The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-03-13
q Stratasem THAT Failed.
Ep p. Gcaufep.


man to await my return | staggered
into the emporium and approached the
long, glittering counter.
A gentlemanly assistant leaned TO-
ward me, asking In low, melllfuUus
tone what he could have the honor Of
showing me. / hinted my require
ments I'm n few peremptory words,
which seemed 10 impress him very
deeply. and during the next half hour
l kept the youth busy displaying TO me
all sorts and conditions Of precious
stones, the mere sight OF which made
my mouth water. to use n somewhat
forcible, though inelegant expression.
When / had sustained the farce long
enough ] shrugged my shoulders dis
consoately and observed:
"Really, / don't care to decide on
anything without consulting my wife.
Unfortunately, she is kept TO the hotel
by bad cold and cannot stir out"
II was then that the assistant made
the suggestion for which / was walt
ing.
I'VE could send around an assert.
ment by one Of our people, II you like,
sir" he remarked affably, "and then
the lady could see for herself"
"Ah! an admirable plan" cried
speaking ms though the arrangement
had occurred TO me as he spoke ''Do
you think you could send your man be-
tween five and six this eveningp
Certainly, sir. VIII you be good
enough to state your name and hotelY
Here Is my card" returned, az
produced n piece Of pasteboard spe-
clally printed for this purpose, and
which bore the name OF "The Hon
Charles Puget" 81 am stopping at the
Recherche"
THANK you very much. sir. The
messenger shall wait on you at the
time you name"
He bowed politely, and insisted on
accompanying me into the street and
holding open the flap of the hanson
whilst / took my seat in the vehicle.
Much pleased with the success of my
hotel and told Basting that all was in
capital train for the working of the
stratagem. His eyes lit up with de
light
BLOW me, guv-nor." ne muttcrcd.
III you amt very Ncrpolcon o.
dooplicity. 'Pon my sivvy, It's pleas
ure to commit fcllcrny with bloke
like you. and no mistake"
Hush" | said quickly, remember
the game is not ended yet, and one
false stroke may bring everything to
ruin. Have you the chloroform
rcadyW
"'Ere IL is" he replied with a
chucklc, producing the phial from his
pocket.
"And the bag for the stones"
asked
IT'S in the sittn' room. Hevcry.
thin's as right as trivet, guv-nor, and
If the job falls through il won't be
along of any want o. forethought ON
the part of yures truly"
"Goodw / cried "and now there is
nothing to be done but TO await the
arrival of Messrs. Stoner's man."
At quarter past five waiter en-
tered and informed me that the jew
eler's assistant was below.
"Show him up" l replied smartly.
The man bowed and retired. A mo-
ment later tall, pale-faced youth
made his appearance. bearing a parcel
in his arms.
Good afternoon. sir" he said softly.
II have brought some stones for your
inspection"
ooh. all. yes" exclaimed; my wife
will be down in moment. and. mean
time. suppose | have look ut the
things. unfasten the parcel, If you
please"
He obeyed silently. Whilst he was
untying the string Basting walked into
the room and busted himself with some
imaginary work in order to account for
his presence. Directly the paper had
been removed from the jewel case. and
the glittering contents displayed "a
my view. took out tiny diamond
brooch and held 1t up to the light.
"Er-look here" | said. addressing
the youth; lust examine this brooch
Is not the stone badly set?'
He was all attention in a moment
| and Basting. having overheard the
preconccrted signal. crept up behind
him. pressed chloroformed handker
chief To his nose. and dragged him e
the ground. The young man struggled
helplessly for a few seconds. and ther
with heavy sigh became unconscious
Without moments delay l grabbed
the stones and placed them I'm th,
small bag. then told Basting {,
| quit the hotel and meet me outsid,
Charlng Cross Station. rs the sigh
of my supposed valet accompanying IN,
into the street might have create,
suspicion. He obeyed with n grin. an,
ten minutes later we both stood upol
the platform OF the big terminus await
ing the boat express 10 Folkestonc. Ar
irving at the latter port we journeye,
10 Boulogne. and next morning caugh
the first train TO the Dutch capital. Al
had worked thus far with the utmos
smoothncss. and no scheme in whic
I had taken part had ever occasione
me so little trouble and so much amusC
ment.
We breakfasted at the railway hotC
in Amsterdam. and then set out 70
Groby's den, situated in the east en-
of the city. Groby. though posscsse
Of an English name. had lived so lon
In Holland that he spoke our tongu
like foreigner, and when we entere