The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-04-27
THE. TEST CASE.

THE. TEST CASE.
It was Morton-I mean Montagu
Morton, the we'll known dealer in
precious stones-who told me this
story. was talking to him in his
dingy Office and was struck by the
almost incredibly careless way in
which he dealt with some valuable
diamonds.
Yes, he owned that he was care
less He assured me that he never
registered any letter OF parcel. how
ever valuable, and yet had never
lost anything in the post. He did
not keep light burning all'night,
or use an electric alarm of any kind,
or give any special orders to the po-
lice. vet he had never lost anything
by burglary. And yet this place is
perfectly simple-outer door, pas
sage. inner door to clerks room,
opaning into my own Office, which
in turn opens into the strong room.
IT'S wonderful that the burglars new
er try it."
I suggested that he used preoau-
tons of his own-watchmen, private
detectives.
Montagu Morton smiled. "Ah,"
he said, "ever hear of Roynalf"
I had heard of him. Seeing that
Roynal advertised his detective
agency in every morning paper ev-
cry day it would have been difficult
not to hear of him, and said SO.
Montagu Morton unlocked and
opened 9 drawer in his writing table.
He took out leather tray, divided
into compartments, and from one of
the compartments produced a agreen
stone. which he handed me. "What
Go you make Of thatf''
'sAn emerald. )"
! "All green stones are emeralds to
you, said Morton. "It is not an
emerald. It is an opal-a curious
sort of opal-and worth whatever l
can get for it. I would give f7 or
as for it myself, but then never
give what thing is worth, other
wise ] could not live. However, that
is not the point. The point is that
If it had not been for Roynal the
stone would not have been in my
possession today"
And then Montagu Morton told
me the story which here tell again.
i When q grocer has his silk um-
brella stolen by a tramp, he goes to
the police. When an English count
ess lends pearl necklace to her
sister-in-law and the sister-in-law
returns it with the four principal
pearls removed and excellent imita-
4ions substituted, the countess goes
to Roynal She wants her pearls
Just as much as the grocer wants his
umbrella-probably even more-but
the countess does not want publicity
and scandal.
Roynal, engaged on these pearls.
called ON Morton for some informa-
ton, which Morton gave him with
his customary good nature. AS he
talked Roynal saw an opportunity
for extension of business. He most
~ divided his time between COM
planning he had too much to do and
endeavoring to get still more. He
rarely worked on case himself He
had any amount of assistants, clever
naturally and trained by himself, to
do the actual work. 1t was only
case of exceptional difficulty and
importance that would secure Roy
nails personal attention.
It having become quite obvious to
Roynal that Montagu Morton must
be frequently and urgently in need
Of detective agency to take care of
him, he took especial pains not to
mention the fact at the time, but on
the following day he instructed an
emissary and dispatched him. The
amissary was very fashionably
dressed, and in face was little Ike
Napoleon, and the card he sent in to
Mr. Morton by the hands Of Mr.
Moxton's clerk bore the name Mr.
Michael Hayvers and in the left
hand corner 'Mr. Roynal's Detect
i've Agency" introduced into the
presence Of Mr.. Morton, Mr. Hay
vers began hesitatingly.
He was sure that Mr.. Merton
would be glad to hear that the real
pearls had been recovered and Mr..
Roynal was taking them to the
countess that morning. Mr.. Roynal
had desired Mr.. Hayyers to thank
Mr.. Morton very warmly for the
valuable information which he had
so kindly given.
Mr.. Morton said politely that he
was happy to have been of any use.
"It has since struck Mr.. Roynal
that his detective agency would be
of constant use to you, Mr.. Morton,
In your business.
iu>.o Ac1 -, xsyhof 1vovs''