The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-06-11

''Illat is rather Il long story" replied Mr. Hard
wick land before l begin it 1 would like to ask you
one or two questions. Can YOU manipulate type
writer"
THAT depends what make it is. The ordinary
typewriter l understand very thoroughly"
Good. Have you any knowledge of shorthand?"
"a workable knowledge 1 write about 100
words Il minute
admirable admirable. Your coming to this or
flee was an inspiration You are just the person I
have been looking for.
''You didn't think yesterday, Mr.
Harlwick, said the girl, with sly glance at him.
We'll many things have happened since yester-
day. We are now dealing with today and with
Princess Steinhemer.'
''She is a German princess, of course?
"a German princess, but American woman.
She Miss Briggs, of Chicago, a daughter of
Briggs. the railway millionaire. worth somewhere
between twenty and twenty-five millions-lollars OF
course. A year two ago she married Prince Kon-
rad Won Steinheimer You may remember having
read about it in the papers,
''Oh, yes, the usual international matcE--the girl
after the title he after the money"
Il suppose but, be that as it may she was
the only daughter of Old Briggs and had spent :;
good deal of her time in Europe, and during her stay
in Europe she had accumulated vast stock of dia-
monds, some of them very notable stones l don't
know what the Whole collection is worth; some say
$1,0000O0, while others say double that amount
However that may be- Miss Briggs became the Prin-
cess Won Stenhever and brought to Austria with her
$1.00000 in gold and diamonds. which her father
gave her as her dowry; but of course being only
child. she will come in for the rest of the money
when the old dies
is he likely to die soon? don't suppose the
prince gave himself away for mere million?"
''Oh. you forget the diamonds! As to the likeli-
hood of old Briggs death. it didn't strike me as i'm
mnent when had conversation with him yester-
day"
yesterday? Is he here in London then?'
Eyes: he has come over to dsentange the mys-
terry about the diamonds.
''And what is the mystery? You take "a dreadful
long time to tell Il story 1ir Hardwick"
The story is important and ii must be told in
detail; otherwise may 20 on a long Journey for
notlting Ale you taking down what | say in shor,-
hand: That is right, and if you are wise you win
not tr;Escfbe Your notes that any could read
tlleln: they safer in that form The Won Stein
hellier family have two residences, house in VI
rnna and ancient castle III the TyroI situated o,
the heights above Meran, most picturesque place
understand, but very shortly you will know more
about it than l do because The BugIe expects Won
to go there its special correspondent Here the
diamond robbery took place something like two
months ago arid the affair is still as great a mystery
rs ever. The princess was to open the season mr.
hcran. which is 4 fashionable resort by giving
f'EcF dress ball in Schoss Steinheimer to which
all the Austrian and foreign notables were invited
1T was just before the bah commenced that the
diamonds were first missed In fact the princess
was about to put them on-she represented some
gorgeousy decorated character from the arabian
NightS-when the discovery was made that the dia-
monds were gone She was naturally very much
upset over her loss and once for the prince
her husband insisting that the police should be notf
led Immediately and detectives called in as WIS
perfectly natural. Now. here comes Il strange fea-
turc OF the affair." and this is that the prince posi-
lively forbade any publicity and refused his sane
ton when she demanded that the police should be
Informed, and Yet the prince knew as well as any,
body the very considerable value of the stones"
What reason did he give for his refusaI?@ asked
MISS Baxter looking up from her notes
Il am not quite certain about that but thin,,
he said it mira dig for the Stenbemers ia cali
III the police. Anyhow, it was an excuse which did
nor satisfy the princess, hut guests We're arriving
anu IL was desirable there should be no commotiou
70 "r the occasion the princess temporarily yielded
to the wish of her husband, and nothing was said
about the robbery. The great ball was the talk or
HleI5n for several days, and no one SUSPECTED tb.
private treble that going on underneath the NH
lie event During these several DAYS the princess in
sisted that the aid OF the police should be invoked
aud the prince equally strenuous that notbn.,
should be said about the matter Then quite unex
pecteoy, the prince veered completely round ana
SAID he would engage the best detectives in Enron.
strange to say when lie announced this decision to
ms wife she had veered round also and opposed tb.
calling in of the detectives as srenuously as he had
done heretofore
w nat reason did she give for her change or
frontE asked Miss Jennie
She said, l believe, that it was now too late.
that the thieves, whoever they We're had had fine
10 make away with their plumber and there woulo
merely be fuss and worry for nothing"
DO you know, 1 am inclined to agree with ber"
said the girl.
Are you: Then tell me what you think of The
case as far as you have got"
What do you Think"
Il shan tell you at this stage because know q,
1uftilef particulars which will give YOU later on
merely want your opinion ROW. so that 7 may GO.
whether what have to tell you afterwards n,odfes
it in any way
We'll to me the case locks decidedly dark against
the prince"
That is what Mr.. Briggs thinks He imagine.
his highness has the jewels
Where did you get al these palticuiarsY,