The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-12-12
MliSa]

- do not care to
glance on these
pages finishing In a note OF interro-
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 dc Prony."
We have In Paris q large colony Of
spaniards from South America-Chil-
ians, Venezaelans, and others, as
rule enormously rich. They are pleas
ure-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 I shall call "Dominguez"
had taken q 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.
Fortunately, nothing mad been dis
turbed there, and We went at once =
the dressing room, where we found
Madame standing with rueful face
before the open safe. No doubt was
possible; it was the work of an artist
In the profession, a man with a sure
hand, who had not wasted time over
the business.
M. Dominguez was cycling me curl
ously.
We'll, M. Goron?" he said.
This was not the work Of q begin
ner," / replied.
Il am clever enough to see that,
too" he remarked with a laugh. Then,
after a pause:
"The thief must be found, M. Goron,
do you understand? He must be found.
Do not let expense stand In the way;
I am prepared to put down at once any
sum that may be required.
II M. Dominguez expected q reply
he was disappointed, for l continued to
make a careful investigation Of the
room in the hope of finding q clue.
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,
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, q large affair with an enormous
monogram, and there. on the white
Ivory, was small pinkish stain.
felt convinced that the robbery
had been committed by one of the
guests. and inquired how many people
they had entertained.
"One hundred and forty-two."
Kindly give me the names."
Madame went to fetch the list. and
handed 1t to me. I counted the names:
there were sixty-three.
Where are the others?"
Madame turned red, and then said:
You see. N. Goron, We have not
been long In Paris, and I gave my
dACA4S 4ASAl6l1O0 WHICH
they filled up and sent to people
among their own set"
Then you don't know even the
names OF the remaining ssventy-nine
who spent the evening with your"
Well. no: remember perhaps hall
. dozen, but not the others"
Things did not look promising.
We entered the drawing room
which looked like a battlefield the day
after the fight. Several Of the small
gilt chairs were broken, the china
vases had been smashed, and there
was big tear In one Of the pale vel
low curtains.
When Dominguez saw this devasta
ton his temper, never the most equa
BILE. apparently, again got the bette,
Of him.
"Dios Mol" he shouted, there's Z
nights entertainment; q fine expen
q =