Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1911-11-23
THE NECKLACE
OF P[..Itr.lS
Mystery of Lost Jewels
ShewdIy Revealed.

Young Edgar Desmond. desiring to
move in the swim of society ana real
izing that without a fortune he must
be able to make some return for invi-
tations. cast about for a method of
doing so. He could not sing or play on
any musical instrument. He could not
lead the cotilion. 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 n large
ball given by one Of society's magnates
He was standing in a room crowded
with people when suddenly he saw Il
hand passed between two people and
pearl necklace dror led from it into
a fold of lady's dress. which formed
a 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
v to business who always get on. In
n twinkling he had formed a plan to
turn what he had seen to great adj
vantage. A thief had doubtless pur-
Joined the necklace and for some rea-
son had been obliged to get rid of it.
This reason was soon explained. Hear
ing a cOmmOtiOn in the hall. Desmond
went there and found one Of the
guests, Robert Chamberlin. young
Of ,hol III 81, h.,
ing searched by 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. OF course the jewels
were not found.
The detective retired in confusion
Nevertheless the news of the accusa-
ton soon spread. and Chamberlin
found himself in a 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 ! can add to
the eclat Of your ball.
Certainly. Mr.. Desmond. l would
have suggested it 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
a valuable pearl necklace"
A painful cOnstraint fell on the audi
ence.
Magic is worthless if 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 ii
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 it aloft.
then handed it to the lady who had
lost it,
There was clapping of hands. not
very expressive of appreciation of Ed
CARS skill. but of rejoicing ut the dis
covery that the whole affair was Il
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 q third.
ito use any guest for the purpose of
displaying his skill without that guests
permission.
Have l your pardon" said Edgar to
Miss Mainwaring. "for placing the
necklace with you?"
Miss Mainwaring 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 Il 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 it might have re
suited very unpleasantly. The neck
lace was undoubtedly stolen, and
saw hand drop it in Miss Mainwar-
ing's dress. Had | revealed the fact