The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-02-02

Lue lllau WHO ll;lu tnc gun IdlSc IL Will
careful aim and fire in the direction of
a mound on the shore. Again some
birds rosc,at the report.
Put her alongside, King" and !
motioned to King to take the helm.
"You three jump into the boat and Sc
cure these men as soon as we touch"
Now was the exciting time. They
had thrown nothing into the water so
far, | was certain. Another minute,
and we would have them. Let her
come gently alongside said to King,
and | gave the order to ease her. The
diamond was within reach.
ave are just having a little shoot
ing, and thought of landing here" re-
marked the man with the gun, but he
eyed me suspiciously.
"What kind cf birds are there about
here?' | asked casually. We were
within a couple of yards, and | was
preparing for the spring. Before he
could finish his reply we were on them,
and the two men wrr" pinned to the
bottom o. iurir own boat. ! !lt re-
leved, for | was fairly confident of
success. They admitted that they
were from Durham, but denied all
knowledge of the diamond. They had
heard of its theft, but they were not
the men. OF course we did not believe
that, and rigid search at once COM
menced. The men were stripped and
every inch of clothing examined, but
no diamond. Having finished for the
time being, we trans-shipped them to
the launch and began strict examina-
tion of the sailing boat. We took up
the bottom boards and broke up the
seats and fittings, but without success.
The two men stormed and threatened
and swore they were merely pleasure
party and vowed summary vengeance,
as they termed it.
l was greatly disappointed at the
result of the search, but King grinned
and whispered in my ear and advised
that we should return to the ship.
We watched every movement OF the
men on our way back. could see my
own men were disappointed, but their
faces frightened up when King whis-
pered to them what he had told to nc.
Every now and then one Of them would
come out with a guffaw, and the rest
would smile.
The two prisoners were very indig-
nant at first, but they soon recovered
and took matters very coolly. One OF
them asked permission to smoke and
opened small box of cigars that we
had brought from the boat, which was
now being towed by us. Smoking led
to talking, and found that they were
really very pleasant fellows. The dia-
mond, they said, was called the "South
African Prince and would be worth
quite $1,000, and considerably more
perhaps if the cutting turned out well.
They repudiatcd the charge Of theft
but admitted that they had just come
from one of the diamond camps. They
seemed quite sure that they wo". he
able to satisfy the captain when they
arrived at the cruiser. was glad that
they did take matters so pleasantly and
apologized for pulling their boat about
'Oh, it's not ours" said one of them
1T is hired one, and the owner will
come upon you for the damage" And
the two men laughed at this.
"Why, there's the Gadhy," cried one
of the Jacks.
looked and found he was right, SC
we altered our course a point and
steered straight for her. She was
coming up quickly, for they had sighted
us. In very short time we were Oh
board and steaming back to Durham
The captain was pleased at the capture
but disappointed when he found that
we had not come across the diamond
He sail he would retain the two men
prisoners, for awhile at least, until he
heard from the man who had visited
him in the early morning.
But as soon as we were off Duban
he came in his boat to us, and he pro
ceeded to search the men again, after
which he and the captain had 4 long
consultation in the cabin, while gave
the story to the first lieutenant. He
inclined to the opinion that they had
succeeded in dropping it overheard
but l differed, and told him that from
the moment Of sighting them | care
fully watched their movements; but be
showed me half dozen ways as how
it could be done. However, | still ad-
hered to my opinion. The converse
tion was cut short 10y 4 message from
the captain.
II am sorry" he said, rs | entered
his cabin, that | am not justified in
detaining these men. They have,
fear, outwitted u.s."
They have probably got rid Of the
stone before putting out to sea" re
marked the strange military gentle
man, who, | found, was one of the in
spectors under the illicit diamond act
SO the two men were brought in and
told they could go ashore when they
wished. Then one Of them cut up
rough and said that they had been