The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-07-03
after he had made known his identity.

artihcial palm there were released
three gems. among the largest in tho
house. They were genuine. The clerk
on examination Of the tray found that
three spurious stones had been substi-
tuted I'm their place
Kelly and the clerk examined the
arm. 1t was made largely of wood,
but with hollow iron chamber below
the elbow and hollow hand. A series
OF wires ran from the hand all the way
through the arm. These wires eyi-
IDENTIFY were controlled by the other
hand or the feet, and II was these that
had snapped when Kelly chung to the
artificial member OH the carriage stcrg
On pulling one of these wires Kelly
found that slot I'm the hand opened
and closed, thus scOoping up whatever
lay beneath 1t. On pulling another he
found that II would release one, two
or more spurious gems In place Of the
purloined genuine stones. o. these
spurious gems they found dozen or
90, but no more genuine stones were
found. Evidently the thief secretcd
each stone Immediately. -
1t was the most complete contrivance
that Kelly had ever seen for any kind
Of thicvcry.
But Kelly wns sore-sorV in mind
and body. He vowed nm unholy VOW
In most unholy language that he would
have that one armed mans scalp inside
Of month mt the. outside. He was
not satisfied with the mans arm. He
wanted more. Kelly was one of those
people who are never satisfied.
Two weeks later In large jewelry
house in down cnst metropolis an old
lady In a Quaker bonnet stood and nd
5usted her spcctacles and examined
some diamond earrings She was
plainly but richly dressed. Her real
name was Sneakers" Kelly.
Contrasting with this aged woman
and within foot or 30 Of her there
stood tall young man with n black
mustache. There was n ruddy, healthy
color upon his face. He said with some
embarrassment that he was buying nm
engagement ring. He bent over 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. '"rhis mans a
their she cried in shrill tones. "Close
the doorsr'
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 n word.
He only looked surprised. He had made
no resistance and no outcry.
The old woman, however, was excit-
ed. She pushed back her bonnet from
her face.
"He's got 'emw she exclaimed. Hes
got 'em In his arm. It's hollow. Make
him take It on. They're in there, tell
you, and you'll find 'em.'
The young man smiled, but protestAs,
"Gentiemen," he began, "true 1t is
my misfortune to have but one arm,
and true that wear tsase one, but
did not take your stones, 4 assure you."
The old woman violently shook her
head. "You make him take of that
armr' she commanded. "It's the great
est thing you ever saw. It's hollow.
and It's got your diamonds In 1t. Make
him take 1t 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 or the arm. They gathered
round and examined 1t, especially the
old lady.
shot. 1t was an ordinary false arm,
made OF solid cork.
When they were satisfied that Il was
nothing else, the young man replaced
IL and donned his coat again.
"Gentlemen," he continued, looking
hard at the old woman, II 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 n grin. "a
bare possibility that she has the stones
herself. And II I am not mistaken
saw her put something I'm that bag.
You might examine 1t II you WILL"
he DuB III lucStiOu "ab Ohc WHICH
hung Mt the old lady's side. They ex-
amined 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 countennnce of Sneakers"
Kelly. the detective.
The clerks pounced upon him and