The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-08-18
after he had made known his identity.


wire that protruded fIom its upper
artificial palm there were released
three gems. among the largest in the
house. They We're genuine. The clerk
ON examination OF the tray found that
three spurious stones had been substi-
tuted in their place.
Kelly and the clerk examined the
arm. 1t was made largely OF wood,
but with a hollow iron chamber below
the elbow and a hollow hand. A series
of wires ran from the hand all the way
through the arm. These wires evil
IDENTIFY were controlled by the other
hand or the feet. and il was these that
had snapped when Kelly clung to the
artificial member on the carriage step.
On pulling one of these wires Kelly
found that a slot in the hand opened
and closed. thus scooping up whatever
lay beneath il. On pulling another he
found that IL would release one two
or more spurious gems in place of the
purloined genuine stones. or these
spurious gems they found a dozen or
so. but no more genuine stones were
found. Evidently the thief secreted
each stone Immediately.
1t was the most complete contrivance
that Kelly had ever seen for any kind
of thicvery.
But Kelly was sore-sore in mind
and body. He vowed an unholy vow
In most unholy language that he would
have that one armed mans scalp inside
Of q month at the outside. He was
To
wanted more. Kelly was one OF those
people who are never satisfied.
Two weeks later In large Jewelry
house In a down east metropolis an old
lady in a Quaker bonnet stood and ad
justed her spectacles and examined
some diamond earrings. She was
plainly but richly dressed. Her real
name was Sneakers" Kelly.
Contrasting with this aged woman
and within a foot or so Of her there
stood a tall young man with a black
mustache. There was ruddy, healthy
color upon his face. He said with some
engagement ring. He bent over a tray
containing an assortment. The old Ia
| dy was so close to him that she almost
| touched him.
Suddenly she gripped him by the arm
and yelled to the clerk. This mans a
| THEIR she cried I'm shrill tones. ''Close
| the doorsp'
The clerk hastily drew back the tray
| Of rings. Several other men ran up.
| Somebody closed the doors.
Then they inspected the tray Of dia-
monds. Sure enough, two rings were
missing None. however. had been sub
stituted In their stead.
The young man uttered not a word
He only looked surprised. He had made
| no resistance and no outcry.
The old woman, however, was excit-
l ed. She pushed back her bonnet from
her face.
Hes got 'emr she exclaimed. Hes
| got 'em in his arm. It's hollow. Make
him take it of. They're in there, tell
| you, and you'll find 'em."
The young man smiled. but protested
feebly.
my misfortune to have but one arm,
and true that l wear false one, but /
did not take your stones. l assure you"
The old woman violently shook her
head. You make him take ,f that
rmr' she commanded. Its the great
st thing you ever saw. It's hollow.
md it's got your diamonds in II. Make
.im take IL on
The young man looked around upon
the faces; then he smiled again. Here"
he replied: there's but one way to
prove my innocence"
He removed his coat. rolled up his
sleeve. unbuckled a strap or two and
pulled of the arm. They gathered
round and examined IL, especially the
old lady.
1t was not hollow-not by n long
shot. 1t was an ordinary false arm.
made of solid cork.
When they were satisfied that IL was
nothing else. the young man replaced
1t and donned his coat again.
Gentlemen" he continued, looking
hard ut the old woman, Il am no mans
accuser or no woman's either, but
these stones were missed when both Of
us-the old lady and myself-stood
at this counter. There Is bare posi-
bility." he continued, with a grin, "a
bare possibility that she has the stones
herself. And II I an not mistaken
saw her put something in that bag.
You might examine II IL you WILL
The bag in question was one which
hung at the old lady's side. They ex-
ainined II, and they found-oh. nothing
much. save the two missing diamond
rings: that's all.
"Now, gentlemen" added the young
man, unless am again mistaken this
old lady is not what she seems to be.
Let us investigate once more" He
reached over and deftly pulled from
her head the Quaker hat and an old
gray wig. There stood revealed the
grizZled countenance OF Sneakers"
Kelly. the detective.
The clerks pounced upon him and
bore him to the station house. the neIr-
est one. There he was kept for two
days, until a Chicago special could be
sent on to recognize and identify him
for the man he really was.
But on the way down to the station
the young man with the false arm
somehow disappeared. Before he did
so. however, he stepped up and said a
word to Kelly.
Kelly" he explained in low voice,
"next time you must give a fellow time
to get n new arm made. Arms of my
pet brand don't grow on trees, you
I know"
And then he went.