The Washington times., 1906-09-09
THE CASE OF DICKSONS DIAMONDS

which. II he could invent a plausibls
robbery. he could subsequently, real,
lzs"
surely: BUT how did he accomplish
ltg"
'Tt was quite plain 10 me. lie EN-
lloved no help, hence ne easily con-
t-ived TO JrjI and charge the safe
without being observed. Nexr hs
planned his day away. and what
should occur during his absence. which
would free him Of subsequent sus-
pioion Ordinarily. a man could not
blow oper a safe from which he is
miles away Dicks0n's 3 chief difficulty
lay fn firing tho fuse a. a certain time.
Ye- ne accomplished IL iu a most Origi-
nsI and r6aIle way
How SOP"
''He uSed his reading glass. Jimmie,
which be 50 placed on the sill Of The
rear window. that IL received the beam
Of sunlight through the round hole IN
the iron shatrer. and focused the rays
al a certain point on the floor. The in-
tense heat M the focal point was suf-
fcient not only. to ignite the end OF
the fuse. but even 70 slightly s-orch
which ! showed YOU gave me my cleW
10 the mystery
In what waye.'
The susi. as YOU know, devlates
very slightly tn its course each day.
The day before the trick was 10 De
turned, Dickson experimental with his
lens ta determine the precise spot on
which rue suns rays would focus at a
certain time. Iu SO doing, one OF the
Tiny scarclcd curves was inscribed on
ga. floor. as thc intense focal point fol-
lowed the motion Of the sun. Next day.
however. the sun was a little higher
in the heavens. and the corresponding
curved line came parallel. and just the
least bit removed from the other. but
near enough 20 fire the fuse Dickson
had left for iJ in his closed store, jim
mle2"
by J0ve Felix, you're wonder
Not at ALL" laughed Boyd. You
saw as much as did. only you did not
see through it,
Plainly not
Dickson had so carefully planned
all this" continued BOYD. that the
reading glass would fall over upon the
sill with any jar. and the explosion
was sufficient for that. Further con-
vlacing me that NY theory was cor
rect the aperture in the shutter was
musuIly low. nearly at the SILL con
dltion necessary fov one wishing 20
look in, the rear yard being consider
ably below the window. So ! put this
and that toge her, Jimmie. and felt
sure Of nv man"
And then. Felix"
Then / required absolute proofs.
Jimmie. since theorists do not always
ImpT, ss iuries. responded Boyd The
fact that Dickson had gone 70 his
shore house after r.iinE his safe be-
fore exploding il. led me 10 think that
ne might conceal the diamonds in that
locality. So J slipped down there early
next morning. and Investigated his sta
HE. I did not find the diamonds 5ut
found the co-uivance for firing the
stable"
"T sec"
Dickson evidently Intended TO give
the impression that ne had secret foes,
who we're maIicious;v prosecuting him.
and thus arouse public sympathy and
that of MS foreign cons ignees. 80 he
planned also to burn his own stable ib
such a way as 10 eyade personal sus-
p.cion- The candle was burning when
got there and was stil good foi
several noUrs before reaching t}5~ loose
hay. or course. ! eXtinguisned it. and
AZ once decided that. when his scheme
failed. Dickson would again attempt
it. } was not mistaken. for he came
promptly 20 tine"
Coleman smiled and nodded
-Eut his violent death, and the thres
men Uho murdered him. he cried. in
uuirinEIy who We're they?''
An. jimmie. there is where the shoe
pirchey." said Boyd. Eravely. "it nov
(Con ,Inued on Eighth PaEeD