Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-08-28
NO. 40.

hand or the feet, and 1t was these that
had snapped when Kelly chung to the
artificial member on the carriage step.
On pulling one OF these wires Kelly
found that slot In 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. OF these
spurious gems they found dozen or
so, but no more genuine stones were
found Evidently the thief secreted
each stone Immediately.
1t was the most complete continuance
that Kelly had ever seen for any kind
of thiovery,
But Kelly was sore-sore I'm mind
and body he vowrd an unholy vow
in most unholy language that he would
have that one armed mans scalp inside
OF month at 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 a large jewelry
house In down east metropolis an old
lady In II 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 foot or so Of her there
stood a tall young man with black
mustache There was ruddy, healthy
color upon his face. He said with some
embarrassment that he was buying an
engagement ring. He bent over a tray
containing an assortment. The old la
dy was so close to him that she almost
touched him. t..
Suddenly she gripped him by the arm
and yelled to the clerk. "rhis mans a
thlefp she cried In shrill tones. "Close
the dOors"
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 We're
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 cutlery.
The old woman, however, was excit-
ed She pushed back her bonnet from
her face.
Hes got 'em" she exclaimed. Hes
got 'em In his arm. It's hollow. Make
him take 1t of. They're In there, | tell
you, and you'll find 'em."
a. Na1
feebly.
Gentlemen" he began, true II Ia
my misfortune to have but one arm,
and true that l wear II false one. but
did not take your Stones | assure you"
The old woman violently shook her
head. "You make him take OFF that
arm!' she commanded. tits 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 strap or two and
pulled Off tho arm. They gathered
round and examined 1t, especially the
old lady.
Ii was not hollow-nOt by long
shot. IL was an ordinary false arm,
made of solid cork.
When they were satisfied that 1t was
nothing else, the young man replaced
1t and donned his coat again.
Gentlemen" he continued, looking
hard ut the old woman, II am no mans
accuser or no womans either, but
these stones were missed when both of
us-the old lady and myself-stoOd
at this counter. There IL a bare posi-
bility," he continued, with grin, "a
bare possibility that she has the stones
herself. And II 1 am not mistaken
saw her put something in that bag
You might examine 1t II you WILL"
The bag In question was one which
hung at the old lady's side. They ex-
amined 1t, and they found oh, nothing
much, save the two missing diamond
rings; that's all.
Now, gentlemen" added the young
man, unless I am again mistaken this
OH IHuy IN nOt WHht bHt bttiub W No.
Let us investigate once more" He
reached over and deity pulled from
her head the bunker hat and an old
gray wig. There stood revealed the
grizzled cOuntenance OF Sneakers"
Kelly, the detective.
The clerks bounced upon him and
bore him to the station house, the near
est one There he was kept for two
days, until 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
80, however, he stepped up and said
word TO Kelly.
Kelly" he explained In low voice,
next time you must give fellow time
TO get new arm made. Arms OF my
pet brand don't grow on trees. You
know"