The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-28

When the vehicle finally stopped he
only saw that the house. which stood
alone had a respectable exterior, and
he followed Saunders up the steps and
was admitted. They were greeted by
the wealthy manufacturer himself who
was introduced as a Mr.. Harmon. ana
they at once proceeded to the library to
talk business. No servant or any mem.
Der of the family was TO be seen. There
was some general talk as they lighted
cigars, and then Mr.. Harmon said:
MIR. Taylor, 1 am sorry to have
troubled you to make this long ride,
but could rot very well come to YOU
and carry out my plans The idea Is
20 rob you of your gems. That was
the plan from the day Saunders en-
tered the store in New York, and 4 IS
needless to say we have spent co-'sid-
cradle time and money up to date.
You seem inclined to 5oke.' replied
Taylor. as he looked from one to the
other in a puzzled way.
But you will find this no joke" said
the man, as he pulled a pistol from his
pocket and rested it on his knee. You
have a belt containing lot of valu
able gems strapped around your waist.
Will you quietly hand it over, or shall
we take possession of it after your
dealt? %
Look here. man." exclaimed the
salesman. as he started up. but what
sort of a game is this? Is it a Joke to
test my nerve, or do you really mean
robberv?"
It's just this. my dear brother"
answered Saunders, as he also pro-
duced a revolver, Il brought you here
to be robbed. You are a good fellow,
and I don't want to see you hurt, but
we must have those gems. You are
not armed and have no chance against
us. This house was hired on purpose
to receive you and carry through the
job. You see we are two to one a.-6
have all the advantage, and 1 do hope
you VIII look at it in sensible wav-"
TAYLOR had lots of nerve and pluck,
ana TOT a few moments he def1ed the
fellows. Fe was. however. soon made
to realize that they were desnerate
rascals. and as they were on the point
or assaulting him he announced that
he would surrender the gems.
THAT is good common sense'' said
Saunders, as he received it. THE loss
does not fall upon you, but upon the
house. which is we'll able to stand it.
NOW. please be as sensible about the
next move. We have got your gems.
but We need at least twentv-four
hours start. We shall lock YOU up in
a closet and provide you with food.
water and cigars. and by this time to-
morrow evening a man will come and
set you free.
Taylor protested and threatenei but
IN the end he entered a closet off the
back parlor and was locked in Ten
minutes later he was alone in the
house. They left him a pitcher OF
water, a good luncheon, and a dozen
GIRdTS.
AS soon as he was satisfied that thew
had departed he began work on one Of
the panels of the door with his pocket
knife. 1t was a solid. hardwood affair
and it was hours before he sufficiently
weakened the panel so that he could
kick it out and squeeze through. 1t was
Just growing daylight when he left the
house by a window. and he found him
self a good four miles from his hotel
Before leaving the place he looked
M ~ only he hllI
parlor of the house had been furnished
and ve-y poorly at that.
Mr. Taylor did not have a talk with
the first policeman he met. and neither
did he call at the nearest police station
and relate his sensational adventure
He drove straight back to his hotel
handed the clerk a package to put If
the office safe, and then rubbed his
hands and smiled and chuckled and
went to bed and slept all the rest or
the day.
It is not for me to give away thu
secrets of the business, but 1 must tel.
$eu that Mr.. Taylor was no soft snap.
While he had no suspicious of Mr..
Saunders or his friend until too late,
he had played the game that all dia-
mona statesmen are up to. That is, he
was provided with a full stock of false
gems. These were in a belt around
him as he left the hotel. while the real
gems were in a chamois bag in his
GOat tail pocket. A search would
have brought them to light, OF course
but no search was made.
Mr.. Saunders may or may not have