The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1913-01-16

W way to the salons on
" the first floor. 1t was a
few days before Made
moiselle Yvonne H-'s marriage, and
big display had been made OF the
trousseau and presents.
The three reception-rooms were
thrown open. and long harrow tables
covered with 1ewelry. 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
to guard the contents against indis-
Greet fingers.
AS a rule. detectives-who by the
uninitiated are often taken for poor
relations-are engaged to guard the
property. as 1t is diff cult 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.
It was discovered that costly pen
dant had mysteriously disappeared,
and early the next morning | was in
the Rue du General Appert, seated OPP
posite Madame H (the widow Of a
wealthy merchanD. her daughter
Yvonne, and a fat, red-faced, pompous
gentleman, whom the ladies addressed
as Uncle Jerome. He was loudest In
his lamentations, and l soon discover
ed the reason: the pendant had been
presented by him, and he seemed to
take 1t as personal affront that the
thief should have selected his gift.
/ had many questions to ask, so that
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 1t unobserved. Only
a man with a cool head and a steady
hand would have dared to attempt
this, in a room full Of people with half
a dozen attendants near the tables
Uncle Jerome had already question
ed the servants, driving them to 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 a possible clue, l heard Un-
Gle Jerome call out in angry tones:
"And what about the baron's coat?
Does Monsieur Goron know anything
about that?"
turned around.
What baron, and what coat?"
well, you see, Monsieur Goron.
said Madame H, at 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?"
inquired.
"No," said Madame H. II think
this was quite enough for one after
noon"
81 think so too" interrupted the
uncle; "the baron must have hn<
opinion of the people you receive.
And turning to me. he added:
st have the pleasure Of being one
of the baron's friends. and 1t makes
1t very awkward for me-Very! In
troduced him here"
At my request Madame made
rough sketch of the pendant. 1t wa
of Oriental design. set with large dia
monds, ending in a small lotus mower
also asked for the address OF thu
baron. whom / wanted to see aoou
the coat. and learned he was q Rus
sian very rich, living in tie Avenu
de rAlma. AS I rose to leave. Uncl
Jerome insisted on minutes prlvat
conversation.
monsieur Goron." he began whe'
we were alone, 81 did not like to spea
before my sister-in-law; but I consie
or II nv duty to mention q certa1
gentleman to you-Alfred o., re
alive by marriage of Madame H,
sood-for-nothing, who has been nike
nm in several ugly affairs. begge
nv sister-in-law repeatedly not TO II
ceiye him; but he plays the 1unn!
man. amuses the ladies, and make
himself at home here-too mucn SO
do you mean to imply
"I imply nothing, l am only giVln
you hint"
The valet opened the door Tor ID
.nd at that moment a closed cab dro'
mn. a Young man alighted and RENAME
talking to a lady inside. A lace We
hid her face.
who is that?" I asked the valet
"That's Monsieur Alfred" ne I
plied, with the shadow OF snee
"and that woman inside is his friel
Tips"
who is Tips?"
mot much good.
Z Alfred, apparently was not 8 pe
soma grata.
Thus far had no clue whatever
therefore resolved not to act before
had seen both the baron anu AiIreo.
In my office two inspectors met
with smiling faces.
You were right, sir" said Oh
"about these bicycle thieves. we
rested them this morning and tou