Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-05-27
Mr.RaddaSen
Or.
The Mystery of the
Jade Ring
By Clarissa Mackie
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

citation. 1911.
ssssssessssssssssssssssaSs
When Detective Fem was called TO
the Raddason residence for the second
time within three months he smiled
knowingly under the brim Of his
SLOUGH hat All the way uptown he
was recalling the incident of the lost
Jewel box and the simple solution OF
the mystery. IL 1t pleased the million
aire to evolve plots for the detective
to untangle-why, Mr.. Fem was per-
fectly willing 30 long as Mr.. Radda-
son was willing to pay the fee.
1.-The first fee bought house in the
country; perhaps the next one will
furnish an automobile" chuckled De-
tective Fem as he emerged from the
subway and walked the short block to
the Raddason town residence.
Good morning. Mr.. Fenn." smiled
the millionaire as the detective entered.
what is II now-another robbery"
Eyes. A valuable ring which l had
Just purchased disappeared from this
table while my back was turned"
The detective was instantly alert.
''When did 1t happen. SIR"
Last evening about IL o'clock. l
win begin at the moment when 1 step
ped into Flicksell's and bought the
ring. l had been wanting 1t for some
time. for 1t was a genuine antique.
History said 1t was the favortte finger
ring of one of. the emperors of the
Ming dynasty. The workmanship was
exquisite, with the delicate carving of
rtt rsin
formed of carved ivory, and the set
ting was perfect piece OF clear green
jade with a dragon carved upon 1t.
"Flicksell had put pretty steep
price on 1t, and l had been beating
him down until at last he met my
offer. I sent him check for the
amount, and stopped In there last
evening on my way to the club and
got the ring. Il dined at the club and
went to the theater afterward. When
l got home | took the ring out and
laid 1t on the table here. l turned
away to remove my overcont, and as
approached the table again to examine
the Jade ring | saw that It had van.
ished. have not seen It since, nor
can l find any trace of Its where
abouts. It's up to you to find 1t for
me-"
Detective Fem flung aside his cigar
and twirled his fingers thoughtfully.
Anybody know you had purchased
the ringY he inquired.
Mr.. Raddason shook his head. mo
one except Flicksell."
"Who let you In the house last night.
Mr.. Raddason"
my butler. James Cannon"
"Was he In the library after you en-
tered the room?"
II believe he came In to close win
dow or something of that sort. l may
as well tell you. Mr.. Fem, that elm
mate James Cannon from the case.
A man who has the custody of thou
sands of dollars worth of gold and
silver plate is not going to sell himself
for trashy looking Chinese ring No
one who was not versed In such mat
tiers would have looked at the thing
second time"
"You were alone In the roomT
"Tve been in here ever since l came
home last night. | wouldn't stir from
the place until something had been
done about recovering the ring.
slept here last night. No one entered
the room from the time returned last
night until you came In fifteen min
utes ago."
Jade rings don't vanish into thin
air even II they are hundreds of years
old" remarked Mr.. Fem, dropping
upon his knees and examining the rug
under the table. II suppose you think
maybe one OF those old Ming emperors
was hanging around and snatched 1t
of when you wasn't looking"
Mr.. Raddason smiled sheepishly,
It'll admit that I've considered the
probability of that happening. Mr..
Fem. I've heard of some very queer
happenings In connection with those
ancient rings. I may as well say I've
crawled all over the floor and can't
find trace of the thing. | feel mighty
uncomfortable over the matter"
Detective Fem was creeping around
the room, peering under chairs and
tables and bookcases, turning up the
corners of rugs, poking into every
crevice and Granny that might AFFORD
hiding place for the jade ring. He
poked down into the creyices of the
leather chairs without result At last
he emerged, hot and dusty. to resume
his scat at the table. There he lighted
another cigar and prepared himself a
glass of plain soda water.
Nevertheless would like to ques-
ton James Cannon. Mr.. Raddason."
he said after little pause.
AT the risk of my losing the best
servant | ever had In my employ"
commented Mr.. Raddason as he rang
the bell. M A
Instantly James Cannon was before
them. tall. pale, sleek and very defer
entail.
James, said Mr.. Raddason kindly.
something has been lost from this
room, and have called Mr.. Fem In
to try to unravel the matter for me.
As you were In here last evening when
l returned home, Mr.. Fem thinks you
might be able TO help US out"
Eyes, SIR" said the butler in rather
nm uncertain voice. "Of course don't
know anything about 1t, SIR" he con
cluded hoarsely.
"Of course not-of course not Still.