The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-04
THE PURSER'S CONFIDENCE
RY HuNTLEY MEYlrAN.


 It was spoken of as the slickest robbery ever preperated on a London Jewelry house Lady Stanton was lookink at a diamond tiara, and being waited on by one of the partners, when a gentleman lounged for ward. familIarly addressed her and picking it. The act was so audacious that he was given time to mix with the throng in the street, and get safely away.
 It was a Jewelry house that had never been robbed before and the decision was immediate to spare no expense to run the robber down. The case given to the police with a grand reward attached, and Scotland Yard put its best detectives at work Two or three private agencies took up the trail for the reward there was in it. and when clew seemed to lead to Par is French detective prepared to follow it. From some line of reasoning not made public. all the officers came to an agree ment that the rcbber was an American, and that he would seek to get away on the Blue Star liner Monarch. The press didn't say anything about trails. but four of the de- teotives followed their noses. at least, and secured passage on the Monarch. Had one of male passengers came to them half an hour before sailing and admitted that he was the robber and held out his hand for the bracelets, none of the four would have sailed As it was no one came forward and they felt 1t their duty to make the voyage to New York and keep an eye every fel- low-passenger They knew nothing of each others presence in official way. If any one of them was to give his confidence to any one the purser the man to unbos- om to. and it was not long before he had a call. It was a Scotland Yard man. He was wearing false side whiskers and was passing himself off as a retired English re- tail grocer who was making the trip to see his sister in New York. IT,:
 -a.- as the purser promised to respect his con- Ridence and assist him in any way he could ''There is a Frenchman aboard calling him. self Dubois. He speaks English passably well, and claims to be going over in the in- terests of the wine business but he isn't fooIlng Inspector Saunders little bit He's my man, or l don't know crook when I see one"
 ''The next burst of confidence came from Dubois. He identified himself as belonging to the Paris bureau and added:
 'Pistl IL easy enough. I picked him out from the three hundred passengers almost at a glance. He is an Englishman and claims to be a retired grocer, and I shall give him rope until we reach ouaran- tine on the other side. Should he suspect me and try to jump overheard hope I may have your assistance"
 MT Dubois was assured that the purser and all the other officers of the boat stood ready to lend justice all possible assistance. and he then made way for a detective from e private London agency. The man wore false stomach and a wig and used the Lan- eashire dialect. He introduced himself John Stone and asked for the purser's con- ndence at once.
 i've got him between my thumb and finger this way he said with a grin. The frail led me as straight a turnpike. l can't ask the Monarch to turn back of course. but I'll have the darhies the fel- low as soon we reach Sandy Hook Lord but 1t was dead easy' He calls himself by q French name and tries to disguise his English, but any child could spot him off. Help me to keep an eye on Dubois and there wfII be something in it for you"
 The purser smiled inwardy and gave his promise He thought there were others to ooms and he was not mistaken. Mr. Hi