Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-12-25

moiselle Yyonne H--s marriage, and
a big display had been made OF the
trousseau and presents.
The three receptior-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,
a glass case had been specially fitted
90 guard the contents against indis-
Greet fingers.
AS a rule, detectives-who by the
uninitiated are often taken for poor
reIations-are engaged to guard the
property, as 1t is difficult to know how
many unlimited may manage to make
their way into the house. Madame
H.. however had not taken this
precaution; and this mistake caused
me to make her acquaintance.
II was discovered that a costly pen
dant had mysteriously disappeared
and early the next morning ! was in
the Rue du General AY1ert. seated OPP
posite Madame H (the widow of a
wealthy merchanO. her daughter
Yvonne, and fat. red-faced. pompous
gentleman, whom the ladies addressed
as Uncle Jerome. He was loudest In
his lamentations. and / soon discover
ed the reason: the pendant had been
presented by him, and he seemed to
take 1t as a personal affront that the
thief should have selected his gift.
4 h1H m Il %
l had to cut him short and beg the
ladies to show me the glass case from
which the jewel had been distracted.
This case was absolutely intact, and
the thief must have watched his OPP
portunity TO raise It unobserved. Only
n man with a cool head and a 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 the servants, driving them 10 the
verge OF Mysteries | came TO 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 I was examining the room In
search Of possible clue, I heard I'm
Gle Jerome call out IN angry tones:
"And what about the baron's coat?
Does Monsieur Goron know anything
about that7"
! turned around
what baron, and what coat?"
"Well. you see, Monsieur Goron,"
said Madame IL, 1T was altogether
an unfortunate day. for when Baron
s. asked for his coat 1t was no
where to be found"
HAS anything else been stolen?" |
inquired
NO" said Madame H. Il think
this was quite enough for one after.
noon"
u think 80 too" interrupted the
uncle, the baron must have fine
opinion OF the people you receive"
And turning to me, he added:
81 have the pleasure of being one
Of the baron's friends, and It makes
II very awkward for me-yery! In
troduced him here"
At my request Madame made a
rough sketch of the pendant II was
of Oriental design set with large dia-
monds. eSding in q small lotus flower.
also asked for the address Of the
baron, whom ! wanted TO sec about
the coat, and learned he was a Rus
sian, very rich. living In the Avenue
dc lAlmu As / rose to leave. Uncle
Jerome insisted on a minutes private
conversation.
Monsieur Goron," he began when
we were alone. u did not like to speak
before my slst9r-in'law; but l consid-
er II my duty TO mention certain
gentleman to you-Alfred o., rel
alive by marriage Of Madame IL,
good .for-nothing who has beer mixed
up in several ugly affairs. | begged
my sister.in-law repeatedly not TO re-
ceive him; bat he plays the funny
man, amuses the ladies. and makes
himself at home here--too much so"
DO you mean 10 imply"
Il imply nothing. ! am only giving
you a hint"
The valet opened the door for me.
and ut that moment n closed cab drove
up: a young man allghted and remained
talking to 4 lady inside, A lace veil
hid her face
who is that?' asked the valet
That's Monsieur Alfred, he re.
piled. with the shadow of sheer,
"and that woman inside is his friend
Tips"
who is Tips"
Not much good
Alfred, apparently was not a per
soma grata
Thus far l had no clue whS 'ever
therefore resolved not TO act before !
Rad seen both the baron and Alfred,
In my office two inspectors met me
with smiling faces
You were right sir said one
"about these bicycle thieves. We ar
rested them this morning and found
about twenty cycles in the p you
mentioned"
Nodding TO his companions hat
will be good news for Tips Hers was
among the lot"
Who the deuce is Tips This i.
the second time within an hour | hoal
her mentioned"
Her name, SIR, is Georgette Che
WALLER. she was married TO a trainer
a brute, who beat her and drank him
self to death. ST speaks English as
well as French. and is we'll known tc
the English trainers and jockeys ii
ChantiIly and Maisons Iaffitte whC
ebristaned her Tins because she al