Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-05-07

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES .s - S-+++++&4
) One winter when congress was In
session ! was invited to the national
capital 70 spend week with my
friend Jim 1rcusdall In company with
others. forming n very pleasant house
party. Jim had not been long mar
ricd. and | was bachelor. have
always thought that his wife got up
the affair especially for my benefit
aud tina, Of Miss Mildred Sweet. Mrs.
Jim desiring to make a match between
us. II she did she had no trouble. so
far as was concerned. for had not
been acquainted with Miss Sweet ten
minutes before remarked to myself.
That's the girl am looking Tor"
have Il theory that good way TO
win girl Il 20 conjure up something
IN which You and she may have
mutual interest. Fortune favored me
In this wise
One evening ~ dinner Mrs Jim show
ed plainly that something had hap
!
} guests and when they spoke to her
replied IN monosyllabIes. Trcusdail
abored hard to keep certain amount
Of life In the party. but was not sue
cessfu.
After dinner Jim took me up 10 a
little den he used 20 hide away in
and told me what was the matter.
His wife had lost = diamond as big
"a a hickory nut II had been handed
down To her for five generations aud
been turned over 10 her on her we'd
ding day She had taken II out Of
Its receptacle to wear IL that evening
at reception that was 90 occur at
the White House and had left 1t on
her bureau while giving some direc-
lions about the dinner.
He had no sooner told me this than
II required 10 me 10 make detective
Of myself for the purpose Of discover
ing the thief and to take Miss Sweet
into the business with me. BY inter
esting her In the case hoped eventual
~ 10 turn that interest from the gem
to myself.
|
but only elected the information that
every servant In the house during his
wife's absence from her room was
downstairs and quite busy. most OF
them with the preparations for the
dinner. The men guests were all In
the billiard room. Two of the women
guests were dressing In their rooms
for dinner aud after that the function
at the White House A third, wild
ow. Mrs. Jernegan. with little daugh-
ter. Ave years old. had finished her
toilet and was assisting her nurse 10
put the child 10 bed.
Mrs Jernegan was my first choice
for the thief Women who are not
dressed don't run about In another
persons house. and Mrs. Jernegan was
the only person on the floor nj the
time the stone was lost. ! went TO
the White House reception with Miss
Sweet and during tho evening told her
about the loss ard began 10 excite her
curiosity as to who could have been
the thief
1T would 10 ulce thing" said.
III you aud l. working together. could
recover the stone and turn IL back 90
the rightful owner
Indeed II would she said. but
how can we do that."
Il don't know that We can, but We
can try"
conhded To her that ! suspected
Mrs. .Jcrncsan She did not especial
Is fancy tho widow. but could hardly
bring herself io feel that she had
stolen the diamond. told Miss Sweet
that she. lein. woman. could keep
m eye ON the suspect better than /.
and she agreed To de- So.
| had a little scheme mp my sleeve
To- compel Mrs. Jcrnesan To show her
colors II she We're guilty. or course
that was not proving her guilty or get
ting back the stone. hut IL would
including Mrs. Jcrnegan. 10 visit the
capitol. Miss Sweet was. of course.
with ms. After showing the party
through the building I took them up
into the dome There Is whispering
gallery In this dome In which voice
speaking On one side can he heard at
the other. Leaving the widow gu one
side ~ the dome. took Miss Sweet
halfway round the scmicircic. and.
watching til Mrs. Jernegan was sep
arated from the others. suggested To
Miss Sweet to put her mouth near the
wall and whisper the words. What
did you de- with itY'
She did So. aud the effect was In
Simultaneous aud unmisiakable. The
widow staggered. turned pale and
looked hurrledly about her. When she
turned her eyes upon us we were
looking down on to the marble floor
far below.
My companion was delighted with
the success ~ my device She seemed
20 be struck with surprise and all
miration nc what she was pleased TO
call my ingenuity ! was more inter
ested In Miss Sweet than 10 the thief.
disclaimci any great shrewdncss
indeed. thus Oar was simply lucky.
Bur must keep az the Illusion.