The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-06-24


discussing some question in which he
had but passing interest. '4ou say
that your Montalbon woman noticed
this NIolitaro when She sold her dia-
mouds. Later that both Were missing
from Paris. Tho woman turned up III
New York, but how do you prove that
Molitaire did not 80 toilet us say Rus
sia?"
"No, " said Mr.. Barnes, che did not
10 to Russia. Suppose that | should tell
you that | ferreted ont the fact that this
name Molitaire was but an alias, and
that the mans truo name was Montal-
bon? Then, when we remember that the
womau'S name had been cut from all
her garments, is that not Significant
This speech made a mild sensation,
but Mr. Thauret remained unmoyed,
He replied calmly:
"All things are gniticant--howd do
you interpret this fact, supposing that
you could prove it;'
"This Molitairc was really the dead
woman's husband, They quarreleG
many years ago, and she went to New
Orleans, where She kept gambling
house, having learned the trade from
him. When they met again in Paris,
she recognized him Then, when the
follow conceived the idea Of following
the jewels, It suited his purpose to eff
feet "a reconciliation SO that he might
uSo the woman as tool After the
murder it would be to his interest to
hide the name of Montalbon 10y cutting
out the marks on the womanS cloth
ing.
Pardon my pursuing the argument, "
said Mr. Thaurut, "but | find it enter
tanning. You surprise me, Mr. Barnes,
at the ready way i'll which you read
mems actions. Only are you sure you
are right; Suppose, for instance, that
the woman had cut out tho marks her
self long before at some time, when
She was using an alias, then your fact
would lose some Of its significance,
would it not? Circumstantial evidence
is SO difficult 70 read you seel Then,
having lost that link where do you
prove Molitaire or Muutalbon guilty:
Being the woman's husband is no crime
in itself.
"No, said Mr. Barnes, deciding that
tho time had come for an end Of the
controversy, being the woman's hus
band does not count in itself. But when
| procure in Paris the photograph Of
Molitairc, left by accident in his room
at his lodgings, and when ! recognize
that as the same man whom Mr., Mitch
81 suspected and trapped into stealing
the ruby, and when upon my return to
New York / find that ruby upon that
very man aud recover it, then we have
somo facts that do count y
"Yuu recovered the ruby said Mr.
Mitchell, amazed.
Hero it is, !" said Mr. Barnes, hand
ing it to Mr. Mitchell Mr.. Thaurct bit
his LIN, and by u strong ondeayor re.
tanned his self control
"Mr Barnes said Mr.. Mitchell 81
am sorry TO disappoint you, but this Is
not my ruby,
"Aro you sure;" asked tho detective
with twinkle in his eye.
"Ycs, though you deserve credit for,
though not the ruby, il is the stolen
stone. have II complete set OF dupli-
Gates Of my jewels, and in making my
little experiment | did not care to bait
my trap with SO valuable a gem /
therefore used the duplicate which Is
this. But how have yuu recovered it:'
II have been in New York for sever
al DAYS have devoted myself during
that time to a personal watch upon
Montalbon. Yesterday, to NY surprise,
he went to police headquarters and beg
gcd for permit TO inspect the stolen
Jewels, saying that through them hc
might throw some light upon the mys
terry. His request was granted Suspect
ing trcachory | subsequently obtained
a similar permit. and investigation with
the aid If an expert showed that the
bold scoundrol had handled the jewels
and So managed 20 change the imlta
ton stone which ho stole at the festival
for the real one in the set which figured
/ IN the train robbery.
"By Joyc, said Mr.. Mitchell, "ho Is
an artist. Then ! an indebted ~ you
| after all for recovering the stone: But
I tell US how did You accomplish ij2''
Il overheard Montalhon otcp say that
a wise thief would keep stolen article
anon his person, so that it could not be
I discovered without his knowledge
/ Therefore | felt certain that be would
/ himself adopt this method. When the
conversation this evening reached a
point where it was evident that all
/ would be disclosed, the man, who is
present, dropped the ruby into his glass
/ Of burgundy, where il would be out d
1 sight and easlvfccoyered or swallowed.
/ Later he attempted 20 dispose II Sc IN
this way, hut quickly drank his glass
Of wine. the ruby thus passing into my
mouth. And now, Mr. Montaibni
arrest vou in the name Of the law " say
ing which the detective put his hand
uron Mr.. Thauret's arm. Tie Other
guests jumped up. excited and expect
ing a scene To the establishment Of all
Thaurct remained qniet for a few mo
mcnts. and then, speaking slowly am
distinctly, said:
"tientlemeu, we have heard seveTa
stories here .might. Will YOU listen f.
mine and suspend Judgment fur few