The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-08
TIE EVENING STORY
Nc Pnrser,s Conndence.

- - 49, Nv
elry house. Lady Stanton was looking
at q diamond tiara, and being waited
on by one OF the partners, when a gen.
teman lounged forward, Familiarity ad-
dressed her and picking up the tiara.
walked out OF the store with II. h
act was so audacious that he was given
time to mix with the throng in the
street n 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 robher down. The case was
given to the police with a grand reward
attached. n Scotland Yard put it's
best detectives at work. Two or three
private agencies took up the trail for
the reward there was in 1t, and when a
clew seemed to lead to Paris a French
detective prepared to follow it. From
some line Of reasoning not made public,
all the officers came to ar agreement
that the rObber was an American, and
that he woul seek to get away on the
Blu Star liner Monarch. The press
didn't say anything about trails, but
four of the detectives followed their
noses, at least, and secured passage on
the Monarch. Had n Of the male
passengers come to them half an hour
before sailing and admitted that he
was the robber and held out his hands
for the bracelets, none of the four would
ave sailed. AS it was no one came
forward and they felt it a duty to make
the voyage to New York and keep an
eye on every fellow-passenger. They
knew nothing of each others presence
in an official way. If n one Of them
was to give his confidence to any one
the puFser was the man to unbosom TO,
and 1t was not long before he had a
call. It was a Scotland Yard man. he
was wearing false sidewhiskers and
passing himself off as a retired English
retail roc who was Xxi the trip
Ia see his sister in New York.
Il think l have a clew already he
said, as the purser promised to respect
his confidence and assist him IN any
way he could. There is a Frenchman
aboard calling himself Dubois He
speaks English passably well, and
claims to be going over in the interest,"
of the wine business, but he isn't fool
ing Inspector Saunders a little bit. He's
my man, or I dOn't know a crook When
I see one"
The next burst of confidence came
from Dubois. He identified himself as
belonging to the Paris bureau and ad-
"Pisti 1t was easy enough. I picked
him out from the 300 passengers almost
at a glance. He is an E-nglishman anu
claims to be a retired grocer, and 1
shall give him rope until we reach
quarantine on the other side. Should
he suspect me and try to jump over
board 1 hope I may have your assist
ance."
Nj. Dubois was assured that the
Durser and all the other officers of the
boat stood ready to lend Justice all pos
sible assistance, and he then made way
for a detective from a private London
agency. The man wore a false stomach
and a wig and used the Lancashire
dialect. ne introduced himself as John
Stone. and asked for the purser's con-
hdence at once.
i've got him right between my
thumb and finger; this way he sala
with a grin. THE trail lead me as
straight as a turnpike. I can't ask the
Monarch to turn back, Of course, but
I'll have the darbies on the fellow as
soon as we sight Sandy Hook. Lord.
but it was dead easy. He calls himself
by a French name and tries to disguise
his English. but any child could -spor
him on. Help me to keep an eye on
Dubois and there VIII be something III
The purser smiled inwardly ana gave
his promise. He thought there were
others to come, and he was not mis-
taken. Mr.. Hiram Wilkinson next in
vate Liverpool agency. He had a wig
and goggles and vas trying to talk
through his nose and be taken for a
New Highlander. He felt that he had
come to the right party In coming to
the purser, and he didn't shut his mouth
until his secret was out.
TITS the Teller as calls hisself Stone, ,"
he whispered Il spotted him The in
SLdnL he came up llt 5dIk-Uldnk, DuL 4
dasn't tackle him on sight. I am max
ing the voyage to play my fish. III bet
pounds to shillings I max him trap
himself in less than three days. He
claims to have a brother in the butch
err business at Albany, but OF course
that's all IN you eye,
You think he's the man - queried
the purser in an absent way as he be-
gan to see the humorous side of the
situation.
SAY. now. take a good long look at
him yourself. He looks the thief from
head to heel. Haven't you noticed his
ne~rvousness2 He's afraid he's been
followed. He'll make a fight for it
when We sight the American coast, but
III have the irons on him before he can
say Jack Robinson, Mum is the word,
and you will get your whack of the
reward"
to ask the purser for his confidence and
assistance, but after a day or two Mr..
Abijah Ahsafom Barnes, as he CAV his
name. asked the official to take charge
Of a package for him.
"It's only some grimcracks I've been
buying abroad" he explained. but
Martha and the children VIII be looking
for presents when I get home. That
Yurup is a great country, but / hain't
seen no spot like old New Hampshire
since I went away. Ever get up that
far?"
Il never have replied the purser
as he wondered how Uncle Abijah had
escaped the pitfalls that must have
been set for his feet.
If you eve nave a nance come up
and stay with me for a week and it
shan't cost you a red cent. If you've
got a wife and children bring EN-
along. If you could come in the win
ter I'd take you to half a dozen spelling
schools and we'd slide down hills on
hand sleds. I own a hill over a mile
long, and my old woman can make
buckwheat cakes to beat the band.
Say. now, is there any danger of n
one stealing my package from you2"
Not the slightest
Because there are some suspicious
characters aboard. I've run across four
different men that I wouldn't trust TO