The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1910-02-17

see mere, little one, SAID the detcc-
tive tactfully, I'm Sweazey. I'm de
tective, and I'm here after them dia-
monds. What's more, I'm wise to you
See? Now, all you've got to do is
just tell me where you've put them
See? We won't have no trouble. you
and me. All you've got to do is to
own up and you'll be let of easy. You
try any funny business with me and
-"
At this juncture Parmenter and his
wife interfered, and Sweazey rather
sulkily desisted.
"Is there anybody else in the
house?" he asked.
"The furnace man." replied Par.
menter, but he"
Now. Cap" said the detective. III
you want me to get you them dia.
monds, you've got to let me go about
1t my own way. Is your furnace ran
down in the basement? This is the
door, amt It? I'll go down. Don't
you trouble"
He went down and Mrs. Parmenter
soothed the weeping Elise, while her
husband stood looking helplessly on.
In a few moments there was a bang
and clatter of broken glass below
and the detective reappeared, with
very red face and breathing hard from
his hurried ascent of the stairs.
"EIe threw the ash sitter at mo and
It knocked some bottles off a shelf"
explained Sweazey. Il believe I've
got The right clue. but that man must
not be allowed to get away"
Thoreupon he began systematic
search, beginning at the garrett lie
felt along the rafters. he examined
the floors, he ransacked trunks that
had not been opened in years, he
paved over Mrs. Parmenter's party
frocks and hummased among her
toi!e, articles.
TO Mrs. Parmenter's eminently nat
ural protests he answered, not unrea.
aoncbly, that when he had found out
all the places that the diamonds were
not, it was a pipe that he'd know the
place where they were.
By that time he had worked down
10 the parlor.
"Oh, go ahead" said Parmenter in
a rather disgusted tone, and went cut
Of the room.
Thereupon Sweazey turned to Mrs.
Parmenter. Excuse me, but you've
been losing money at bridge whist
lately, haven't you?" he said
Mrs. Parmenter stared at him,
speechless with amazement.
Il had hunch that them diamonds
wasn't lost right from the sta. ~
said Sweazey, with confident smile.
81 know you ladies get up against it
once in while and have to get money
somewhere. Particularly when their
husbands is little on the tight wad
order. Understand. ] amt blaming
you. Them diamonds was yours
and"
"Margie" called Parmenter from
upstairs, 1--WE got them
The next moment he came running
most recklessly down the stairs with
chamos-skin bag in his hand
They'd get among the bedsprngs,"
he said. you must have put them
under your pillow when you went to
bed, and they managed to slip down.
You know. l told you that perhaps
they might be under the springs, Mr.
Sweazey"
Sure" answered the detective. i'm.
perturbably. 81 was just going to
ask you to help me take them springs
of. Let me have a look at them dia-
monds, il you don't mind"
Parmenter handed him the bag and
he emptied it into his palm and gazed
at the jewels long and earnestly. Then
he put them back into the bag and
handed them to Mrs. Parmenter.
There are your diamonds, maam."
he said, with an air. "Ill know them
dianonds anywhere-if it's twenty
wears from now. If ever you lose
Lhcm again, you must send for me-"
CweGzey's bill for his valued SER
vices was $25.-KENNETT HARRIS.