Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-09-28

to be standing In my deck office. had in
nay hand 30 sovereigns, WHICH had just
taken in exchange for American money to
accommodate one Of our passengers. |
didn't wait to look up the gold. | simply
placed it on my desk, switched off the light
and hurried away. had no fear for the
safety of the sovereigns, my door having
particularly intricate lock, in which took
care to turn the key before leaving,
remained below for an hour or so in
vestigating these fresh complaints, but, as
in the other cases, was utterly unable to
make head or tail of them. Vexed and be-
wildered went back to my office, un
locked the door, turned on the light and
mechanically stretched out my hand to
take the soyereigns from my desk. My
hand closed upon nothing more solid than
thin air. My little pile of gold had van
ished.
For minute or two stood there gaz
ing blankly before me, so utterly confused
and dismayed that could scarcely bring
my wits to bear upon the mysterious af-
fair. Then managed to pull myself TO-
gether and took a look around my little
cabin. In the course of my observations
my eye happened to rest upon the portfolio,
which stood wide open, the weather being
oppressively hot.
regarded the innocent looking portfolio
with the air of veritable Sherlock
Holmes. I went outside and thrust my
arm in through the opening, but my hand
did not reach within fully two yards of
the desk. Still, it struck me as being the
only way by which the thief could have
got at the money, and determined to put
my theory to practical test.
l hurried down into the saloon, where
most Of the passengers were congregated.
As yet few of them were aware of the rob-
berries, for we had kept the matter as secret
as possible l went straight up to a young
American 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" l whis-
pered, glancing around at the other oocu-
pants of the saloon, "but might I ask
whether your stateroom is lookeds"
at is."
"And the portfolio openp"
~ should say sol don't want to find
the place as stuffy as the engine room
when 60 to turn in"
"Well, just pass me your key. I want
to try little experiment.. Wait till I'm
gone and then stroll up on deck. Let
yourself be seen on the lower deck particu-
larly, but don't pay too close attention to
any one you may notice lettering there. "
He fell in readily with my scheme.
went and shut myself in his stateroom,
crouching down so that I could just keep
an eye on the portfolio over the top Of the
lower BERTH l remained In that cramped
position until my limbs fairly ached, and
was half inclined to give it up AS bad
job.
But suddenly as l glanced up at the
portfolio my blood ran cold, and in all my
life I never had such difficulty to keep
down yell. In the dim light I saw a
long, thin, hairy arm thrust in through
the opening. The next moment small
black hand had fastened upon leather
case lying close to the window and with
| drew it as quick as thought almost.
Isprang to my feet and bolted outside
into the passage I dashed up the saloon
| stairs and made for the lower deck. There,
| Just about the spot where I judged the
| stateroom to be situated, came face to
| face with the Brazilian, De Castro. In
| spite of the heat he was wearing his long
cloak with the deep cape and had his
eternal cigarette between his teeth. He
looked at me with an air Of frank sur.
prise, and l looked at him with an air OF
profound suspicion.
Suddenly a happy thought flashed
through my mind. 1 turned round and
sprang down the saloon stairs, running
full tilt against the chief steward, who
was standing at the bottom.
sect me handful of nuts quickp'
cried.
| When he brought them, hurried back
on deck. The Brazilian had moved away
a little toward the stern. went uiose up
stood right in front of him and then begar
deliberately to crack the nuts.
He regarded me with plying sort Of
look, but paid little attention to him
Presently saw a corner Of the cape drawr
aside, and behind pair of small, gleam
ing eyes fixed greedily on me.
1t was enough. My suspicious were
confirmed. / flung the rest of the nuts II
the sea, and walking straight up to D'
Castro said:
II must ask you to accompany ,no tt
| uHo ChpudAb oaDih'
"Vot you mean?" he asked, drawing
back.
I was determined to stand no nonsense
and straightway took him by the shoul
ders The moment laid my hands upor
him heard vicious snarl under his cape
It was pulled suddenly aside and out flew
a monkey.
The little brute went at me tooth ant
nail. saw the gleam of a knife, too, IL
the Brazilian's hand, but let him have
my fist straight between the eyes before
he could use it, and he measured his length
upon the deck.
| The quartermaster came running up
and the rascal was dragged off to the cap
tain's cabin. When searched there, Mrs
Melhurst's diamonds, Mr.. Carter's ciga
rette case and rings and miscellaneou
collection of other valuables were found OF
him. In his stateroom we discovered per
forated box, apparently intended for tn
use Of the monkey, who was evidentl.
quite as accomplished as his master. lit
Bits.