepers. p"
"When you say that no one has left
the sleepers, l suppose you mean you
saw no one leave?"
mol Imean just what said. Ihave
sent the porters through the coaches,
and they report that all our passengers
are i'll their berths But here we come to
a point. If no one has left the train,
then the thief must be aboard?"
Certainly"
"The woman when she discovered her
loss concluded to remain aboard and go
on to New York. All the other passen-
gers save one are booked for New York.
That one is man, and he is now dress
ing, as his destination is Stamford. If
he leaves, he may take the jewels with
him, yet what am to do?"
Estate the facts Of the case to him. If
lie is innocent, he will willingly submit
to being searched. If, however, he re-
fuses-well, we can be guided by cir
oumstances. Call him in here now"
A few minutes later foreign and dis
tinctly French appearing man entered.
y, cIOnpnh hn licn1Agn1 hic ivi,, L,,+
the accent was slight. He was Of fine
appearance, dignified and gentlemanly.
Mr.. Barnes sat at the window looking
out. The conductor with considerable
hesitancy explained the case, concluding
with:
"You see, my dear sir, this is an awk-
ward business, but we are SO sure that
the thief is still aboard that
"That you hesitate to allow me to
leave the train, eh, monsieur, is it not
SO? Yet why should there be any trou-
BILE? An honest man must never be hurt
in his feelings when he is asked to assist
the law, even though for the moment he
is himself a-what you call it-suspect?
In this case it is so simple if only the
honest men will make no trouble. They
will say to you, Search mep You do
SO, and at last one comes who says,
You insult meP That one is of course
the thief, eh, monsieur? Do you not agree
with me?" He turned toward Mr..
Barnes, addressing this last remark to
him. The detective looked at him mo-
ment steadily, as was his won't when he
meant to remember face. The French
man returned the gaze undisturbed.
81 said almost the same thing to the
conductor before you came in, said Mr.
Barnes.
Exactly so. Now, then, with your
permission will disrobe. Look, if you
please, most carefully. My honor is at
stake. The more carefully you examine
the less suspicion can attach to me here
after"
The conductor made thorough
search, emptying every pocket and TAX
ing every precaution. He did not expect
to find anything, but it was essential
that extreme care should be observed.
Nothing was found, and the man re-
sumed his clothing.
"Now, if you please, I have with me
but two small satchels. II the porter
will bring them, I will unlock them for
you. | have no trunk, as only went to
Boston for days trip"
The satchels were brought, examined
and nothing found.
Now, gentlemen, I suppose I am
free, as we are at my station. ! shall
only remain here few hours and will
then go on to New York. If you should
wish to see me again, I shall stop at the
Hoffman House Here is my card. Au
revoir ~
Mr.. Barnes took the card and scruti-
nized it.
"What do you think?" asked the con-
ductor.