New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-03

The hTSt one was a VlVldly COOred
picture of the Capitol at Washington
- 1t was postmarked, " Philadelphia
November u, ? 80 P. NJ Below
tle picture in a small copperplate hand were
these figures and symbols: I-2S-3S-4 X 47-3o-2
3. 2E-Io-S 65-5-S X 2o-S2-II 4o-2-ox"
The second post card was a picture of Park
Square. Boston, with the majestic figures OF
Lincoln ana the slave in the foreground. This
roo. was postmarked Philadelphia, but the date
Fas November 80. The symbols and figures
Fere unquestlonably written by the same hand
as those on the first: "II-I55-Io-o Y 2o5-2-S
: agree X 22S-2I-2 Y present tense X 235-IS-4
The third card was Colored reproduction
q an IdylllC BAYOU near New Orleans. Again
the postmark was Philadelphia, but the date
Vas November This card contained only
Ill-4I-I-o ISI-I5-Io Y press
Professor Augustus 5. T Y Van Dusen-
The Thinking Machine turned and twisted
the post cards IN his slender fingers while he
studied them through squirting, watery blue
eyes Al last he laid them on a table beside
hm. and sank back into his chair, with long
white fingers pressed tip 10 tip. He was in a
receptive mood
Well" he demanded abruptly
The bearded stranger who had offered the
cards for his scrutiny was gazing at the diminu-
.Ne figure and the drawn, petulant face OF the
scientist, seemingly in mingled wonder and
amusement. 1t was difficult for him to asso-
cate this grabbed little man with those achieve
-nents which had placed his name so high in
he sciences. After moment the visitor gaze
waVered q little and dropped
Ny name IS William c. Colgate he be
gan Sometime sinCe-four weeks and three
DAYS. 10 be eXaCt-a diamond was stolen from
my house IN this city, and no trace Of it has
ever been found 1t was one | bought uncut
IN South Africa five years ago. and its weight
5 about thirty carats When cut | imagine Il
VII be eighteen to twenty carats, and it IS as i
stands now, worth about forty thousand dol
lars You may have read something of the
theft IN the newspapers,
/ never read the newspapers. remarked
i he Thinking Machine
Well. in that event" and Colgate smiled
can briefly state the facts IN the case | have
several years had in my employment a secret
Charles Travers He Is about twenty-five years
Within the last Tour or five months | have motto
change IN his manner Where formerly he had |
quiet and unassumlng, he has, through evil assc
tons / dare say, grown 10 be a little wild, an
believe, has lived beyond his income. / took o
SION twice TO demonstrate with him. The first
he seemed contrte and Tepentant; the second
grew angry, and the following day disappea
The diamond went with him"
" Do You know that?' demanded The Thin1
Machine
81 know 1t as well as one may know anvthi1
replied Colgate positively. 4 doubt if any
except Travers knew where / kept the Jewel
tainly my servants did not, and certainly my
and two daughters did not Besides nv wife
daughters have been in Europe for two mon
The police seem TO be unable to learn anything
/ came to YOU"
ust where did you keep the jewell"
" In a drawer of my desk, was the reply. L
mately had intended to have it cut and Trese1
to my eldest daughter, possibly on the occasio
her marriage. Now" Colgate waved his hanc
The Thinking Machine sat silent for several !
utes. His squlnt eyes were turned steadily upV
and several tiny lines appeared in the dome
brow. The problem then seems to be merely
OF finding your secretary" he stated at last. 90
diamond IS of course so large that it would be alb
to attempt to dispose of it in its present sh
Travers IS an intelligent man; we shall give
credit for realizing this. And yet if it should be
up into smaller stones its value would dwindl
q tenth part Of what it is now. Under those
Curnstances, would he have it cut up?"
hat Oft