The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1897-12-31
THIEVES ON BOARD.

Mrs. Melhurst's compliments, sir
and would you please come down to
her stateroom Immediately"
had just shut myself into my little
office on deck. having run through the
ships accounts before turning In that
night.
had scarcely got my accounts fairly
In hand when | was interrupted by a
slight tap at the door. arose at once
aud opened II, and there stood Mrs.
Melhurst's Canadian maid, with flush
ed face and nervous, agitated manner
! switched off the electric light, lock.
ed the door, and hurried away after
her. When | got to Mrs. Melhursts
stateroom saw at once that something
had occurred to cause her serious anx-
Lefty. The berth, the couch, and even
the floors, were Uttered with the con
tents of cabin trunks and hand bags.
In the midst OF the confusion stood the
lady herself. looking decidedly perplex.
ed and annoyed.
This Is very singular. Mr.. Morse"
she said. pointing to an empty Jewel
case which lay open upon the upper
berth. "My diamond ornaments are
missing"
How did II happen?"
Il cannot possibly tell you. At din
ner this evening | happened to men
tion to Mrs. Latlmer that had picked
up certain crescent-shaped brooch on
the continent. She expressed wish to
see II. When the tables were cleared I
came in here, took out the brooch, and
left the jewel case lying on the berth,
but when ! got back the case was
empty"
How long were you absent?"
mot more than half an hour"
You are sure you had the key OF
your cabin In your possession all the
timeT
Positively. never let It out OF my
hand while was in the saloon"
examined the lock carefully, bui
there was absolutely nothing to show
that It had been tempered with.
| had just got to the head OF the sa.
loon stair when heard some one
bounding up after me. three or four
steps AT n time. | 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 conhdentially by the arm, you've
got some queer customers on board this
trip"
How SOP
"Why, someone's gone and walked of
with my silver cigarette case. a couple
OF rings, and a pair OF gold"
Tell me exactly what has hap
pened."
my dear fellow. how can II Ii is
enough to puzzle a Philadelphia law
yer. You see. went to my stateroom
after dinner-I can swear to that-and
] remember singing my cigarette case
rings. and a pair OF gold sleeve links
on the upper berth. Then put on my
dressing gown. stretched myself upon
the couch. and had a downright good
snooze. When got up about five min
utes ago. found my trinkets had van
ished."
lost no time In hunting up the cap
tain. and made him acquainted with
the state of affairs. He was just as
much puzzled ms was myself We
both questioned the lady closely. but
her replies did not tend to throw any
light on the singular occurrence.
For the next few days we had no
further complaints. The thief was evil
IDENTIFY lying low" waiting until tran
quillity was restored before making a
fresh attempt. Meanwhile | kept my
eyes open.
We happened TO have passenger on
board-a Brazilian, named de Castro
who was bit of mystery to me all
through the voyage. But for the fact
that l had conclusive evidence to show