New-York tribune., 1906-10-21
Case of Theft

room ltSelt. lie unndde the bed closely eIt OF
and scrutinzed the mattress sheets, blankets
pillows, and Coverlet. He took the three drawers
from the dressing cabinet and looked behind them
He came upon dozen English newspapers and
shook them one by one He peered into the water
pitcher and fumbled around the plumbing in the
tiny bath room adjoining. He examined the carpet
and finally climbed on chair, and from this elevated
position looked tor a crack or crevce where neck
lace or unset pearls could be hidden.
There are still three possibilities" he told him
self at the end he carefully restored the room to
its previous condition. He might have left them
in package in the ships safe, but that's mprob-
able; he might have left them in a trunk in the hold
which is still more improbable; or he might have
them on his person. That is more than likely
So Conway went out eXtnguishing the light and
locking the door behind him. He stepped into his
state room moment and took mouthful of
whisky which he spat out again But it must have
had some deep potent effect, for a few minutes later
when he appeared in the smoking room he was in a
lamentable of intoXiCatiOn, and eXhaled
whisky noticeably.
1t may have been only accident that Conway
stumbled over Leighton's feet and noted that he
wore fiat soled. loose slippers without heels and
also accident that he embraced him with exagger-
ated affection as he struggled to himself.
Be those things as they may, Leighton excused
himself good naturedly from the bridge party and
urged Conway to bed. Conway would agree only
condition that Leighton would assist him
Leighton consented checrfuly, and they left the
. smoking room together. Half way down the deck
D Conway stumbled and fell despite the friendly sup
porting arm. and in his effort to save himself his
hands Slid all the way down Leighton's shapey
Leighton returned to his cards, smiling.
And he hasn't got them on him." declared Con-
way enigmatcally to the bare walls. He was not
intoxicated now.
1t was an easy matter next day for him to learn
that Leighton had left nothing in the ships safe
and that his four trunks in the hold inaCCessi
ble being buried under hundreds of others. Where
upon, Conway sat down to wait and learn what new
and original methods of searching Uncle Sans Gus
toms officers had invented.
At last came a morning when the wireless tele-
aboard q shore
and announced that the ROmanc less than
hundred miles from Boston light Later Conway
found Leighton leaning on the rail, smoking and
gazing shOreWard
1t was three hours or so after that that several
passengers noticed a motor boat coming toward
them. Leighton watched it with idle interest
Finally it CirCled widely and it became apparent
that it was coming alongside the now slow moving
liner. When it was only hundred feet off and the
liner was barely creeping along Leighton grew sud-
denly Interested
BY Jove" he exclaimed, then shouted Hello,
Harry!
Hello, Leighton!" came an answering shout
Heard you aboard and came out to meet YOU" ="
There was a rapid fire of unintereStng pleas
antres the boat slid in under the Romantic S
lee and bobbed up and down in her wash. The
man aboard stood up with package of newspapers
in his hands
Here are some American papers for YOU" he
called.
He flung the bundle, and Leighton caught it. left
the rail, and passed into his state room. He re-
turned after a moment with bundle of European
papers, those Conway had previously seen,
Catch" he called. "There's something in
these that will interest YOU
The in the small boat caught the package
and dropped it CareleSSlY a seat.
Then suddenly Conway aWOke. There goes the
necklace!" he told himself with start. quick
grasping movement of his hands attracted Leigh
tons attention, and he smiled inscrutably darngly.
into the blazing eyes OF the Scotland Yard man.
The motor boat, with parting shout OF I'll meet
you on the wharf, sped away.
Thoughts began to flow rapidly through Con-