Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1901-05-16
The DETECTIVES STORY.

never find their way into the news
papers. 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
incident that happened only sea
son or two ago IN that select section
Of the fashionable world known rs
society
A lady u title. Lady l,4rmouth,
requested me to call Oh her4one
morning about the beg inning of
June, the London season beiug then
at its height.
4 want your help, Mr., Love,
she began, and then stopped awk-
wardy. Perhaps you are not
aware that at several balls aud din
ner parties this season there have
been jewels and ornaments stolen
IL has, OF course, caused a great
deal OF unpleasartuess. In several
cases trinkets have been actually
taken from the wearers without
their knowing how il was done or
who did it.
had heard several wild tales Of
articles baviug been missed at fash
ionable gatherings. and there was
much speculation as to who was the
culprit, The articles were not, as
rule, Of immense yaIne, and tfes
always disappeared singly consr-
quently no public notice had hrcn
directed TO the matter I'm one or
two cases the police had beer COZ
suited, but it was ~ @, ssibe for
them to help. There could b, no
doubt that The thief Was persnn
who mixed in soci"ty as 80 equal,
probably woman Who had a'ioerd
her love OF jewelry 10 tempt her to
dishonesty.
! presume then that the--er--
thief is a guest--a person in society"
said inquiringly.
u am afraid so. Two or thse
things we're missed ut dance which
| | gave last week. Now, | am Civ
ing another 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 tho
evening to see if you detect any
thing suspicious OF course YOU
would be treated as guest
We made arrangements about
terms, and it was agreed that
should be introduced as an Amcri-
can, BY name Captain Burke.
4 suppose, Lady Bnrmouth.'
said, carelessly You don't suspect
any body in particular 2
'Oh, no. she said, but noticed
what thought was look of anx.
iety on her face, and made mental
note Of IT,
AS vas leaving Lady yarmouth
said OF course, MIR Lowe, YOU
quite understand there must be no :
expose. II you make any discover
les they must be treated as secrets.
cant have scene Of any kind.
1t must be hushed up.
returned to the Office impressed
with two ideas-frst, that my task
was one Of those delicate cases that
require all your tact, and yield very
little credit secondly, that Lady
Barmouth know more, or at any
rate guessed more, than she cared
to tell.
| Thursday evening arrived and
went to Merton House. Practically
my duty was to mingle wish the
guests, enjoy myself and keep my
eyes wide open Nothing seemed
to be more improbable than that
there should be thief among the
brilliant throng that crowded the
rooms. Every thing was conducted
in the most sumptuous and luxuri-
Gus style a Hungarian band dis
coursed the sweetest of dance mu-
sic and the guests were among the
highest in the land
For long while nothing occur.
red OF the smallest significance,
But at about 2 O. clock in the morn
ing, while | was sitting in the snug
corner of the conservatory, whore
cigarette smoking was permitted, |
noticed a couple take up position