The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1909-02-04
Kleptomdniacs.

lco,yrtsht 1soe by T. c. AoCure.l
One day IN the height Of his career
INSPECTOR Bourke Of Scotland Yard
was sent for by Bond street jewelry
hose that had been robbed Of dia.
mond necklace worth many thousand
dollars. 1t was almost certain that
Lady Renfield was the thief. On the
quiet she had been known for several
years as a kleptomaniac. But for her
title they would have called 1t by a
more ugly name. She was the only
customer that had looked at the neck
lace that afternoon before it was found
20 be missing. Lady Renfield ksd just
returned from Paris when Bourke
made an excuse to call. There was to
be a fair for the benefit Of the poor,
and she was to have q booth.
It 30 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 @250.000.
Let It once be known that scion Of
nobility who is supposed to have bar
rels Of money to burn is hard up and
don't know which way to turn, and
his creditors come down on him like a
aock of hungry wolves.
Inspector Bourke under another name
and as one Of the officials Of the great
fair was received in the lady's morn
ing room. He had posted himself on
the subject to be talked about, and ho
talked intelligently and Interestingly
for half an hour before bringing IN his
casual and usual remark. Lady Rem.
deld 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 had expired
he should feel at liberty to take some
other course. Lady Renfleld thereupop
defied 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
Renfield came forward with extended
hand she said:
"You have come again about the
necklace, but l must tell you what ]
told you yesterday. 7 know nothing
whatever about it."
Inspector Bourkes line was the sen
hmental and pathetic. 1t was for him
to draw a picture Of one Of the great
est ladies' in England arrested and
scandalized and placed in the felon's
dock. he asked her to imagine tho
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
buster. It wasn't vulgar bluster. but
rented buster. He must 60 to some Of
her friends, even to her husband. He
must get them to make her see her
position. The jewelry firm wanted nc
publicity, but was determined to have
the necklace back or its equivalent in
rash. Lady Renheld answered his
covert threats by words Of defiance.
Her husband was In the house, and
- threatened to call him In and have
Or visitor thrown out as black
mailer. She would welcome any sort
sf suit and prove her innocence. The
Inspector left her with the observation
that he would make third call IN
hopes to find her in q more contrite
mood. he was again admitted. He
went over the case With her to show
her how convincing the evidence was
against her. but abe only smiled con-
temptuously. Then he played his
last card before proceeding to extreme
measures He astonished her BY CIV
ing her facts about her husbands Pc
cuniary difficulties. She had received
no hint Of them. and she would not
believe until the inspector had laid in
contestible proofs before her. Arrest
and trial had no terrors for her, but
public gossip about the family finances
fairfield her. The caller saw that be
had made an impression, and he bore
Gown a. heavily as possible, and at
length Lady Renneld gave way and
sa3d:
II win lie to you no lenSsf. II you
WI promise mo that not breath Of
this gets out Vim give up the neck.
lace"
The promise was instantly 1pads, and
he woman made for her boudotR ana
ooon returned with the ornament She
vas fearful and Inundated. and thu
Inspector sought to make It a. easy
Or her az possible. She pleaded klep~
eomania, - they ill do, and va -
sured that hundreds Of great la6)0s
I'D tho ailment and were tAQQeht
xone the worse Of. The would b. wei
soaned 1t the store % before, and %
Sohalf Of the nrm hs hoped foe cab
ct an early date. She fuEnishsd .
blush case for the necklace and bowso
he inspector out
There is no other man like yen =
England" said the head Of the drn
- the plush case was put into ~
hands.
II do my duty to the best Of my aba.
~ 80 600 thA R>v<Iv ~