Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1902-02-06
GUTHREY GUY
(L.ARKE-BENS0N

eve hear great deal about the
Russian detective and how he will
follow a mystery to the end of the
EARTH" said a gentleman the other day
In the smoking compartment Of a
drawing room car on the New York
Central railroad. "It's my opinion
that our detectives right here in Amer
lea are about as wideawake as any In
the world
"D'you think soY said red whis-
kered man seated by the window in
tone indicating that he was Of a diff
ferent opinion.
II am sure of it," said the other.
II am aware that Scotland Yard is
held up as model for detective work,
but Scotland Yard could learn any
day from some of our first class de-
tective agencies"
What d'you know about it any
way?" asked the red whiskered man.
"Well, our firm was robbed several
years ago Of some securities-we're
stockbrokers-and I was the member
OF the firm who took the matter in
charge. found detective who trac-
ed the thief in no time and recovered
al the property. He was smart a.
chain lightning. He told me Of many
Intricate cases he had followed, show
ing me just how he had worked them
up. He said they were blind as bats
at Scotland Yard"
The man by the window gave a
snort.
Many Englishmen are of the same
opinion" the speaker persisted. "Scot-
land Yard was once home for re-
markable detective work. 1t is now
very much run down."
II know better" said the red whis-
kered man, goaded by this disparage-
ment. Scotland Yard is the best in
the world"
How do you know?"
1--WE seen the way they work"
Perhaps you can cite case?"
The man turned and looked out of
the window, but he was evidently
loyal Briton and could not bear to
hear any British institution attacked.
"I'll do it" he said, turning from the
scene without. lone Of my intimate
friends, Lord Blandery, gave party at
bis country seat, and was among the
guests. The morning we were all to
leave, the family Jewels were missing.
There were fifty guests about to de-
part, and one of them might be the
thief. Lord Blandery didn't like to pro-
pose a search. but | have a fancy for
detective work and made up my mind
to spot the thief. Lord Blandery ac-
coded to my request to permit no one
to leave the house until gave the
word, then told ME all about the miss
ing property showing me few things
that were left.
Here he said, among other things,
is mosaic sleeve button. The other
has been stolen. bought them in
Rome several years ago."
There is clew." l said, "in case
we fail to find the thief here. I'll take
1t to man know in Scotland Yard,
and I'll lay you hundred pounds he'll
return your jewelry. He'll find its
mate and by that means the thief"
Well, every guest was searched,
leading the way. We took our leave,
and left the sleeve button at Scot
land Yard.
'Soon after Lord Blandery's valet
found another place and left his lord
ships services. One month later he
was found dancing at servants ball,
wearing mosaic scarfpin. A detec-
tive from Scotland Yard who had kept
an eye on him ever since he had left
Lord Blandery walked up to him aud
placed the missing sleeve button be-
side the pin. They were identical Tho
valet, not being able to make use Of q
single sleeve button, had had it turned
into scarfpin. Lord Blandery recoy-
cred hundred thousand pounds worth
Of jewelry and paid me the wager, and
l secured the scarfpin from Scotland
Yard as u menlento."
II don't believe that yarn" said the
champion of the American detective.
"I'n show you the pin. l have 1t
right here in my pocket" And, draw
ing out small jewel box, he opened 1t
| and produced mosaic pin of very
peculiar pattern.
tom Rourke." said the doubtel,
| 'you are the biggest liar in the world,
as well as the biggest thief. You have
fallen victim to your insane desire to
overtop everybody else. For trying to
down me you'll get twenty years of
penal servitude when / get you back
to London. I've been following you
for six months. Here is the mate to
your transformed sleeve button"
| He pulled up his coat sleeve, and
there in one of his cuffs was mosaic
button, the counterpart of the pin.
"Who are you?' exclaimed the
friend of Lord Blandery, paling.
"I'm Peter Yorke of Pinkertons.
Scotland Yard got this sleeve button
from Lord Mariyale, not Lord Bian-
derry, as you have named him. There
was no valet in the case, but one Of
Lord Marivale's guests was Guthrey
Guy Clarke-Benson, who had brought
forged letters of introduction from
Melbourne. Soon after the robbery