The Springfield herald., 1912-11-22


cation, somber dramas of which have
known only the first two acts because
the princiI al personages carried the re-
mainder OF the story with them into
the tomb. These cases have caused
me much worry and trouble, and one
In particular. entered in my journal as
the "Soiree at the Rue de Prony."
We have in Paris large colony Of
spaniards from South America-Chil-
lans, Venezuelans,, and others, as a
rule enormously rich. They are pleas
1re-seekers. loud in their dress. noisy
In their talk, ostentatious and vain.
scattering their money broadcast, to
the delight of the Paris tradesmen and
restaurateurs.
The people shall call "Dominguez"
had taken a charming little house In
the Rue de Prony, and. shortly after
their arrival, gave an entertainment at
which one hundred and forty people
were present.
When Monsieur and Madame Domin-
guez went to their bedroom an un-
pleasant surprise awaited them. The
safe In the dressing room had been
broken open, and everything in the
way of money. jewelry, and valuable
documents abstracted.
The next morning NJ Dominguez's
card was brought to me while l was
breakfasting. and l at once went to
meet him. He was very excited and
began by upbraiding the police for not
looking after his property: then he
became little calmer and asked me
TO accompany him to his house.
M. Dominguez had a large face
burnt by the sun. deep-set eyes. and a
way of looking sideways, a cunning
look. that did not impress me favor
ably. His brougham was at the door
and we were not long reaching the
Rue de Prony.
Fortunately, nothing. nad been dis
turbed there, and we went at once to
the dressing room, where we found
Madame standing with rueful face
before the open safe. No doubt was
possible; 1t was the work of an artist
In the profession, man with sure
hand, who had not wasted time over
the business.
M Dominguez was cycling me curl
ously.
This was not the work of begin
ner," replied.
81 am clever enough to see that,
too" he remarked with laugh. Then,
after a pause:
"The thief must be found, NJ. Goron.
do you understand? He must be found.
Do not let expense stand In the way;
am prepared to put down at once any
sum that may be required.
II NJ Dominguez expected a reply
he was disappointed, for continued to
make a careful investigation Of the
room in the hope of finding clue.
The thief, however, had not left what
the police. with us. call Visiting
card"-some trife that might help in
the search.
WAS any one in charge of the up
stairs rooms during the EVENING"" /
asked Madame.
Yes, one of the maids"
please send for her"
The maid came. looking very scared.
and, after deluge of tears, told me
that several ladies had been in the
dressing room after supper. "to put a
little powder on" but that no gen.
tleman had gone there
Were you upstairs all the even
ing?"
mo. sir; the greater part of the
evening was helping the other serv-
ant girls get supper ready. Besides.
/ had no idea that-that-" and a
fresh torrent of tears followed.
Evidently she knew nothing, and /
sent her about her business.
did you notice anything displaced
or disturbed when you entered the
dressing room this morning?" was my
next question.
NO" retorted Madame. mo; or.
rather. yes. This porcelain cup, and
the ivory paper cutter, that are al
ways on the safe. had been placed on
that chair near the bed"
The thief, whoever he was, had han
died these articles. and they now be-
came objects Of interest. The cup did
not present any remarkable features,
except that the thin coating of dust
did not speak a well-regulated house,
hold. Then came the turn Of the paper
cutter, a large affair with an enormous
monogram, and there, on the white
ivory, was a small pinkish stain.
To an acute observer, every detail
is of Importance. and 1 first
asked the husband and then the
wife whether thy had ever noticed
the stain. They both looked at 1t
carefully and shook their heads. No,
they had no recollection of having
ever seen 1t, but of course. 1t might
have been there before.
/ had to be satisfied with that state
ment, and asked permission to take
the paper knife with me.
felt convinced that the robbery
had been committed by one of the
guests, and inquired how many people
they had entertained.
zone hundred and forty-two."
kindly give me the names"
Madame went to fetch the list, and
handed 1t to me. / counted the names;
there were siXty-three.
Where are the others?"
Madame turned red, and then said:
You see, NJ. Goron, we have not
been long in Paris, and l gave my
friends blank invitation cards, which
they filled up and sent to people
among their own set"