Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-11-15
DAILY SHORT STORY
The Pearl Necklace.
IOriginaI.l


be able to make some return for invi-
tations, cast about for a method of
doing so. Ee could not sing or play on
any musical instrument. He could not
lead the cOtillon. One thing he could
do-he could work tricks of sleight of
hand. BY this means he gradually got
invited to the best houses and soon
found himself in great demand.
One evening Edgar attended a large
ball given by one of society's magnates.
He was standing i'll room crowded
with people when suddenly he saw a
hand passed between two people and
pearl necklace dropped from it into
fold of lady's dress, which formed
a sort of pocket. The lady who was
the involuntary recipient of the Jewels
was Miss Rosa Mainwaring, the daugh-
ter of rich banker.
Now, Desmond was one of those self
contained fellows with an eye constant
ly TO business who always get on. In
a twinkling he had formed n plan to
turn what lie had seen TO great advan-
tage. 4 thief had doubtless purloined
the necklace and for some reason had
been obliged to get rid of it. This rea-
son was soon explained. Hearing q
commotion in the hall, Desmond went
there and found one of the guests. Rob
ert Chamberlin. Il young man of ire
prOachable character, being searched
by private detective for the necklace
which had been momentarily laid off
in the ladies' robing room and had dis
appeared. \ maid had reported seeing
n man in the robing room when no one
else was there answering to the descrip-
ton of Chamberlin. OF course the
jewels were not found.
The detective retired in confusion.
Nevertheless the news of the accusa-
ton soon spread, and Chamberlin found
himself in a very unenviable position.
Desmond sought the hostess and said
TO her:
IF you will permit me to entertain
some of your guests by a few sleight
of hand tricks. L think l can add to
the eclat of your ball"
Certainly, Mr.. Desmond. 1 would
have suggested it myself, but did not
like to trespass on your amiability."
Ten minutes later Il number of guests
were assembled in the music room.
Edgar mounted Il platform used for
musical purposes and delighted them
with his magic. Miss Mainwaring was
in the room, and presently Chamberlin
strOlled in. looking very unhappy.
THE next trick" said Edgar, Il call
the lost necklace Perhaps you do
not all know that Mrs. Worth has lost
nj
ing
\ painful constraint fell on the audi
ence. ''
Magic is worthless if it can't restore
stolen property In other words, this
necklace is not in the possession of
thief, but of an estimable lady whose
Integrity is unquestioned."
The constraint was turned into a
surprised expectancy
LET me see" tapping his forehead
and closing his eyes. Twice four are
eight, which, being divided by two,
gives four. In a fold of the dress of
the fourth lady sitting in the eighth
row. of. chairs the necklace will be
found"
Stepping down from the platform.
Edgar advanced to Miss Mainwaring
and. putting his hand into the fold,
took out the necklace, held it aloft,
then handed it to the lady who had
lost it.
There was a clapping of hands. not
very expressive of appreciation of Ed
CARS skill. but of rejoicing at the dis
covery that the whole affair was a
trick Nevertheless Edgar was blamed.
''That fellow will stop at nothing"
said one.
Some day he'll get himself in trou-
BILE with his tricks said another.
HE had no business" said a third.
''to use any guest for the purpose of
permission"
"Have 1 your pardon" said Edgar to
Miss AIainwaring. for placing the
necklace with yOu:"
Miss Mainwaring granted the par
don. but with no good grace.
Edgar sauntered away, as though in
different TO the effect he had produced,
but as soon as he got out of the room
he FASTENED to the hostess and begged
her to assemble the three persons in
terested in private room. When they,
the hostess included, came together.
Edgar closed the door and said:
'This matter of the necklace was
more serious than is supposed, and had
1 not acted as l did it might have re-
suited very unpleasantly. The neck
lace was undoubtedly stolen. and saw
q hand drop 1t in Miss Mainwaring's
dress. Had / revealed the fact there
are some who would have fancied
wished to screen her and have suspect
ed even so pure person as she. You,
too, Mr.. Chamberlin, would have re-
manned under suspicion. BY leading
he audience to believe that it was
mere trick both these disagreeable fea-
lures have been avoided, our hostess is
spared having had a cloud cast over
her. hall while Mrs Worth is repOS-