Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-06-01
Who Stole the Jewels /?

"a 6a'S ~ "
case"
saw his wife look up at him, evident
ly with an intent to stop him, but he told
the story all the same.
"Mrs. Williams came to the office one
day-she was widow-and stated that
something was occurring in her house
she wished investigated. She possessed
number OF valuable family jewels, which
she kept in safe imbedded in the wall
on the second story of her dwelling. She
alone knew the combination, and yet the
Jewels were gradually disappearing. She
had a governess for her children, Miss
Elizabeth Ward, whom she suspected. |
having been detailed on tie case, she was
giving these facts to me. AT this point
interrupted her.
"I thought you said, Mrs. Williams,
that you alone knew the combination.
How can Miss Ward open the safe with
out it2'
Possibly in this way: She has a
brother who is skilled mechanic in the
service of safe and lock company. He
visits her frequently, and suspect that
either he has instructed her in lock pick
ing or she conceals him in the house and
he watches his opportunity TO pick it
himself unobServed.'
at struck me that TO discover the truth
all she had to do was to watch and she
would catch either Miss Ward or her
brother stealing tine jewels. But if she
preferred to pay detective for doing it |
was quite willing. was introduced into
the house as nephew of Mrs. Williams,
from distant land, and, of course, to
Miss Ward.
81 found the governess avery attractive
young lady. Had | not felt very sure she
was an adventures should have fallen
in love with her. Indeed. Pm not sure
but-don't like TO hear it, eh, dear ?
That's quite natural. I'll switch off from
that part of the story, though Pm sure
you have no reason to be jealous. Well,
took up my residence for few days or
few weeks, as the case might require,
and was assigned bedroom directly op-
posite the safe in which the Jewels were
kept.
at didn't take me long to find out that
Miss WaId was as smart as steel trap,
and made up my mind that TO catch her
or her brother, which was the same
thing would have to be awake every
night in the week. But she seemed wor-
ried. With the true detective instinct, |
saw through that. ! inferred that her
brother was dominating her, compelling
her to keep on with the thetts, while she
feared this scheme would at last be de-
tected and one or both would spend
term in the state prison. At any rate,
she was worried.
81 remained awake all night tor several
nights in succession, and as had no ex-
cuse to remain in bed all day gave up
the plan OF catching the thief in the act
and determined to try and worm myself
into the confidence of Miss Ward and see
if | couldn't get the secret from her. |
found her quite willing to be courted
and"-
"Horacel" interposed Mrs. Jones.
"Pardon, my dear" Then to me: "My
wife can't bear to hear me speak of my
premarital affairs"
"Of course she can't" chimed in with
Mrs. Jones. elbow would you like your
wife to talk about her own premarital af-
fairs?"
"Uml That's different. But to go on
with my story. didn't get much from
the governess, and while was making
up to her Mrs. Williams reported that she
had lost another jewel.
"Meeting Miss Ward after this theft, !
found her in a very bad humor. Why |
could not understand, for neither she nor
any one else had been caught stealing.
She astonished me by coming out blunt
lY:
"'Mr. Detective, if you wish to find
out who is stealing the jewels, change
your room.'
"You could have knocked me down
with feather. knew had met my
match and answered never word. !
went to Mrs. Williams and told her !
would take room farther from the safe.
She gave me one at the end OF the hall
where could see without being seen, the
light, which was kept burning low all
night, being directly over the safe.
"Time passed, during which was get
ting impatient at doing nothing, though !
was rot dissatisfied at being kept in the
house with Miss Ward. One night |
heard light tap at my door. Putting on
dressing gown, opened it. Miss Ward
was standingin dark corner and pointed
toward the safe. There stood Mrs. VIII
liams fumbIing with the lock.
"'She's asleep whispered Miss Ward.
"Mrs. Williams opened the safe, took
out something, closed the door and went
away. The mystery was solved. AS a
sleepwaIker she was transferring her Jew
els from the safe to tin box in her bed
room closet"
"What became of Miss Ward?" ! ask
ed.
Iones looked at his wife, and both
smiled.
A lady ore day remarked to Bulwer
Lytton how odd it was that a dove
| Latin, colombe) should have been sem
Il 4 al