Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-10-07
THE NECKLACE
OF PEARLS
Mystery Of Lost Jewels
ShrewdIy Revealed.


izing that without fortune he must
be able to make some return for invi.
tations, cast about for n method of
doing so. He could not sing or play on
any musical instrument He could not
lead the cotlllion. One thing he could
do--he could work tricks OF sleight of
hand. By this means he gradually got
invited to the best houses.
One evening Edgar attended large
ball given by one of society's mugnates.
He was standing in room crowded
with people when suddenly he saw a
hand passed between two people and
a pearl necklace droryed from 1t into
a fold OF a lady's dress, which formed
sort of pocket. The lady who was
the involuntary recipient of the jewels
was Miss Rosa Mainwaring, the daugh-
ter OF rich banker.
Now, Desmond was one of those self
contained fellows with an eye constant
ly to business who always get on. In
a twinkling he had formed plan to
turn what he had seen to great ad-
vantage. A thief had doubtless pur-
Joined the necklace and for some rea-
son had been obliged TO get rid OF 1t.
This reason was soon explained. Hear
Ing a commotion in the hall, Desmond
went there and found one of the
guests, Robert Chamberlin, a young
man of irreproachable character. be-
ing searched by a private detective
for the necklace which had been mo-
mentarily laid Off in the ladies' rob-
ing room and had disappeared. A
maid had reported seeing a man In
the robing room when no one else was
there answering to the description Of
Chamberlin. or course the jewels
were not found.
The detective retired in confusion.
Nevertheless the news of the accusa-
tion soon spread, and Chamberlin
found himself in very unenviable
position. Desmond sought the hostess
and said to her:
"If you will permit me to entertain
some OF your guests by few sleight
Of hand tricks l think l can add to
the eclat of your ball."
Certainly. Mr.. Desmond. would
have suggested 1t myself. but did not
like to trespass on your amiability."
Ten minutes later number of
guests were assembled in the music
room. Edgar mounted platform
used for musical purposes and delight
ed them with his magic.
1.-THE next trick" said Edgar, II
call the lost necklace. Perhaps you do
not all know that Mrs. Worth has lost
q valuable pearl necklace"
A painful constraint fell on the audi
ence.
"Magic is worthless II it can't re-
store stolen property. In other words.
this necklace Is not in the possession
Of a thief. but of an estimable lady
whose integrity is unquestioned."
The constraint was turned into
surprised expectancy.
Let me see." tapping his forehead
and closing his eyes. Twice four are
eight. which, being divided by two,
gives four. In fold of the dress of
the fourth lady sitting in the eighth
row of chairs the necklace will be
found"
Stepping down from the platform,
Edgar advanced to Miss Mainwaring
and. putting his hand into the fold.
took out the necklace. held 1t aloft,
then handed it to the lady who had
lost II.
There was clapping of hands. not
very expressive of appreciation of I'D.
gar's skill, but of rejoicing at the dis
cpvery that the whole affair was a
trick. Nevertheless Edgar was blamed.
"That fellow will stop at nothing"
said one.
"Some day he'll get himself In trou-
BILE with his tricks" said another.
"He had no business" said third.
ito use any guest for the purpose Of
displaying his skill without that guests
permission"
"Have your pardon" said Edgar to
Miss Mainwaring, 'for placing the
necklace with your"
Miss Mainwaripg granted the par
don. but with no good grace.
Edgar sauntered away, as though In
different to the effect he had produced,
but as soon as he got out of the room
he FASTENED to the hostess and begged
her to assemble the three persons in
terested In private room. When they,
the hostess included, came together
Edgar closed the door and said:
"This matter OF the necklace was
more serious than is supposed, and had
not acted as did 1t might have re-
suited very uppleasantly. The neck
lace was undoubtedly stolen. and
saw o hand drop 1t In Miss Mainwar-
ing's dress. Had I revealed the fact
there are some who would have fancied
wished to screen her and have sus-
pected even SO pure person as she.
You. too, Mr.. Chamberlin. would have
remained under suspicion. By leading
the audience to believe that 1t was a
mere trick both these disagreeable fea-
lures have been avoided, our hostess is
spared having had cloud cast over
her ball. while Mrs. Worth is repos-
sessed OF her property. 7 alone will
suffer with the guests for perpetrating
such trick"
Every one present looked at Edgar
with establishment mingled with adj
miration at his unselfishness.
When the affair came to the ears of
Miss Mainwaring's father. he deter
mined at once to avail himself of the
SERVICES of a young man with such
great ability In grasping exigencies.
Edgar not only eventually became hls
partner. but married his daughter