The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-09-13

ON examination OF the tray tOund that
three spurious stones had been substi-
tuted In their place.
Kelly aud the clerk examined the
arm It was made largely Of wood.
but with a hollow iron chamber below
the elbow and a hollow hund A series
Of wires ran from the hand all the
way through che arm. These wires
evidently were controlled BY the other
hand on the feet. and II was these that
had snapped when Kelly chung TO the
artificial member on the carriage step.
On pulling one OF these wires Kelly
found that a slot IN the hand opened
anil closed. thus scooping up whatever
lay beneath t. On pulling another he
found that II would release one. two
or more spurious gems IN place Of the
purloined genuine stones. or these
spurious gems they found dozen or
so, but no more genuine stones were
found Evidently the thief secreted
each stone Immediately
II was the most complete contriy-
ance that Kelly had ever seen for any
kind Of thievery.
But Kelly was sore-sore in mind
and body He vowed an unholy vow
in most unholy language that he would
have that one armed mans scalp in
side Of a month at the outside He
was not satisfied with the mans arm.
He wanted more. Kelly was one OF
those people who are never satisfied.
Two weeks later IN a large jewery
house in down east metropolis an old
lady in a Quaker bonnet stood and adj
justed her spectacles and examined
some diamond earrings She was
plainly but richly dressed Her real
name was Sneakers Kelly
Contrasting with this aged woman
and within foot Or so OF her there
stood tall young man with a black
mustache. There was a rudy, healthy
color upon his face. He said. with
some embarrassment, that be was buy
ing an engagement ring He bent over
tray containing an assortment The
old lady was 50 close to him that she
almost touched him.
Suddenly she gripped him by the
arm ana yelled 10 the clerk "Thls
mans a thiefw she cried IN shrill
tones. "Close the doorsF
The clerk hastily drew back the tray
OF rings. Several other men ran MP.
Somebody closed the doors.
Then they inspected the tray OF dia-
monds. Sure enough. two rings were
missing. None. however. had been sub
stltuted ~ their stead.
The young man uttered not word
He only looked surprised. BE had
made no resistance and no outcry.
The old woman, however was ex-
cited. She pushed back her bonnet
from her face.
Hes got emf she exclaimed. Hes
got EN- In his arm. It's hollow. Make
him take it OF. They're In there,
tell you. and youll find EN-"
The young man smiled. but protest.
ed feebly.
Gentlemen" be began true, It is
my misfortune to have but one arm
and true that I wear a false one. but
/ did not TAKE your stones, / assure
you"
The old woman violently shook her
head. You make him take of that
armr' she commanded. It's the great
est thing you ever saw It's hollow,
and it's got your diamonds IN 1t. Make
him take it OF"
The young man looked around upon
the faces; then he smiled again
Here" be replied; there's but one
way 10 prove my innocence"
lie removed his coat, rolled up bis
sleeve, unbuekled a strap or two and
pulled or the arm. They gathered
round and examined il, especially the
old lady.
It was not hollow-not by a long
shot. 1t was an ordinary false arm
made Of solid cork
When they were satisfied that it was
nathing else, the young man replaced
it and donned his coat again,
Gentlemen he continued looking
hard at the old woman, Il am no
mans accuser and 10 woman's either
but these stones were missed when
both Of Us. the old lady and myself,
stood at this counter There IS a
bare possibility be continued with
grln-'a bare possibility that she has
the stones herself And II ! am not
mistaken ! saw her put something In
that bag. You might examine it II
you will"
The bag IN question was one which
hung at the old lady's side They ex-
amined It. and they found-oh. moth
Ing much. save the two missing dia-
mond rings that's all.
Now, gentlemen" added the young
man. unless I am again mistaken this
old lady Is not what she seems to be-
Let us investigate once more" He
reached over and dcfrly pulled from
her head The Quaker hat and an old
gray wig. There stood revealed the
grizzled countenance Of Sneakers
Kelly, the detective.
The clerks pounced upon him and
bore him to the station house-the
nearest one. There be was Kept for
two days until a Chicago special could
he sent on TO recognize and identify
him for the man be really was
But on the way down to the station
the young man with the false arm
somehow disappeared Before he did
sd, however. he stepped UP and said a
word to Kelly
kelly he explained in a low voice,
next time You must give a fellow
time to get a new arm made Arms Of