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

" lllldul was Ou0 OL tQ0 uISt W IcsaGA
his xife's room and with masculine
decision he soon restored quiet.
Whatever the fate of the gems, it must |
not disturb the harmony of the occa-
sion. Lady Hart recovered her SELF
possession quickly and heartily re-
GREETED having caused any agitation |
among her guests. The ball would |
have to proceed as though nothing
had happened. The music started, the
grand opening waltz began, and after
that Sir William quietly left his |
guests and got into telephone COM
munication with the London police au-
thOrities.
As the result of that, John Sweeney,
detective.inspector of Scotland Yard,
appeared on the scene.
Sir William joined him in the
library and the two men went over
all of the facts in the case. The
first order of the detective was that
no one should leave the house that
night-it was then about ten o'clock
without the permission of the host.
Sir William was inclined to demur at
this suggestion. He seemed to think
that it might reflect upon his hospital
ity. He was finally persuaded that
it was necessary, and two servants
were dispatched to give the gate
keepers the orders.
Detective Sweeney then inquired
about Lady Harris maid. She seemed
a natural object of suspicion. But it
soon appeared that the young woman
had complete alibi. 1t was proven
that she had gone to her room imme-
diately after being dismissed by her
mistress and being very tired had
thrown herself on her couch and had
slept soundly amid all the excitement
over the stolen jewels. Sir William
was asked to tell the detective all
he knew about the personality of his
guests. He did SO, protesting all the
while. His biographical sketches, for
the most part, were very f1attering.
There was one impecunious earl in
the party, it is true, who was no.
toriously pressed for money. It was
even limited that he had once been
detected in ungentlemanly practices
at cards. But when the detective
pressed the clew little too hard, Sir
William shut up like clam, saying
that of all things in the world there
was nothing for which he had greater
respect than genteel poverty.
Finally the servants were brought
in and crOss-questioned They ex-
hibited all sorts of queer mental traits
from gross stupidity to imbecile in.
dignation. The only testimony that
had the slightest value was given by
pert maid who said John Martin had
been seen In the corridor leading to
Lady Harris room about the time of
the robbery.
"Who is John Martini" quickly
queried the detective.
He is the valet and attendant of
Sir Archibald Hunter" replied the
host.
HE must be the mani"
Sir William smiled sarcastically.
There's only one flaw in that
theory"
"What is it?'
"Sir Archibald and his attendant
LETT yesterday. forgot to mention
that when we were going over the
list of the guests"
How can we prove that?'
1T don't have to be proven. It's
a fact. I accompanied Sir Archibald
to his carriage and saw him drive off,
and his man was with him.
That's too bad"
The host smiled
II think it's good-for Sir Archi.
bald's man.
After some further talk Sir Will
liam and the detective took a walk
about the premises and made an ex.
animation Of locks and bolts. They
strolled into the grounds and inter-
viewed the two gate.keepers. The
gate.keeper at the south entrance
said one Of the servants had brought
him message that no one was to be
permitted to leave the house that
night. The servant. whom he did not
recognize, then volunteered to stay on
guard until he-the south gate-keep.
er-should 60 and give similar in
structions to the gate-keeper at the
north entrance. He was gone but q
few minutes, but on his return the
servant was nowhere to be seen.
Detective Sweeney let out an ex.
clamation Of impotence.
whats the matter?" asked the
host.
This man had no right to leave his
post. Don't you see that 4 regiment
of thieves could escape while he was
away?"
But my dear SIR" replied Sir vii.
liam, don't you understand that the
servant remained here while the man
went to warn the other gate-kesper?"
And was gone when he returned"
"Oh." said the baronet, EARLY, Il
don't attach any significance to that
Simply the deronction Of . careless