Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-03-19

to discover that Where else could he
have hidden them, since the train itself
and everybody ON it was searched?"
It irritated Mr.. Barnes the way in
which Mr.. Mitchell always seemed to be-
little his skill He was a trifie angry
therefore as he made his next bold
stroke.
81 will tell you, ladies and gentle
men, where the thief might have hidden
the jewels, on the train-a place which
no one thought Of searching, not even
myself"
"Oh, tell us p exclaimed Dora. The
two men looked interested, nothing
more. Emily had come behind Mr..
Mitchell and slyly slipped her hand with
in his.
"The woman carried the jewels in a
satchel. Suppose the thief had stolen the
satchel and thrown it from the window.
Missing that, the woman would have
naturally concluded that the jewels were
gone, would she not? Very we'll The
thief might have hidden the jewels in
her own pocket while she slept" Mr..
Barnes had hoped much from this prop
osition, but it was a distinct failure.
Either that was not the thief's method
or else Mr.. Mitchell and Mr.. Thauret
were both innocent. Both smiled incred-
ulously. The former spoke:
"That is too farfetched, Mr.. Barnes.
How do you suppose that he would re-
gain possession of the gems?"
"By numbering the woman" answer
cd the detective. Again he failed, for
neither of the men WINGED. Mr.. Barnes
was foiled for the moment, but not en-
tirely discouraged. The start which both
men had made when he suggested that
the stolen property had been hidden off
the train still remained to be explained.
"Come, come, Mr.. Barnes" said Mr..
Mitchell, patting his shoulder familiar
ly. Don't let this case upset you so.
When you 60 so far for a theory, you do
not show the skill which you displayed
in tracking Pettingill. Why, even I can
get you better one than that"
"You must not think me quite fool,
Mr.. Mitchell. If my theory seems pre-
posterous, it does not follow that it is
the only one at my command. We de-
tectives must look at these cases from
all lights. Twill wager that I can tell
you what your theory is!"
"Good! I am glad New York has
such clever man to defend her. I ac-
cept your wager Here, I will write my
idea on bit Of paper. If you guess it,
l owe you an invitation to good din
ner. !" Mr.. Mitchell wrote few lines on
the back Of an envelope and handed it
to Dora.
"You think" said Mr. Barnes, "that
the thief might have simply handed the
satchel and jewelry to a confederate at
station decided upon in advance.
"Bravo, Mr. Barnes" said Dora.
"You are great detective. You have
won your wager. That is what is writ
ten here.
81 owe you dinner, Mr.. Barnes, and
it shall be good one," remarked Mr..
Mitchell.
"Would Mr. Barnes like to win an
other?" asked the Frenchman, with
slow distinctness.
would" "said the detective sharply.
"Then will wager with you that if
you ever clear up the mystery you will
be obliged to admit that none of the
theories advanced is the correct one"
II cannot accept that bet" said Mr..
Barnes slowly, "because am sure that
we have not mentioned the true method
adopted"
"Ah, you have another theory" Mr..
Thauret almost sneered.
II have, and it is the correct one,"
retorted Mr.. Barnes, "but I prefer not
to disclose it.
II think you are quite right, Mr..
Barnes" said Emily. SIN fact, know
ing you by reputation as man Of great
shrewdness, I have not thought that you
were telling us your true ideas. Itwould
have been foolish to do SO" F"
perhaps, though sometimes what
seems foolish may be WISE.
"Quite true And now, gentlemen, I
regret the necessity of dismissing you,
but I have a ball on hand for tonight
and must beg you to excuse us that we
may prepare for it. You know in the
fashionable world we train for ball as
athletes do for their sports. You will
forgive my sending you away. "
This was her way, and men never re-
sented it. They simply obeyed Mr..
Barnes was delighted that both the 9TH
er men would leave with him. He had
prepared a trap for Mr.. Mitchell, but
now he would entice two birds into it.