The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-22
A Diamond and Ruby Necklace
An Interes ing Story Of Its Supposed Theft
and How Ii Was Recovered

bOrhood had seen him. One man. the I'M
der-gardener at Brookville Priory, had even
been present during an interview between
mother and son. ON going nome TO the cot
tage after dusk. he had seen Rebecca,
whose face was well known TO every one
on the estate, standing by hNe-oarred
gate talking to a gOOd-looking young man
many years her junior. Mummery recog-
niZed him at once as Rebeccas son, and,
impelled by curiosity. waited a stone $
throw off! wondering what was up.
Neither mother nor son knew That any
one was listening, and the first words that
fell on Mummery's ears were the follow
ing:
help me il is all up. What does e1O0 mat
ter TO the rich like Tracy's? Why, my dear
little fOster-sister, Miss Evelyn, could get
it for me without the slightest dlihculty:
She has but TO ask the squire and the deed
is done.
These words were uttered very roughly
and in menacing tone, and the poor
woman could only sob bitterly in reply, and
finally declare that nothing would induce
her to trouble her darling. Miss Evelyn.
After that, the conversation continued IN
broken whispers; but Mummery heard the
two appointing a rendezvous for the follow
ing evening. His curiosity was much ex-
cited, and he made up his mind to caves
drop again. He then saw Mrs. HickSon
take parcel from her pocket and thrust it
into her sons hands.
There" she said. I'D rather die than
give it to YOU You don't know what this
y
Go away now at once. You darent sell II
here where it's known Go. you must, and
don't ever come back again This is the
most | can do for you.
at is enough" Jacob Hickson answered.
and then he kissed his mother and dis
appeared, crunching some fallen timber
under his feet as he walked away.
Before the next evening Mummery had
heard, had all the employees on the
estate. of the loss OF the diamond and ruby
necklace. He Immediately thought of Re
/ nd ne
not say anything about it until Lady
Esther appeared on the scene and offered
a substantial reward TO any one who would
i lead TO its recovery
Now Mummery was poor and in debt
himself, and the ESQ which he would GER
tainly receive from Lady Esther was toe
| she agreed with him, and the result was
| that the two appeared on certain morning
at Brookville Priory and asked for an In
f, terview with Lady Esther Selkirk and Mr.
| Tracy.
| Lady Esther was triumphant and ter
| ribly excited. Tracy was panied beyond
| words. But the imperious old lady had her
way. and that very night Rebecca Hickson
was lodged in prison to wait her trial before
| the magistrate.
The poor woman professed the utmost
| amazement and her absolute innocence
| but could not be got to say what she had
| given her son. For a long time she denied
that he was in the country. but ,d find Ing
| finally acknowledged that he had come
| home in great difficulties. and that she had
been forced to help him, but in what way
| she would not divulge.
| The whole. of this story was, of course
| repeated in court, and very black was the
| evidence against Rebecca Owing to a rush
| of small trials, hers came on very late In
! the day, and in consequence the judge
] could not deliver his charge TO the jury
until the following morning.
1t was Thursday of assize week when
| Rebecca Hickson's case came on, and that
| night the necklace was the talk of every
one at Tracys table. Sekirk, in particular
| was much excited, and took the part OF
| Rebecca Hickson in a very hot and almost
| Incorporate fashion.
My dear boy" said Lady Esther, ''your
| attitude is quite ridiculous. There isn't a
! doubt of the womans guilt. l do trust
| my lord she added. turning to Greenfield
that you will do your utmost to bring
the woman to confession. l must get that
necklace back"
81 greatly fear it has been broken up and