Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-03-12
CHAPTER XII.
rnr. rlIsTunY OF THE RUBY.

Of Iifs
During the next two weeks there were
numerous references to the ruby robbery
IN the daily papers. Interviews were
published purporting to have been held
with every one Of note who had been
present The police We're twitted with
their inability to discover the thief. The
detectives from the central Office came
and went mysteriously, and were silent
to all questioners, the while maintain
ing an expression which plainly said,
"We could and we would. One or
two persons were even arrested, only to
be promptly discharged when brought
before the committing magistrates. So
that interest in the affair soon died out.
Another crime occurred, and all New
York had something else to talk Of. The
Remsen ruby was forgotten by the
masses.
Mr.. Barnes, however, thought Of little
else. He racked his brain for promis-
ing starting point, and the more he
thought the more he was tempted to
made trip to New Orleans to unravel
this, as he had many other mysteries,
"from the other end. Yet he hated TO
leave the scene where were the chief ac-
tors in the drama, and as he felt certain
the principal in one or all Of the crimes.
At last he resolved TO make move,
hoping little from it, yet unwilling
longer TO rest actually idle in this case.
He wrote the following letter:
Mr. Arthur Randolph:
DEAR S1R-Since you have engaged mo to
/ undertake TO prove that Mr.. Mitchell himself
stole the ruby on the night of the festival,
presume that you will consent 10 give me
/ some assistance In the matter. In the first
! Interview that had with you you may recall
/ that you stated that your friend, in your opin-
I ion, II somewhat insane on the subject Of eel
| ebrated jewels You said, in effect, that II he
were pressed II little on this line he would
/ drift off into the narration OF tales of gems
/ and crimes committed 20 obtain them.
/ would much like 10 hear Mr.. Mitchell talk up
| ON his hobby, but, as you know, he Is on the
! defensive with me. Can you in some way
range 10 have II talk with him yourself and
draw him out, while j should be sccreted
! where / could ovcrhear the conversationi |
/ should wish you 10 mention the loss Of the
! ruby-to suggest, IL not charge outright that
/ he himself has taken the gem, and when he
! denies it, as he surely Will, ask him whether
there Is any peculiar story connected with II
| that H. whether IL has ever bocn stolen be-
/ fore From such IA conversation might get
/ hint which, seeming as nothing to you, might
/ DO valuable 20 me. VIII you do thisf Remem-
I bcr you yourself said that call IL fair, etc.
| Yours truly, j. BAltNis.
In reply to this he received note
asking him to meet Mr.. Randolph at his
club on the following evening.
The next afternoon Mr.. Mitchell call
cd at the Hoffman House and went up 10
the room occupied by Mr.. Thauret, find
ing that gentleman at home. Mr.. Thau
ret advanced TO meet him, and the two
shook hands cordially.
"Thauret," " began Mr.. Mitchell II
want to talk to you seriously about that
jewel robbery"
Il am all attention, " said Mr.. Than
ret, lighting a cigarette and dropping in
to a comfortable rocking chair.
"To begin with, let me recapitulate.
/ will 20 back to our partnership ar
raupement You and became in way
secret partners, or perhaps gambling
pals would 10 more accurate. At that
time agreed 10 furnish the capital for
our operations up 10 certain point. l
believe / have done 50, IN spite Of the
fact that our losses have been rather
heavy and the further fact that you con
fidcntially told mo that you had n meth
cd or IA system by which losses could be
avoided, or at least controlled. Am
accurate;"
Quite 80, my friend. You have
proved yourself an admirable silent part
ner, since you have allowed me to have
my own way, paying the bills and ask
ing no questions till now Am | to un-
derstand that the losses annoy you, and
that you wish au explanationY'
"You may give me one in moment.
There II another point. You promised
70 drop Adrian Fisher, -
"Welli"
"YQu have not done so rennasted