The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-02-11
kIeptOmdniaCs.

copyright. 1908. BY r. c. McClure1
One day In the height of his career
Inspector Bourke OF Scotland Yard
was sent for by Bond street jewelry
house that had been robbed Of dia-
mond necklace worth many thousand
dollars. 1t was almost certain that
Lady Renfeld was the thief. On the
quiet she had been known for several
years as kleptomaniac. But for her
title they would have called 1t by
more ugly name she was the only
customer that had looked at the neck
lace that afternoon before It was found
to be missing. Lady Renfield had Just
returned from Paris when Bourke
made an excuse to call, There was TO
be fair for the benefit Of the poor,
and she was TO have a booth.
II SO happened that just at this mo-
ment Lord Renfield was In the hands
OF the Jews. He had gone into min
ing speculation and dropped $3.50. 600.
Let it once be known that scion of
nobility who is supposed to have bar
rels Of money to burn il hard up and
don't know which way to turn, and
his creditors come down on him like a
flock Of hungry wolves. aAsats.,g,.
Inspector Bourke under another name
and as one Of the officials OF the great
fair WINS received In the Iady's morn
ing room. He had posted himself on
the subject to be talked about. and he
talked intelllgently and Interestingly
for half an hour before bringing In his
casual and usual remark Lady Rem
field promptly and vigorously asserted
her innocence. He had been through
the same programme fifty times be-
fore, and he mildly replied that she
had three days In which TO give up the
necklace. After that time bad expired
he should feel at liberty to take some
other course. Lady Renfield thereupon
detied him and showed him the door.
In leaving he spoke of calling again.
He did call the very next morning,
though without the faintest hope of
being admitted. To his surprise. he
seemed to be expected, and as Lady
Renfleld came forward with extended
hand she said:
'sYou have come again about the
necklace. but must tell you what /
told You yesterday | know nothing
whatever about itr
Inspector Bourke's line was the sen.
timental and pathetic. It was for him
to draw q picture of one of the great
est ladies In England arrested and
scandallzed and placed in the felon's
dock. He asked her to imagine the
feelings of her friends and family, the
social ruin, the degradation of proud
family Tears came to the eyes of
Lady Renfield as he talked. but she
nevertheless insisted that she did not
take the necklace.
Then the Inspector took the line of
bluster, 1t wasn't vulgar buster but
genteel bluster. He must go TO some Of
her friends. even to her husband. He
must get them TO make her see her
position. The jewelry firm wanted no
publicity. but was determined to have
the necklace back or It's equivalent in
cash. Lady Renfield answered his i
covert threats by words OF defiance.
Her husband was In the house. and
she threatened to call him IN and have
her visitor thrown out rs black.
mailer She would welcome any sort
II suit and prove her innocence. The
Inspector left her with the observation
that be would make a third call in |
hopes to find her IN more c0ntrite
mood. He was again admitted. he
vent over the case with her to show
her how convincing the evidence was
against her, but she only smiled con
Then be played his
last card before proceeding to extreme
measures. He sstOnished her by CIV !