Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-09-28
THE SHIPS THIEF.

l had JUST SnuG mysel[ lnto my lltbie
office on deck, having run through the
ships accounts before turning in that
night 1t is quite mistake, by the way,
to think that we pursers have no more
onerous duties to perform when at sea
than to watch over the passengers COM
fort, read prayers on Sunday and keep
store Of nautical information at our finger
ends for the benefit Of every curious voy-
ager Nowadays the purser of crack
American liner-making perhaps record
passage of six days or so-has his work
pretty we'll cut out for him during the en-
tire voyage.
On the present occasion had scarcely
got my accounts fairly in hand when
was interrupted by slight tap at the door
/ arose at once and opened it, and there
stood Mrs. Melhurst's Canadian maid,
with flushed face and nervous, agitated
manner.
sis there anything wrongP" l asked,
with some surprise, when she had deliv-
cred her message.
"There is, SIR" she replied hastily.
"All know
She was about to make some other state
ment, but pulled herself up suddenly and
tripped along the deck without another
word.
switched off the electric light, locked
the door and hurried away after her. When
got to Mrs. Melhursts S stateroom, l saw
at once that something had occurred to
cause her serious anxiety. The berth, the
couch, and even the floors were Uttered
with the contents of cabin trunks and
hand bags. In the midst of the confusion
stood the lady herself, looking decidedly
perplexed 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 establishment.
81 do say SO, she replied sharply. "You
can see for yourself that they are gone"
Chow did 1t happen9"
~ cannot possibly tell you. At dinner
this evening I happened to mention to
Mrs Latimer that had picked up GER
tain crescent shaped brooch on the conti-
nent She expressed wish to see it. When
the tables were cleared, came in here,
took out the brooch and left the jewel case
IyluR Uu Ou0 UOTul3 puV WACA 6ou DuOh
the case was empty"
"How long were you absenta"
''Not more than half an hour"
"You are sure you had the key Of your
ca bin in your possession all the timer"
'tPositive. I never let it out Of my
hand while was in the saloon"
was totally staggered. examined the
lock carefully, but there was absolutely
nothing to show that 1t had been tam
pered with. I could hit upon no better
suggestion than that Mrs. Melhurst might
possibly have mislaid the jewels some
where. This had the sole effect Of exas-
perating tho lady to such degree, for 1t
seems that she had already searched every
nook aid corner In the cabin, that I was
glad to beat retreat in order to lay the
matter before the captain.
had just got to the head of the saloon
stairs when heard some one bounding up
after me three or four steps at time.
turned and saw Mr.. Carter, who, by the
way. had made several voyages with us on
previous occasions
II say, Mr.. Morse" he said, taking me
oonfdentially by the arm, "you've got
some queer customers on board this trip. "
''How so9''
"Why, some ones gone and walked of
with my silver cigarette case, couple of
rings and pair of gold'-
Tell me exactly what has happened"
uear le,low' how Gan - ~
enough 70 puzzle rnliaueipnM lawyer
1ou see' wenc 70 NY sea'erooln alIer uIn
ner-1 can swear 10 onao-ahu relhelhpel
singing my olgaregte case rings ana
pair o. goio sleeve InKs On INC upper percn,
Tnen pu5 on my uressihs eown' soreUoneu
myseH upon 1ne couun anu hau uo"h,
rignt gooo snooze. "hen eoo up aDou,
nve minutes ago. Iouno my 'rlnkeCs hao
vanished.
ron my woro tnlngs Were beginning %
looK serious ana no lnlsoake. ,oso ~
time ID hunoihg up 1ne capoain anu .haue
MIN acquain0eo WIN one stace VI analrs'
ne was !usc as much puzzleu as was hy
sell. Ine nrsu Snlng nexo morning he
sent message 70 Mrs' Meinurs0, reques1
ing private interview IN MS oapin or
deck. he also signined MS wish tnat
should be present. we both Questioned
the lady closely, put her replies oio no'
tend to throw any light upon the singular
SSouAAooo'
Nevertheless we determined to Keep
close watch upon the stateroom In future
II was pretty evident we had "blaoh
sheep" on board--probably an old hand al
the business For tho next few days w
had no further complaints. The thief wai
evidently lying low" waiting until tran
quillity was restored before making 2 fresh