The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-11-24

brought the rings to the largo center table
in the room adjoining his private
chambers and accidentally left them
there. in his anxiety to bs prompt in at
tending the functions arranged in his
honor.
Throughout his trip every visit and
| move Of the Prince and his suite has
been conducted on strict military prin-
c.ples OF discipline, and his punctuality in
these matters has been frequently COM
mented upon by his hosts.
RINGS MISSING WHEN
THE PRINCE RETURNS.
When he hurried out Of the apartments
the rings were left on the table, 1t is
thought They were missing when he re-
turned.
What makes the case still mora mys-
terious Is the fact that two japanese SOL
diers have been stationed In front OF the
Princes apartments since his arrival at
the Buckingham and in fact they have
stood at the Princes call during his en-
tire tour Of the country. These soldiers
are said to have been on duty at the
time OF tho reported disappearance Of the
Jewels.
Inquiry among the members Of the suite
and other prominent Japanese in this
city who were made acquainted with the
robbery failed to elicit the slightest In
formation Of any clews which they may
have. They are said to be completely at
sea How the thief effected an entrance
to the apartments OF the Prince in the
presence Of the guards Is most mystify-
ing.
When the theft was discovered by the
Prince on his return from the reception
at the home Of the Board Of Lady Man
ayers members Of his suite suggested that
he notify the Chief OF Police. but this he
refused to do. dreading the disagreeable
features connected with the notoriety Of
the deplorable incident and the presence
Of officers about his apartments. He.
however, It Is said. informed the manage
ment of the club regarding the disappear
ance of the rings and the decoration Of
the grand master of his household.
After a thorough search for the missing
property the management decided to place
the matter In the hands Of the Pinkerton
Agency.
The greatest secrecy and silence regard
ing the theft has been maintained by both
the club management and the members Of
the Princes suite. in tho hope tina. the
robber would be discovered or induced to
return the gems. Inquiries Of both parties
resulted IN evasive replies. Five Pinker-
ton detectives were about the club cor
ridors last night. They refused to admi.
or discuss the theft
MOST DARING THEFT
IN A LOCAL HOTEL
Since the bold robberies at the Jefferson
Hotel and others the police have been
vigilant and have rounded I'D |
several noted sneak thieves. This theft,
however. is probably the most noted and |
daring ever executed In a st. Louis hotel. |
Absolutely no ciew to the identity of the |
thief has been discovered and the officers |
are forced to rely on hints and suSges-
tons from guests OF the hotel and others. |
1t /, suggested that there was more |
than one sneak thief and that while one |
Of them. possibly q woman, engaged the
guard in conversation. the other quickly |
stepped into the room aad took the rings
and tho decoration. They could be easily |
seen from the outside OF the door, as II
Is stated the rings lay on the table in
the center OF the room Il would have
been the work OF only a second to seize
The gIitterins Jewels and escape without
the guard Witnessing the act. in case his
attention was distracted 70. a moment.
Another suggestion is that the thief
mpersonated an offlciai, and with the ex-
,use tha. something In the Princes suite
If rooms needed attention. induced the
mwary guard. unaccustomed to the
and tricks Of the American crook.
% allow him to enter. not knowing Of the