The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-03-08

particular one | had in mind. A visit
and personal inspection enabled me to
verify my conjecture that it was the
veritable vase which had been stolen
from my brothers palace in this city;
and, point equally important to me,
was allowed to examine it with a
minuteness which was sufficient to
assure me that It was intact Ny Of
fer to purchase 1t was politely de-
clined. | know now that the figure l
named was much less than that paid
by the possessor at the time; but,
knowing the actual value of the ar
ticle, l feared to offer more lest my
anxiety should arouse suspicion.
In the course of the next year and
half devised many expedients for
securing possession of the bathing bit
of porcelain, but none of them were
successful. But at length fortune
favored me. learned that, consequent
upon the death of the American own
er of the vase, it would be sold at
auction, together with the whole col.
lection of which it formed a part
Many names were mentioned as those
of possible purchasers, but felt sure
that, with the resources at my dis
posal, it would come into my posses
sion. My preparations were carefully
made. Not wishing to appear in per-
son at the sale, lest my determination
to buy the article should arouse opDo-
sition and thwart me at the last mo-
ment, engaged an American repre-
sentative, whose allegiance to my
cause was confirmed by solemn prom
ises and by the fact that he was to
receive $4,000 for his services. His in
structions were to purchase the vase
at the lowest possible price, but to Sc
cure it at any figure not exceeding
100000, which was the amount held
in reserve for any emergency. 1t was
knocked down." as they say in your
country, to my agent for $4,000 in
cash. A few hours later left New
York, bound, by way Of San Francis
co, for Shanghai"
Once or twice during the progress Of
this narration my wife glanced at me
with an expression which plainly sug-
gested incredulity, especially when
Ian Flu mentioned the amount he
stood ready to pay for the vase. Sure
ly," Mrs. Carhart remarked when he
had finished, though that vase is
in it's way, / should
never have dreamed that it was worth
anywhere near 100000"
Nor is it," replied the Chinaman,
lifting the vase from the cushion and
handling it with a carelessness which
aroused my keenest apprehensions for
It's safety. 1T could probably be du-
Dlicated for what would be the equiv
alent of a thousand dollars of the
money of your country. 1t is undoubt-
edly a beautiful specimen Of the pot
.er's art, but by no means unique in
he Celestial kingdom. You will un-
ierstand my willingness to purchase 1t
At the figure l named only when
,all attention to the fact that there is
l hole in the bottom which was not
here when l bought il"
How interesting!" exclaimed my
wife; though / do not believe that she,
my more than l, interpreted the drift
# our friends remarks.
"You will observe" continued Ian
gu, presenting the article for our clos
n inspection, that the base Of this
'ase is very thick-quite two inches.
Owing to the narrowness Of the mouth
his fact is not noticeable and would
be discovered only by one
Who should take pains to measure 1t
inside and out. The hole in the bot
ON Of the vase is about an inch in di-
meter and perhaps an inch and
deep. A small object
,laced in this hole and carefully Gov
red with hard cement would, II the
peration were skillfully done, be
uite likely to escape the notice OF
ny one unaware of its existence"
"Ah! / see" said There was a
aluable-a large diamond or some
hing of that sort--concealed in the
ottom."
"You are right In supposing that
here was something concealed there"
eplied the Chlnaman, replacing the
ase on its embroidered cushion, but
/ was not a Jewell Come, and will
i've you a sight Of what cost me a
ouplo Of anxious years. My brother