The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-02-12

as collateral security on lodH' A0
had received his money, and was get
ting change for a $50 note at the time
the larceny was committed. These
were the bills l saw before him. OF
course knew Harrington and Collier
were the thieves, but where TO find
them at that time was a question. The
special / left at the corner followed
the men and saw them start for the
back part of town. jumped into
cab and drove around for while, but
nowhere in my search, which was high
and low, did l hear of either.
Twas s or o'clock when l return
ed, and, walking up the same street,
to my establishment, who should see
standing Immediately in front of me
but Harrington himself. He approach
ed me Familiarity; spoke about the
hardness of the times, the ordinary
topics of the day, and kept so persist
emily near me, that 1 began to be
bored. I at length caught the eye of
an officer, and nodding him to look
after him, escaped. There was not
much done by him for the next three
or four hours that was known Of, sut
to the surprise Of everybody he went
to the lodging house, secured bed
and went to Sleep Having got my
man fairly housed felt safe, and set
to work to recover the missing gem.
His extraordinary powers as an i'm
promptu talker at once suggested
possible confession, and I, determined,
without exciting his suspicious, to oc-
cupy the same room with him. Being
a temperate man, I scarcely hoped to
impose upon him by feigning drunken
ness, but trusting to his ignorance of
my character, l tried it. There for
tunately happened to be two beds in
the apartment, and about an hour aft
erward l was carried up on the should
ers of two stout walters, singing Justify
a medley of Champagne Charley and
I'VE Won't Go Home Till Morning"
They soused me down with
thump, tucked me in, boots and all,
and in five minutes I was snoring loud
ly, apparently in beastly state of in
toxication. I supposed no great time
could elapse before my room mate
would commence his sleep talk, and
sure enough he did. He started out
about his mother and an old house
somewhere in Pennsylvania, and then
he touched on girl he went to school
with, and, of course, loved desperately.
He talked about going to New York
as clerk. There was more than one
piece of rascality touched on that
opened my eyes, and not a few in
stances of brutality that made me
shudder. At last, as l knew it would,
out came all about the diamond.
He and Collier, just as l supposed,
saw the broker and the owner of the
gem go into jewelry establishment
to have it weighed. Heard the clerk
say just what it was worth. Followed
the two back to the brokers Office
When the diamond was lying in an
open case on the counter the two
thieves stepped up. Collier drew out
some city money to have it discounted,
and Harrington, having first put a
piece of wax on the handle Of his walk
Ing cane, laid it carelessly across the
box. A dispute arose regarding the
rate of discount, and both left in a
hun, the diamond fastened securely on
the end Of the cane. Both saw the
special follow them down Royal street
and when they turned the corner of
Bienville, Collier, who had the diamond
in his mouth, to prevent any acct
dents, swallowed it, You can imagine
my state of mind at being compelled to
listen to all this, and yet lie idle.
For a time I had pondered over the
policy of finding Collier at once and
cutting him open, but a sober second
thought determined me on trying the
virtues of tartar emetic.
There is barroom in the Second
ward well known as the resort of every
thief who comes to town. The pro-
prietor is as deep as the shrewdest of
them, and l could get no assistance
from him; but there most probably I
would find Collier the next morning
and there l went. Stopping at a drug
store, as soon as l got out, purchased
a good strong dose of the emetic, max
ing up my mind to take drink with
my man, and by some hook or crook |
slip 1t into glass. About 6 o'clock I |
met him. Pretending to be looking up
the points of a burglary which had |
never taken place, l engaged him in
and we slowly rambled
up to the drinking saloon in question.
l invited him to drink, he accepted.
and both ordered a gin cocktail.
The first glance at the proprietor
convinced me l could do nothing Sc
cretly. So taking out the powder, re-
marking l was compelled to take
something for cold, dropped it into
the cocktail and stirred it up. I made
up my mind to change glasses with