The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1909-09-30

house. They were genuine. The clerk
on examination of the tray found thai
three spurious stones had been substi,
tuted in their place.
Kelly and the clerk examined the
arm. II vas made largely of wood.
but with Il hollow iron chamber below
the elbow and Il hollow hand. A series
of wires ran from the hand all the
way through the arm. These wires
evidently were controlled by the other
hand or the feet. and IL 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 Il slot in the hand opened
and closed. thus scOOping up whatever
lay beneath it. On pulling another he
found that ii would release me. 1--WE
or more spurious gems in place of the
p%urloined genuine stones. OF these
spurious gems they found a dozen or
so. but no more genuine stones were
found. Evidently the thief secreted
each stone Immediately.
II was the most complete cOntriv,
ance that Kelly had V seer for any
kird of thievery.
But Kelly was 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 Il mCnth mt 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 jewelry
house in Il down east metropolis an old
lady in Il Quaker bonnet stood and ad-
iusted 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 a foot or so of her there
stood a tall young man with a black
mustache. There was a ruddy. healthy
color upon his face. He said. with
some embarrassment. that he was buy
ing an engagement ring. He bent owe
a tray containing an assortment. The
old lady was so close to him that sha
almost touched him.
Suddenly she gripped him by the
arm and yelled to the clerk. This
mans a thiefr.' she cried in shrill
tones. 'Close the doors!'
The clerk hastily drew back the tray
of rings. Several other men ran up.
Somebody closed the doors.
Then they inspected the tray Of dia-
monds. Sure enough. two rings were
missing. None. however. had been sub
stituted in their stead.
The young man uttered not a word.
He only looked surprised. He had
made no resistance and no cutlery.
The old woman. however. was eX-
cited. She pushed back her bonnet
from her face.
Hes got 'em!" she exclaimed. Hes
got EN- in his arm. It's hollow. Make
him take it off. They're in there, l
tell you. and you'll find EN-"
The young man smiled. but protest
ed feebly.
Gentlemen" he began. true. it is
my misfortune to have but II arm
and true that | wear a false one. but
| did not take your stones. | assure
you"
The old Oma violently shook her
head. You make him take off that
ARM" she commanded. It's the great
est thing you ever saw. It's hollow.
and it's got your diamonds in it. Make
him take it Off"
The young man looked around upon
the faces; then he smiled again.
Here" he replied: there's but ~
way to prove my innocence
He removed his coat, rolled up his
sleeve. unbuckled a strap or two and
pulled off the arm. They gathered
round and examined it. especially the
old lady.
1t was not hOllow-not by Il long
shot. 1t was an ordinary false arm.
made of solid cork.
. When they were satisfied that it was
nothing else, the young mar replaced
it and donned his coat again.
Gentlemen" he continued, looking
hard at the old woman. Il am no
mans accuser and 40 WOmanIS either.
but these stones were missed when
both of US. the old lady and myself,
stood at this counter. There is a
bare possibility" he continued. with a
grin-"a bare possibility that she has
the stones herself. And if | am not
mistaken ! saw her put something in
that bag. You might examine it if
you will"
The bag in question was n 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 | am again mistaken this
old lady is not what she seems to be.
Let US investigate nce more" He
reached over and deftly pulled from
her head the Quaker hat and al old
gray wig. There stood revealed the
grizZled countenance of Sneakers"
Kelly, the detective.
The clerks bounced upon him and
pore him to the station hOuSe-the