Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-06-06
Mr.RaddaSon
Or,
The Mystery of the
Jade Ring
BY Clarissa Mackie
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. l9ll

. Copyright by American Press Asso- 9
citation. l9ll
10000 ssssssssssssssssssss
When Detective Fem was called to
the Raddason residence for the second
time within three months he smiled
knowingly under the brim Of his
slouch hat All the way uptown be
was recalling the incident Of the lost
Jewel box and the simple solution OF
the mystery. II 1t pleased the million.
aire to evolve plots for the detective
to untangle- why, Mr. Fem was per-
fectly willing so long as Mr.. Radda.
son was willing to pay the fee.
"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 1t now -unother robbery
"Yes. A valuable ring which bad
Just purchased disappeared from this
table while my back was turned"
The detective was instantly alert
when did 1t happen. SIR"
"Last evening about II o'clock.
will begin at the moment when step
ped into Flicksell's and bought the
ring. / had been wanting 1t for some
time, for 1t was a genuine antique.
History said It was the favor1te finger
ring of one Of the emperors Of the
Ming dynasty. The workmanship was
exquisite, with the delicate carving of
the Chinese artisan. The ring was
formed of carved ivory, and the set
ting was a perfect piece Of clear green
Jade with dragon carved upon It.
"Flicksell had put pretty steep
price on It, and had been beating
him down until at last be met my
offer. sent him a check for the
amount and I stopped In there last
evening on my way to the club and
got the ring. dined at the club and
went to the theater afterward When
| got home took the ring out and
laid II OH the table here. ! turned
away to remove my overcoat. and as
approached the table again to examine
the Jade ring saw that II had van
ished. have not seen II since. nor
can fnd any trace Of its where
abouts. It's up to you to find 1t for
me-"
Detective Fem 6ung aside his cigar
and twirled his fingers thoughtfully.
Anybody know you had purchased
the ringY' he inquired
Mr.. Raddason shook his bead NO
one except FlickselL"
who LET you In the house last night.
Sir. Raddasonr'
My butler. james Ganmon-
WAS he In the library after you en-
tered the roomY
Il believe he cnme In TO close a win
dow or something Of that sort. J may
as well tell you. Mr.. Fem. that elm
mate James Gammon from the case
A man who bas the custody % thou
sands OF dollars worth Of gold and
silver plate II not going 20 sell himself
for a TRASHY looking Chinese ring No
one who was not versed In such mat
ters would bave looked at the thing
second time.
you were alone In the roomT
-rve been In here ever since ! came
home last night | wouldn't stir from
the place until something had been
done about recovering the ring l
slept here lnsi night No one entered
the room from the time returned last
night until you came In hfteen min
utes ago"
"Jade rings don't vanish into thin
afr even II they are hundreds OF years
old" remarked Mr.. Fem. dropping
upon bis knees aud examining the rug
under the table Il suppose you think
maybe one Of those old Ming emperors
was hanging around and snatched II
OF when you wasn't looking.
Mr.. Raddason smiled sheepishly
I'll admit that I've considered the
probability Of that happening. MT
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 door and can't
find d truce 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
bis seat at the table There he lighted
another cigar and prepared himself q
glass of plain soda water.
Nevertheless I would like to ques.
tion James Cannon. Mr.. Raddnson."
he said after little pause.
AT the risk Of my losing the best
servant I ever hnd in my employ"
commented MIR Raddason as he rang
the bell
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 I have called Mr.. Fem In
10 try to unruvel the matter for me.
As you were In here last evening when
! returned home. Mr.. Fem thinks you
might be able to help us out"
"Yes SIR" said the butler in rather
an uncertain voice "Of course don't
know anything about 1t. SIR" be con-
cluded hoarsely.
.Of course not-of course not Still.
Mr.. Fem thinks you might be able
to tell him whether the doors and
windows had been open or closed dur
ing the evening and whether some
one might have been concealed In the
room when I returned home from the
theater."
>"By the way, what play did you 60
to see last night, Mr. Raddasonr ask.
ed the detective.
The millionaire paused and nibbled Q
finger thoughtfully. His forehead
creased In q puzzled frown that deep
ened as the minutes passed I'm
blessed II ! can tell you. Fennr be
cried at last "Tve been to some show