The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1903-06-24

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"a WIRES ran from the nand All the way
through the arm. These wires evil
IDENTITY We're controlled by the other
hand or the feet, and it 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 ii. 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 contrivance
that Kelly had ever seen for any kind
of thievery.
But Kelly was sore sore In mind
and body. He vowed an unhoiy 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 n large Jewelry
| house In II down east metropolis an old
lady In Quaker bonnet stood and adj
justed 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 II foot or so of her there
stood tall young man with n black
mustache. There was rudy, healthy
color upon his face. lie said with some
embarrassment that he was buying an
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 n
thiefw she cried In shrlll 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 da-
monds. Sure enough, two rings were
missing None. however, had been sub
stituted In their stead.
The young man uttered not word.
He only looked surprised. He had made
no resistance and no cutlery.
The old woman, however. was cxeit-
ed She pushed back her bonnet from
her face.
Hes got EN-" 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 EN-"
The young man smiled. but protested
feebly.
Gentlemen" he began, true 1t Is
my misfortune to have but one arm,
and true that | 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. ITS the great-
est thing you ever saw. It's hollow.
and it's got your diamonds In It. Make
him take II Off"
The young man looked around upon
the faces; then he smiled again. Here,
he replied there's but one way 10
prove my innocence"
He removed his coat, rolled up his
| pulled of the urn They gathered
round and examined 1t. especially the
old lady.
II was not hollow not by long
shot. II was an ordinary false arm.
made of solid cork
When they were satisfied TINT II WAS
nothing else, the young man replaced
II and donned his coat again.
"Gcntlcmen," he continued, looking
hard ut 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
ut this counter. There IL bare posi-
bllity." he continued, with n grin, "a
bare possibility that she has the stones
herself, And II | am not mistaken |
saw her put something In TINT bag,
You might examine II If you Will"
The bag In question WIS one which
hung at the old lndy's side. They eX-
amined 1t, and they found oh, nothing
much, snve 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 he.
| Let us investigate once more" lie
reached over and dcftly pulled from
| her head the Quaker hat and an old
| gray Wig There stood revealed the
| grizzled countcnance of Sneakers"
| Kelly, the detective.
The clerks bounced upon him ana
bore hiIn to the sutton house, the near
est OF 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
so, however he stepped up and said n
word to Kelly.
Kelly" he explained in n low voice,
next time you must give fellow time
| TO get a new arm made. Arms Of my
pet brand don't grow on trees, you
know"
And then he went.
She sim Lecturea.
Il "a. I'm IN