The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-03-06
6UTHREY GUY
 CLARKE E-BENS0N


 "we hear a great deal about the Russian detective and how he will follow a mystery to the end of the ,arth." said a gentleman the other day ,n the smoking compartment of . drawing room car on the New York Central railroad. "Its my opinion hat our detectives right here in Amer ca are about as wldeawake as any in he world"
 "D'you think soY' said a red whis Scred man seated by the window in q ,one indicating that he was of diff lercnt opinion.
 "I am sure of it," said the other T am aware that Scotland Yard Is held up as a model for detective work, but Scotland Yard could learn any lay from some of our first class de ,ective agencies"
 What d'you know about 1t any -wayy" asked the red whiskered man
 Well. our firm was robbed several years ago of some securities-were stockbrokers-and was the member of the tirm who took the matter in charge. found a detective who trae- ed the thief tn no time and recovered all the property. He was smart as 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 lt Scotland Yard"
 The man by the window gave a snort.
 Many Engllshmen are of the same opinion" the speaker persisted. Scot land Yard was once home for re markable detective work. lt Is now very much run down"
 q know better" said the red whis' kered man. goaded by this disparage- ment. Scotland Yard Is the best in the world"
 How do you knowI"
 "I've seen the way they work"
 Perhaps you can cite caseT
 The man turned and looked out Of the window. but he was evidently a loyal Brlton and could not bear to bear any British institution attacked.
 "I'n do it." he said. turning from the scene without. "One 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. rhcre were fifty guests about to de part. and one of them might be the thief. Lord Blandcry 'iln't like Co pro. pose search. bui i've a fancy for detective work aud made up my mind to spot the thief Lord Blandcry ac. ccdcd to my request 10 permit no one to leave the house uutil l gave the word. then told me an about the miss lug property. showing me few thing that were left.
 Here" he said. among other things. Is a mosaic sleeve button The other has been stolen. l bought them ln Rome several years ago"
 "rhcrc Is a clew." l said. "in case we fail to dnd the thief here. I'll take it Co a man | know In Scotland Yard. and l'u lay you hundred pounds hell return your jewelry. Hell find itS mate and by that means the thief"
 We'll. every guest was searched. ] leading the way We took our leave, aud left the sleeve button at Scot land Yard
 son after Lord Blanderys valet found mother place and left bis 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 hlm ever since he had left Lord Blandery walked up to him and placed the missing sleeve button be- side the pin. They were identical The valet. not being able to make use ot single sleeve button. bad had lt turned Into a scarfpln. Lord Blandery recoy' cred a hundred thousand pounds worth of jewelry and paid me the wager, and [ secured the scarfpin from Scotland Yard as a memcnto."
 "I don't believe that yarn" said the champion Of the American detective.
 "Tn show you the pin. have it right here In my pocket" And. draw ing out a small jewel box, be opened ii and produced a mosaic pin of a very peculiar pattern.
 "Tom Rourke." said the doubter. ayou are the biggest liar fin the world. as we'll 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 servltude when get you back to London. I've been following you