The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-04-17
Lady ChetSt0ne'S Pearls
Story of Detective Who Never
Formed Theories.

Formed Theories.
o.o.o-o.o.o.o.o.o.o-o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
"Perhaps the secret Of my success, as
you are good enough to call it," remark.
ed the eminent detective, Reginald Nor.
timer, lies in the fact that never per.
NIT myself to form theories. In this
manner keep myself free from the traps
and pitfalls into which a preconceived
theory will at times lead you."
A maid entered and handed Mortimer
telegram which had just been deliver
ed. Tearing open the envelope. he rapid
ly glanced at the message and, with a
smile, passed 1t across to me.
took it from him and read:
Lady Chetstone's pearls stolen. Come down at
once and investigate. CHErsrONE.
Shortly after 10 o'clock on the follow
ing morning Mortimer and stood upon
Hungerf0rd platform, where we found a
carriage waiting TO convey US to Love-
dale Manor.
A drive Of couple Of miles brought
us to Lovedale Manor, a fine old English
residence beautifully situated in wood
ed valley. At the door we were met by
Sir Claude Gladstone himself, who re-
ceived us in very hospitable manner.
Nor would he speak of the matter on
which we had come until we had par
taken of the refreshments ordered for VI.
"There Is really very little to TELL" he
remarked. any wife and were at the
county ball on the night of the robbery
and returned home about 2 o'clock. Pro-
ceeding to her dressing room, Lady Chef.
stone removed her necklace and placed Il
upon the table, intending to lock it in her
Jewel case. This, however, she omitted
to do, and she quilted the room. leaving
the necklace lying upon the table. In
the morning it had disappeared. There
is absolutely no clew US to what has be-
come Of it."
"Is 1t possible for any one to enter tho
room during the night without passing
through Lady Chetstone's bedroom?' he
inquired.
1T is quite possible" returned Sir
Claude. "There are two doors, one OPEN
ing into the bedroom, another into the
corridor"
"Ah, indeed. Were any Of the servants
likely to be about after you came home"
$50 far as l am aware they had all
gone to bed, with the exception of the
butler, who let US in, and Mile. Valerie,
the French goyerness. l do not know
why she was up so late, but l recollect
that as l passed the drawing room I
heard her singing"
The dressing room was on the first
floor of the house. The table, which was
placed close to the window, was Uttered
with the usual array of chinaware with
which ladies' love to surround themselves.
Near the edge lay half burned match,
which had evidently been carelessly
thrown down by some person after light.
ing the gas. This match Mortimer at
once picked up and examined carefully.
My companion examined the room thor
oughly, using his pocket microscope to
peer at things which appeared to me to
have no connection with the matter in
hand. In particular he spent quite O
time examining large wardrobe which
stood near the door-a curious, old fash.
Toned thing with lot Of polished BRASS
work about 1t.
II presume nothing has been disturbed
since the robbery was discovered"
Nothing has been altered. No one
has been allowed to enter the room since
We discovered the robbery. l thought it
better to leave everything as it was until
you had seen it,"
"That was right. And now, with your
permission, I should like to examine the
servants"
One by one the servants came up to the
room in varying stages of indignation and
fear. Mortimer keenly cross questioned
EACH asking number Of questions which
seemed to me to be totally irrelevant, but
to which he appeared to attach consid-
cradle importance. Among the last to
appear was the maid who had charge Of
the dressing room.
at is your duty to keep this room in
order, underestimate" said the detective
after number Of questions similar to
those he had already put to the other
servants.
Eyes, sir il is" replied the girl.
"Can you tell me when you were last
in 1t on the night of the robbery"
about IL o'clock, sir"
"Ah, indeed! And, pray, why were you
here so late? l understand that in the
ordinary course you would have no occa-
sion to be here after TO-"
"Well, you see, sir, knew her lady
ship wouldn't be back till the morning.
and as had to 60 down to the village I
put off doing the room till l got back"
Il understand. l think that will do.
By the bye, do you remember doing any
hing to this wardrobe"