The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-12-27


NJ the first floor. II was a
few days before Made.
nolselle Yvonne IFS marriage, and
big display had been made OF the
rousseau and presents.
The three reception.rooms were
thrown open. and long narrow tables
covered with jewelry. fans. plate. and
works of art OF every description lined
the walls. At the principal table,
where jewelry and lace were exhibited,
n glass case had been specially fitted
20 guard the contents against indis-
/ Greet fingers.
As a rule. detectives--who by the
unlni,iated are often taken for poor
relatlons-are engaged to guard the
property. as It is difficult to know how
many unlimited may manage to make
their way into the house. Madame
H, however. had not taken this
precautions; and this mistake caused
me to make her acquaintance.
II was discovered that n costly pen.
dant had mysteriously disappeared.
and early the next morning was in
the Rue du General Appert. seated OPP
posite Madame H 1.-THE widow of q
wealthy merchanD, her daughter
Yyorne. and fat. red.faced, pompous
gentleman. whom the ladies addressed
as Uncle Jerome. lie was loudest in
his lamentations, and ] soon discover
od the reason: the pendant had been
presented by him, and he seemed TO
take IL as n personal affront that the
thief should have selected his gift.
had many questions TO ask, so that
7 had 10 cut him short and beg the
ladies' 10 show me the glass case from
which the jewel had been distracted.
This case was absolutely intact and
the thief must have watched his op.
portunity TO raise II unohserved. Only
a man with a cool head and steady
hand would have dared to attempt
this, in room full OF people with half
dozen attendants near the tables.
Uncle Jerome had already question
ed tho servants, driving them TO the
verge of Mysteries. came 10 the con
clusion that they knew nothing. and
that no information OF value could be
obtained from the ladies or their loud.
voiced relative.
While was examining the room in
search Of possible clue. heard I'm
Gle Jerome call out In angry tones:
And what about the baron's coat7
Does Monsieur Goron know anything
about that?"
turned around.
What baron, and what coat?"
Well. you see, Monsieur Goron."
said Madame H, ut was altogether
an unfortunate day, for when Baron
s. asked for his coat It was no.
where TO be found"
Has anything else been stolen?" l
inquired.
No" said Madame H. Il think
this was quite enough for one after
noon"
Il think 30 too" interrupted the
uncle; 1.-THE baron must have a fine
opinion Of the people you receive.
And turning to me. he added:
Il have the pleasure OF being one
OF the baron's friends. and 1t makes
II very awkward for me-very! In
uoduced him here"
At my request Madame made
rough sketch Of the pendant. 1t was
OF Oriental design. set with large dia'
monds. ending in a small lotus Hover
| also asked for the address OF the
baron. whom / wanted to see about
the coat. and learned he was a Rus
sian. very rich. living In the Avenue
de rAlma. AS I rose TO leave. uncle
Jerome insisted on a minutes private
conversation.
Monsieur Goron." he began when
We We're alone, II did not like TO speah
before my sister-in.law: but | consid'
er II my duty TO mention certain
gentleman to you-Alfred o. rel
alive by marriage OF Madame II
good-for-nothing. who has been miAeu
up In several ugly affairs. | begged
my sister-in-law repeatedly not 10 TO
ceive him: but he plays the FUNNY
man. amuses the ladies, and makes
himself at homo here-too much So
, do you mean to imply"
! Il imply nothing. / am only gi'ins
you a hint"
, The valet opened the door Tor me-
and at that moment a closed cab drove
up; young man alighted and remaheu
talking to a lady inside. A lace We"
hid her face.
: who Is thatf" asked the valet.
, That's Monsieur Alfred. ne TO
piled. with the shadow OF a snee
and that woman inside Ia his frienu
Tips"
Who Is Tipsf"
Not much good"
Alfred. apparently was not g per
soma grata. Il
Thus far I had no clue whatever.
therefore resolved not to act peloIe
had seen both the baron and Alfred.
In my ONCE two inspectors met mo
with smiling faces.
You were right. sir" saio ono
fabout these bicycle thieves. we ="
re- tod them this morning, and iou"'