Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-01-31

the WaSnrOOm. NO one would tnlDk 10
look for them there, and, even if so,
there would be nothing against me.
Afterward l should have gone back,
taken the soap, and the jewels would
have been mine. y
"You are mistaken.
"How so?"
"You were the first person searched,
and l watched you till you left the
train. 1t would have been difficult for
you to come to New York from Stam
ford on another train, and then gain ac-
cess to the coaches on side track and in
the hands Of the scrubwomen. Even
then YOU would have failed, for took
all the soap away and substituted new
cakes before the second man was
searched.
A smile Oh Mr. Mitchel's face proved
that he was listening, and thu, he was
pleased at the detectives cleverness.
The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders
and said, laughing:
There, you see, should never make
q thief. Besides, there was the satchel.
had forgotten about that One could
not hide satchel in "a cake of SOAP"
"But he could throw it out Of the
window to mislead the man who picked
it up" replied the detective.
"You are shrewd, Mr.. Barnes" said
Mr. Thauret, after keen scrutiny,
which Mr. Barnes thought betokened
unelsiness. But" he continued, will
you tell me how you think the thief hid
the treasure on the train?"
"He hid it or the train," said MIR.
Barnes quickly, and to his satisfaction
both his men started slightly. Evident
ly Mr.. Mitchell decided that it was time
for him to enter the game, for he crossed
and joined the group, saying as he did
so:
"Are you all discussing the train rob-
berry,"
"Oh, yesl" said Dora. "And it is
just lovely, the way Mr.. Barnes has
found out all about itl'
Found out all about it3 Has he in
deed?"
"Yesl He knows who the thief is,
and that he hid the jewels off the train. "
"How very clever of you. Mr.. Barnes,
to discover that. Where else could he
have hidden them, since the train itself
and everybody on it was searched?"
1t irritated Mr.. Barnes the way in
which Mr.. Mitchell always seemed to be-
little his skill He was trife angry
therefore as he made his next bold
stroke.
II 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 r' exclaimed Dora. The
two men looked interested, nothing
more. Emily had come behind Mr..
Mitchell and slyly slipped her hand with
in his.
1.-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 distinct failure.
Either that was not the thicf'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
ed the detective. Again he failed, for
neither of the men WINGED. Mr.. Barnes
was foiled for the moment, but not ell
lirely 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, MI. Barnes, " said Mr..
Mitchell. patting his shoulder familiar.
ly. Don't let this case upset you SO.
When you go so far for 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. I will wager that I can tell
you what your theory is!'
"Good! 1 am glad New York has
such O clever man to defend her. l ac-
cept your wager. Here, 1 will write my
idea on a bit of paper. If you guess it,
I 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 confederate at
a station decided upon in advance.
bravo, Mr. Barnes!" said Dora.
"You are a 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.