The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1896-01-03
THE THIEF ON THE SHIP.

Mrs. Melhurst's compliments, sir,
and would you please come down to her
stateroom Immediately?
L had just shut myself into my little
office on deck, having run through the
ships accounts before turning in that
night. 1t is quite a mistake, by the
way, to think that we pursers have no
more onerous duties to perform when
at sea than to watch over the passen-
gers comfort, read papers on Sunday
and keep a store of nautical informa-
tion at our finger ends for the benefit of
every curious voyager. Nowadays the
purser of a crack American liner-mak-
ing, perhaps, record passage of six
days or so-has his work pretty well cut
out for him during the entire voyage.
On the present occasion / had scarce
ly got my accounts fairly in hand when
l was interrupted by slight tap at the
door. L arose at once and opened it,
and there stood Mrs. Melhurst's Cana
dian maid, with flushed face and nerv-
Gus, agitated manner.
rs there anything wrong?" l asked,
with some surprise, when she had deliy-
cred her message.
There is, sir" she replied, hastily.
"All | know"
She was about to make some other
statement, but pulled herself up sud-
denly and tripped along the deck with
out another word.
/ switched off the electric light, locked
the door and hurried away after ner.
When | got to Mrs. Melhurst's state
room | saw at once that something had
occurred to cause her serious anxiety.
The berths, the couch and even The
floors were Uttered with the contents
of cabin trunks and handbags. In the
midst of the confusion stood the lady
herself, looking decidedly perplcAed
and annoyed.
This is very singular, Mr.. Morse"
she said, pointing to an empty jewel
case which lay open on the upper berth.
MY diamond ornaments are missing =
You don't say SOL" / exclaimed, in
sheer astonishment.
Il do say so!" she replied. sharply.
"You can see for yourself that they are
gone"
How did it happen?"
Il cannot possibly tell you. AT dim
ner this evening | happened to mention
TO Mrs. Latimer that had picked up a
certain crescent-shaped brooch on the
continent. She expressed a wish to see
it. When the tables were cleared /
came in here, took out the brooch ard
left the jewel case lying on the berth.
but when | got back the case was
empty"
How long were you absent?
"Not more than half an hour"
"You are sure you had the key in your
possession all the time?"
positive. | never let it out of my
hand while l was in the saloon"
/ was totally staggered. | examined
the lock carefully, but there was alb
solutelv nothing to show that it had
been tampered with. | could hit upon
no better suggestion than that Mrs.
Melhurst might possibly have mislaid
the Jewels somewhere. This had the
sole effect of eXasperating the lady to
such degree-for it seems that she had
already searched every nook and corner
in the cabin-that | was glad to beat a
retreat in order to lay the matter be-
fore the captain.
had just got to the head of the Sd
loon stairs when | heard some one
bounding up after me, three or four
steps ut time. l turned and saw Mr..
Carter-who, by the way, had made sew
eral voyages with us on previous occa-
sions.
Il say, Mr.. Morse he said, taking me
confidentially by the arm, you've got
some queer customers on board this
trip"
"How xo?"
why, some ones gone and walked
off with my silver cigarette case, a
couple OF rings and pair of gold"