The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1897-12-11

ply placed 1t on my desk. switched of
the light, and hurried away. | had no
fear for the safety of the sovereigns,
my door having a particularly intricate
lock, In which l took care to turn the
key before leaving.
l remained below for an hour OF so
but, as in the other cases, l was utterly
unable to make head or tail of them.
yexed and b~ewildered. l went back to
my office, unlocked the door, turned on
the light, and-my little pile of gold
had vanished.
Then l managed to pull myself to-
gether, and took a look around my lit
tie cabin. In the curse of my observa-
lions my eye happened to rest upon the
portfolio, which stood wide open. the
weather being oppressively hot.
l went outside and thrust my arm In
through the opening, but my hand did
not reach within fully two yards of the
desk. Still, 1t struck me as being the
only way by which a thief could get
the money, and l determined to put
my theory to a practical test.
l went straight up to Il young Ameri-
can gentleman, who l knew had a great
many trinkets In his %stateroom, and
was rather careless, too, in the way he
left them lying about.
Don't show any SURPRISE" | whls-
pered, CHANGING around at the other &C.
cupants of the saloon, but might l ask
whether your stateroom is locked?'
ut Is"
And the portfolio open?"
II should say so! l don't want to
find the place as stuffy as the engine
room when l go to tur In"
We'll, just pass me your key. l
want to try "a little experiment. Wait
till I'm gone and then stroll up on
er deck partlcularly-but don't pay too
close attention to anyone you may no.
tlce lettering there"
l went and shut myself in his state
room, crouching down so that | could
just keep an eye on thu portfolio over
the top of the lower berth.
Suddenly, as | glanced up at the port.
hole, my blood ran cold. and in all my
life | never had such difficulty to keep
down n yell. In the dim light | saw n
long, thin, hairy arm thrust in through
the opening. The next moment n
small black hand had fastened upon a
leather case lying close to the window,
and withdrew 1t as quick rs thought al
most.
| dashed up the saloon stairs and
made for the lower deck. There, just
about the spot where | judged the
stateroom to be situated. | came face
TO face with the Brazilian De Castro.
Suddenly, a happy thought flashed
through my mind. | turned round and
sprang down the saloon stairs, run
ming full tilt against the chief steward,
who was standing at the bottom.
Get me a handful of nuts-quick."
cried.
The Brazilian had moved away a lit
tie toward the stern. | went close up,
stood right in front OF him. and then
began deliberately to crack the nuts.
Presently | saw II corner of the cape
drawn aside, and behind II pair of
small, cleaning eyes fixed greedily on
me.
1t was enough. My suspicious were
confirmed. The moment l laid my
hands upon him | heard a vicious snarl
under his cape: 1t was pulled suddenly
aside, and out flew a monkey.
When searched, Mrs. Melhurst's dia-
monds, Mr.. Carriers cigarette case and
rings, and n miscellaneous collection OF
other yaluablcs were found on him. In
his stateroom we discovered a perfor-
ated box. apparently intended for the
use of the monkey. who was evident
ly quite as accomplished rs his master.
-Elmira Telegram.