Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-10-10
From 4 Detectives Notebook

The queerest things that happen never
find their way into the newspapers. 1T is
difficult to say why; perhaps it is because
they are too queer. For instance. doubt
if you have ever heard Of a strange Incl
dent that happened only Il season or two
ago IN that select section Of the fashion
able world known as society.
4 lady Of title. Lady yarmouth, re-
cuested me to call on her one morning
about the beginning Of June the London
season being then at its height.
L want your help, Mr.. Lowe she be-
gan, and then stopped aWkwardly. Per
haDs you are not aware that at several
balls and dinner parties this season there
have been jewels and ornaments stolen.
It has, of course. caused a great deal of
unpleasantness. In several cases trinkets
have even been actually taken from the
wearers without their knowing how 1t
was done or who did 1t.
[ had heard several wild tales of artl-
cles having been missed at fashionable
gatherings, and there was much specula-
ton as to who was the cuprit. The artl-
cIeS were not, as a rule, OF immense Value
and they always disappeared Slngly, con
seuuently 10 public notice had been dl-
rected to the matter. In one or two cases
tie police had been consulted, but it was
impossible for them to help. There could
be no doubt that the thief was a person
who mixed in society as an equal prob
ably woman who had allowed her love
of ieNelry to tempt her to dishonesty.
I presume. then. that the-er-thlef IS
a Guest-a person in society?' l said in
quiringly.
L am afraid so. Two or three
things were missed at dance which
gave last week. Now. I am giving an
other dance next Thursday, and [ am, OF
course, most anxious it should not occur
again. at any rate in my house. |
thought [ would engage your services for
the evening" to see If you detect any
thing suspicious. Of course, you would
be treated as q guest
We made arrangements about terms,
and it was agreed that [ should be in
troduced as an American by name Capt
Burke.
I 81, pose, Lady Barmouth,' I said
carelessly,, YOU don't suspect anybody
in particularly
oh. no. she said but I noticed what
[ thought was a look Of anxiety on her
face, and made a mental note of it.
As was leaving. Lady yarmouth
said: "Of course. Mr.. Love- you quite
understand, there must be no expose. If
YOU maxi any discoveries, they must
be treated as secrets. | 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 require al
your tact and yield very little credit
secondly, that Lady yarmouth knew
more, or at any rate, guessed more than
she cared to tell.
Thursday evening arrived and I went
TO Merton house. Practically, my duty
was to mingle with the guests. enjoy
myself and keep my eyes wide open
Nothing seemed to be more improbable
than that there should be a thief amone
the brilliant throng that crowded the
rooms. Everything was conducted in
the most sumptuous and luxurious style
HUNGARIAN band discoursed the sweet
est of dance music and the guests were
among the highest in the land
For long while nothing occurred OF
the smallest significance. But at abont
: o'clock in the morning, when I was sit
ting III snug corner of the conserya-
tory, where cigarette smoking was per
mltted, | noticed couple take up a po-
sltion IN the opposite corner. They were
both young, and evidently very much in
love with one another. The girl was
handsomely dressed and wore some valu-
able jewels. In particular I noticed a
pair of diamond eardrops which had just
come into fashion again. Without beinc
a connoisseur Of precious stones, I un-
derstand them well enough to know that
these were very. valuable indeed, and
likely to be worth several hundred
pounds.
These two young people were sitting
out during a dance, and they firted all
through a set of lancers. without any i'm
patience 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 shin
ing. ] strolled across and examined it.
i was her vinaigret, which she had
probably left there by accident. I re-
placed it, thinking it might serve as a
in the neighborhood and withdrew to my
corner. where | was almost invisible.
Presently an old gentleman strolled out