Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-11-20
The Project
OF Police
A Story OF n Stolen Neck
lace In Valparaiso
BY GEORGE CATHERWOOD
Copyright. i9vy. by American Press
Association.


quainted with Jim O'Rorke, young
fellow OF twenty-five. who had just
enough barney and brogue In his talk
to be true 10 his name. However, he
was an expert In his line and ut the
time vas OH his way to Brazil to buy
diamonds for New York firm.
Tom Hargraves and | had planned
to spend the winter months In the
tropics. so when the steamer reached
Panama we said goodby, to our friend
O'Rorke and went ashore. but the tor
rid heat OF the dry and the cold nights
made the climate dlsagreeable. so we
soon went on southwark. and the fol-
lowing month we reached Chile.
Late one afternoon we arrived at
Valparaiso. the capital of the country
and city OF well kept streets and
many parks. but with such poor hotels
that we decided to go out to vina del
Mar, noted suburb and seaside re-
sort. Here we found good accommo-
dations ut the Hotel Pasaje. whose in
viting porches gave a beautiful out
look over the bay.
Hargraves and ! put on cool white
suits, such as are worn In South Amer
lean countries, and went down to the
late evening meal, the fashionable one
of the day at Chilean hotels.
AS q waiter bowed us TO table we
unexpectedly came on our old friend
O'Rorke. who was dining with another
American. When he caught sight Of
us his good natured Irish face broad
ened into q smile.
"Hello. fellowsr' he cried. shaking
hands cordially. Pm certainly glad
to find you here"
II thought you were In the wilds Of
Brazil" I said, laughing
IL was for awhile" he answered,
but I'm going home now. came
over to Valparaiso to see my friend
here. the consul" And, turning to his
companion at the table, who had risen.
he introduced US.
"Mr. Cuthbert, two friends of mine
from the States-Mr. Hargraves and
Mr.. Moore"
The consul greeted us heartily, and
the waiter arranged places for us at
the same table.
During the meal O'Rorke told us of
his travels In Brazil. and Hargraves
and | recounted our adventures In
Panama. The consul also proved very
entertaining and was In the midst of
describing trip down the coast when
n messenger appeared and handed him
note.
II have little time Of my own" said
the consul. rising. and. excusing him
self, he left the room.
Through nearby window the even
ing air came In with delightful COOL
ness after the heat of the day. and In
the gay surroundings the meal passed
happily. Here and there In the room
was a tourist from the States. but the
majority Of the tables were surround
ed by wealthy natives. and the chat
ter Of the Spanish language sounded
necessarily.
Many OF the women wore jewels.
and as we passed out our attention
was attracted especially to u corner
table near the door. where man In
uniform sat with one of the most beau
tiful Spanish women | had ever seen.
| think her beauty first attracted me.
though all noted the elegant necklace
that encircled her throat and the large
diamond that formed its central orna-
ment. In moment we had passed on.
and a screen separated us from the
couple at the table.
did you see that woman?" exclalm-
ed Hargraves.
"Yes." l replied. "and her diamond
necklace"
II got only a glimpse of It," said
O'Rorke. but 1t was beauty"
We stopped In the doorway. and as
a waiter approached O'Rorke motioned
toward the screen and asked, who Is
the lady at the first tablet"
The servant replied In broken Eng
fish. "Senora Garcias. the owner OF
the Pasaje."
And the gentleman OKorke pur-
sued.
The waiter looked surprised at the
question. 'srhe project OF police" he
said In an awed whisper.
Our conversation must have reached
the ears of the couple In question. for
at that instant the uniformed project
appeared around the edge of the screen.
and. bowling In sarcasm to O'Rorke. he
asked haughtily. Can ! be OF service
to the senor?" The tone was insulting.
and for moment we stood speeches..
O'Rorke, however. was equal to the
occasion. aud. initiating the bow of the
project. he returned with equal flavor.
mot that l know Of"
The officer glared at us for an in
slant. then turned on his heel and dis
appeared behind the screen. We stared
at each other nonplused. Finally Jim
burst out laughing, and we continued
our way TO the porch.
Soon the stars shone In clusters In