Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05

The man drew back.

The man drew back
How did you know" he began. Then
changing his manner to one of defiance.
he cried: My names not Martin"
oh, yes; it is was the cheerful re-
Well was the logged response,
what do you want?'
Il want Lady Harris gems" snapped
the detective.
The fellows face became ashen and he
started to retreat. But it was too late.
In trice the detective had slipped a
pair of handouts upon his slender wrists.
That night John Martin was behind
prison bars and Lady Harris precious
gems had been restored to her.
There was no possible doubt about his
quit. The maid servant who had almost
cried her eyes out at the mere thought
that she might he suspected was delight
ed with the return of the jewels. Lord
Mortimer never even knew he was
suspect The impecunious nobleman was
not in his room, il Is true. but he was
located later in the night calmly sleep
ing under the billiard tahle-a condition
induced by heavy meal and an over
abundance of champagne.
~
John Martin proved to be a profession
al thief On numerous occasions he had
acted as an extra servant at house
parties. Forged references and a month
of faithful service enabled him to get a
position with Sir Archibald Hunter, who
was the respected younger son of an arls-
tocratic but not particular wealthy fam
lily. In due course of time he formed one
OF the Inhabitants of Sir William Harris
house in the name and capacity of John
Martin, valet and attendant TO his mas
ter Sir Archibald. Martin had i'm
pressed his master with his KNOWLEDGE
OF amateur fire brigade work. and on
more than one occasion gave an exhibi-
ton of this accomplishment by drilling
the servants in various phases of fire ex-
tlngu1shlng operations. On his arrival
at Sir Williams house Sir Archibald in
troduced the subject of fire in the gem
eral conversation at dinner and Sir Will
liam had to admit that for so large a
house as his he feared the fire precautions
were far from perfect. 1t was the most
natural thing in the world for Sir Archi-
bald to place Martins services at Sir Wi-
liams disposal,
Martin made a great show of instruct
ing the servants, but his sole object was
TO become intimately acquainted with the
geography of the house. Under the guise
OF carefully examining possible exits in
case of fire. OF arranging where MIGRANTS
should be stationed inspecting the WIN
dowS, doors and staircases and the gem
eral structure of the house Martin was
NOT only able to get an accurate idea of
Where the various rooms were situated
but he became acquainted also with many
points of detail important TO his con-
templated enterprise. He was also able
to take impressions of locks and tanner
with bolts during the course OF his in
yestigation.
He left Sir Williams house with his
master on the night before the con-
ciusion of the house party SO that his
abb in that connection was secure
enough, but he made it point to re-
turn on the following night. Being
We'll known to all of the servants he
met with no obstacle and actually found
his way to the corridor of the second
story leading to Lady Harris room. He
mad not thought of robbery at that
particular moment. but the sight of
Lady Hart leaving her room and the
Jewels lying exposed on the dressing
tapIe proved too strong a temptation
Tor his ayaricious nature. He quickly
slipped in. put the jewels in his pock-
cts, and then calmly mingled with the
other servants. Later on he Was the
man who went out to the gatekeeper
and instructed him not to permit any
one 10 leave the house that night. and
after sending the man on n FOOLS err
rand, he coolly marched out of the
grounds. He took the first train to
the London suburb and hoped by the
next day to be able to dispose of his
loot. His one mistake was in aausinr,
in the servants hall long enough to
drink the ale out of dirty glass. The
Impress of his fingers on the glass and
on the cab door at the suburban station
proved to be his undong ard fur@ished
food for contemplation in the long term
of penal servitude to which ne was
sentenced
Next week: "Vidocu and the Lock-
smiths Daughter.'D