The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-01-28

S&scSSSSC
A detective runs across lot OF
~ queer things in his life, and
Il somehow the Queerest never find
their way into the newspapers. 1t is
difficult to say why; perhaps it is be.
cause they are too queer. For instance
| doubt if you have ever heard of GER
tain strange incident that happened
only season or two ago in that select
section of the fashionable world known
as society"
a leader of fashion, Mrs. Register, re-
quested me TO call on her one morning
when the season was at its height.
Il want your help, Mr.. Love-" she
began, and then stopped awkwardly.
Perhaps you are not aware that at sew
eral balls and dinner parties this season
there have been jewels and ornaments
stolen. 1t has, of course, caused 4 great
deal of unpleasantness. In several cases
trinkets have even been actually taken
from the wearers, without their know
ing how it was done or who did it."
had heard several wild tales of arti-
cles having been missed at fashionable
| gatherings, and there was much Specu-
lation as to who was the culprit. The
articles were not, as a rule, of immense
value. and they always disappeared
singly. consequently no public notice
had been directed to the matter. In one
or two cases the police had been con-
suited, but it was impossible for them
| to help. There could be no doubt that
the thief WAS person who mixed in
society as an equal; probably a woman,
who had allowed her love Of jewelry
to tempt her to dishonesty.
Il presume, then, that the-er-thief
is guest--a person in society?" said,
inquiringly.
Il am afraid SO. Two or three things
were missed at dance which l gave
last week. Now, l am giving another
dance next Thursday, and l am, Of
course, most anxious 1t should not oc-
cur again, at any rate in my house. l
thought l would engage your services
for the evening. to see if you detect any
thing suspicious. OF course, you would
be treated as guest
We made arrangements about terms,
and it was agreed that l should be in
troduced as an Englishman, by name
Captain Burke.
Il suppose, Mrs. Register" l said,
carelessly, you don't suspect anybody
in PARTICULAR"
"Oh. no" she said, but noticed what
thought was look Of anxiety on her
face, and made a mental note of it.
AS was leaving, Mrs. Register said:
'Of course, Mr.. Lowe, you quite under
stand. there must be no expose. If you
make any discoveries, they must be
treated as secrets. l can't have a scene
of any kind. 1t must be hushed up"
returned to the office impressed
with two ideas. First, that my task
was one of those delicate cases that re-
Quire all your tact and yield very little
credit; secondly, that Mrs. Register
knew more, or, at any rate, guessed
more, than she cared to tell
Thursday evening arrived, and l went
10 the Register mansion. Practically,
my duty was to mingle with the guests,
enjoy myself, and keep my eyes wide
open. Nothing seemed TO me more i'm
probable than that there should be
n thief among the brilliant throng
that crowded the rooms. Everything
was conducted in the most luxurious
style, a Hungarian band discoursed
the sweetest of dance music. and the |
guests were among the highest in the |
land.
For while nothing occurred of the |
smallest significance. But at about two |
o'clock in the morning, while l was sit |
ting in snug corner of the conserva-
tory, where cigarette smoking was per-
mitteG, noticed couple take up a po-
sition III the opposite corner. They |
were both young, and evidently very
much in love with one another. The |
girl was handsomely dressed, and wore |
some valuable jewels. In particular |
noticed a pair of diamond ear-drops,
which had just come into fashion again.
Without being a connoisseur of pre-
cious stones understand them we'll
enough to know that these were very
valuable indeed, and likely to be worth
several hundred dollars.
These two young people were sitting
out during dance. and they fiirted all
through a set Of lancers, without any
at their length.
At last they got up and went into the
ballroom again. On the chair, where
the girl had been sitting. lay something
Strolled across and examined
it. 1t was her vinaigrette, which she
had probably left there by accident. l
replaced it, thinking it might serve as
q trap for our fashionable thief. if he
were in the neighbDrhOod, and with
drew to my corner, where I was almost
invisible.
Presently an old gentleman strolled
out to smoke a cigarette. He was a tall,
handsome. intellectual-looking man,
with the air of the true aristocrat. His
name | didn't know, but had noticed
him chatting with the guests. He was
evidently known to everyone, and was
a man of social Importance.
Presently his eye caught the little
ieweled vinaigrette. He looked care
essly round the conservatory, to see If
he was observed, and picked it up. He
now had his back to me. l was on the
point of stepping up to him, when he
turned round. and replaced the vinai-
grette and walked quietly away.
1t was lucky l had not moved. I
should have looked rather foolish. Some
curious instinct bade me cross the con-
servatory. and look ut the vinaigrette
igain. Without thinking about it, put
t to my nose.
The next thing l remember is, that
found myself sitting in chair Grad
Ially, things became clearer. The
lay by my side. 1t was
rugged. For few minutes had lost
l still felt dizzy and
sick, but knowing that everything de-
L