Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-10-02
TIL E STOLEN |
DIAMOND 4 4 4 |
[GU9!S5!I!&!II.I

n jty about his person, such as a
missing finger, a club foot, or any
mark made by his trade, such as the
mark on the hand Of a barber, where
the scissors had constantly pressed
against the root OF his thumb, should
be careful lest these means Of identi-
fication are not the means OF his down
fall. Most Of the cases which have
come under my notice have been cases
where the culprit has had some bod
lily deficiency which has left its mark
on something with which he had come
in contact. The experience which l
am about TO relate embodies this
truth, and had not the criminal in the
case had the misfortune Of losing one
half of his-but / am anticipating
events.
had just return from the continent,
where / had been sent In connection
with the duchess OF Mentone's stolen
jewels, and was prepared TO eujoy a
rest, when / received a wire from my
chief asking me to report at once.
Upon arriving at the office he told me
that a robbery had been committed at
the summer home Of Mr.. George Mid
dleton the millionaire oil magnate,
and that detective had been wired
for. As 10 the particulars only one
diamond had been stolen, a magnificent
stone Of great value intrinsically, and
Of incaiculable worth 70 the family as
an heirloom.
Mr. Middleton's place was some
where up the Hudson, and ] set out at
once.
When I arrived 7 was az once taken
10 Mr.. Middleton, who appeared very
much upset over the AFFAIR, not 50
much. as he assured me. on account Of
! the value OF the stone, but Il had been
SO long IN the family and had had so
much 70 do with the history Of the
/ family, having been passed down as
an heirloom from one generation 70
| another. that he viewed the Toss as
great calamity. The points Of the
case were briefly az follows: On the
previous night he had taken the dia-
mand from the safe 10 show 1t TO
some Of his guests, and Mrs. Middle
ton. who was TO wear il az the ball
on the following night, had taken II
from him. and. not thinking IL neces-
sary 70 place IL in the safe for 50
short a time. had taken IL 70 her bed
room and put it IN small easket on
her dressing-table
The next morning before gong
downstairs she thought she would see
n II was all right, and was astonishea
20 find the casket empty. There were
many guests In the house ana az my
request / was 20 be introduced as a
friend Of Mr.. Middleton. Before going
into the drawing-room asked i he
would be good enough 20 give me some
nar,ioulars about his guests. Let me
go he said, there are about 20
quests. mostly gentlemen. Win the
exception Of three, they are OLD irlenas
~ The family. and above suspicion. me
rerra3ning three are gentlemen OF high
oharac.er. one Of them is a Russian
ooun, who came TO me with letters
tror, intimate friends abroad, ana one
- ~ o,hers Is an Englishman whom
7 met in New York, and our KINDRED
.as,es led me 10 invite him here Few
rasl,s. the other is gentleman from
,o,vn greatly interested in dynamies'
80 whom met at my club. These are
,he only aequaintanees that are mere
whom / have met during the last
year" ,.;,
,vas then taken TO the drawing
ION, and introduced 20 most OF the
Guests. among them the three new AZ.
oraintanees. / gained nothing that
NIGHT, and noticed nothing suspicious
about any Of the guests. was rat ,5
,n.,ined 10 think that the robbery mao
- committed from the inside ny
- one Of the servants or one OF
~ r,ssts as all the doors had oeen
s-,,,5 fastened on the morning alter
,be robbery, and no one knew tna' 'le
diamond was in the house llt Wa a
svsvs kent at the bank but the mem mem.
49, ~ the household and the guests
- ,vhon Il had been shown on tne
ssrb. ~ the robbery. In the morning
! ssked the servant who brought ne :
nv coffee and rolls 70 come m anu -, :
questioned ON him as TO the guests ano INC. :.
~ had noticed any Of the servants "'i'
I, trouble over money matters
.Now- I said to him, have you
noticed anything peculiar about any
- the guests? No matter no~
| riding It may appear TO you, ! IN, may !
J he the means of providing me win :
,, clew." a,a then
..;5 that he had noticed NOTHING
s~ Of the common. He had Jus'
gu. ont Of the room when ne re-
snnsared and told me that ne h aa
~ one thing about one q tn ne
r,,ests but it could have nothing ~
! witb the robbery. He haa no
- mat one Of the men had az
~ had his shoes cleaned while
|, , ya were on his feet He always way,
soIiscted all the shoes ana 'o "
m down TO be cleaned but Mr. ,,
> ..h. man who always taiAs