Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-08-05

John Sweeney, for many years an in
spector-detective at Scotland Yard, long
ago won reputation on both sides Of the
Atlantic. He became connected with the
English police when quite young and
soon earned transfer to the Bureau Of
Criminal Investigation which is better
known to the American public as "Scot-
land Yard" The case of the Hart gems
to Which he was assigned Is given here
with more as an example of the methods
pursued by English detectives than as
specimen of Inspector Sweeney's indi-
V1dual skill. The name of the nobleman
has been disguised and some permissible
license taken with the construction of the
story. but the main facts, though pre-
scented in composite form, are true, and
demonstrate that Sherlock Holmes has
his prototypes in real life among the pro-
fessional police of Great Brittany
Sir William and Lan5 Hart had the
reputation of being the most hospit-
able pair in all of Great Britain-and
that is saying good deal. They had
Z beautiful country seat just outside
II London where they entertained on
a palatial scale. House parties were
OF frequent occurrence, and the guests
on such occasions included the best
people in England. Titles were the
rule and coronets were very much
In evidence. Sir William was the
ruling spirit and his constant desire
was to make everyone happy. During
the day outdoor sports had prece-
dence, but in the evening there was
music and cards in the handsome
drawing-rooms, with the noble host
acting as master of the revels.
On the occasion to which the pres
ent story refers Sir William and Lady
Hart gave a particularly elaborate af-
fair. 1t was a seven-day house party
concluding with brilliant ball. There
were some 40 guests in all, and four
Of them at least were related to the
royal family. Probably eight or ten
OF the gentlemen were accompanied
by their personal Wallets and nearly all
of the ladies were attended by their
own maids. Such were the charac-
tiers and such was the lavish manner
in which the exceptional entertain
ment was planned. The seven days
programme was carried out without a
hitch. On the first day there was q
polo game in which the guests who
had brought their own smart ponies
participated. On each succeeding day
there was some different form of en-.
tertainment
On the evening of the final day-it
must have been a Friday-there was
a great ado over the preparations for
the ball. No one was more excited
than Lady Hart herself. And we'll
might she be, for on that occasion she
was to wear for the first time mag.
nificent creation from Paris. Be.
sides, she was to deck herself out in
the Hart gems. Anyone who has ever
had the pleasure of seeing these rare
old family heirlooms need not be told
that they are both unique and costly
My lady had been busily engaged in
her boudoir with her maid for over
an hour. She was all ready for the
ball. Everything was in place ex
cept the gems-they lay on the dress
ing table ready to be fastened in
Lady Harris corsage. The clock on
the mantel pealed out seven silvery
strokes. Lady Hart looked at her
maid She was a compassionate WON
an. She said:
my child, you look thoroughly ex
hausted. I'm through with you fol
the present. l can attach the jewels
to my dress without your aid. Go tc
your room and rest and report to me
again at midnight"
The girl thanked her mistress and
left the room. Lady Hart gave q
final survey of herself in the lone
pier mirror. 1t was satisfactory. Blu,
the feminine desire to get the judg
ment of some one else took posses
sion of her mind. She picked up the
Jewels and was about to put them on
The large one was magnificently beau
tiful. 1t was a great ruby sur
mounted with a glittering framework
Of the purest diamonds. Two others
in the forms of crescents, were pure
pearls. Altogether they represented
a modest fortune. Lady Hart hest
tated for a moment. She wanted tt
know what another woman woult
"
minus the prestige which would be
given it by the famous gems. Lad,
Sutherland, her special friend, was
near by in a room on the other side
of the corridor. She laid the jewels
on the dressing-table and tripped on1
of the room. She was gone Tess thar
five minutes
Lady Sutherland was in rapture:
over the new gown. It would surely
make sensation. Lady Hart, de
lighted, returned to her room. Sht
went in and closed the door. The
next moment everyone in the vicfn
ity was startled by series of piercing
screams. Several ladies rushed tt
the room of the hostess. She ex
Stained the cause of her agitation II
a few disjointed sentences:
The Hart gems were gone!
1t would be difficult to depict the ex
Atement of the next few minutes. 81,