The Lambertville record., 1909-11-10
The Prefect
OF Police
A Story of q Stolen Neck
lace In Valparaiso
By GEORGE CATHERWOOD
Copyright 1875. by American Press
AssnciaiInn
By GEORGE cArHERWoOD
Copyright. 1875. by American Press
Association.

1t was on board the steamer Attain
tic. sailing from New York to South
America, that we first became ac-
Quainted with Jim oRorke. a young
fellow of twenty-five. who had just
enough blarney and brogue In his tuik
to be true TO his name. However. he
was an expert In his line and at the
time was on his way to Brazil to buy
diamonds for a New York firm.
Tom Hargraves and l 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 day and the cold nights
made the climate disagreeable. 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 aceommo-
dations at the Hotel I'asaJe, whose In
viting porches gave beautiful out
look over the buy.
Hargraves and put on cool white
suits. such as are worn in South Amer
lean countries, aud went down to the
late evening meal, the fashionable one
Of the day at Chilean hotels.
As a 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 smile.
Hello, fellowsr, he cried, shaking
hands cordially. Pm certainly glad
to find you here"
II thought you were IN the wilds of
Brazil" | 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.
MIR. 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 nj
| 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 a trip down the coast when
messenger appeared and handed him
a note.
II have little time of my own" said
the consul. rising. and. excusing him.
self, be 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 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 corner
table near the door. where a 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 elppnn Mt upckjac(
that encircled her throat and the large
diamond that formed Its central orna
ment- In moment we had passed on
and screen separated us from the
couple at the table.
Did you see that woman?' exciaim
ed Hargraves.
Yes" ] replied. "and her diamond
necklace"
Il got only glimpse OF IT,, said
ORorke. but 1t was beauty
we stopped in the doorway. ana as
waiter approached oRorke motioned
toward the screen ana asked, VINO Is
the iady az the nrst tapie!
Ihe servant replied ID broken Eng
iisn' Sehora Earcias' the owner oi
Tue iasaJe'
Anu the gentleman Aorhe pun
sueo.
ne wai.er 'ooheo surpriseu d. 'he
question. Ahe preIeet Oh poiiee' he
Our conversation must have reached
the ears of the couple In question. for
at that instant the uniformed prefect
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 a moment we stood speechless
O'Rorke. however, was equal to tho
occasion. and. initiating the bow Of the
prefect. he returned with equal flavor
"Not that | know Of"
The officer glared at us for an In
stant. then turned on his heel and dis
appeared behind the screen. We stared