Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-06-03

In my journal when note the many
strange incidents in which l have
played a part, there are pages on
which do not like to dwell. No, do
not care to glance on these pages fin
ishing In a note of Interrogation, SOM
ber dramas of which I have known
only the first two acts because the
principal 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 de Prony."
We have In Paris large colony OF
Spaniards from South America-Chil-
ians, venezuelans, and others, as a
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 charming little house In
the Rue de Prony, and, shortly after
their arrival, gave an entertainment
to which one hundred and forty people
were present.
When Monsieur and Madame Do
minguez went to their bedroom an uri-
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 was
breakfasting, and 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 had been dis
turbed there, and we went at once to
the dressing room, where we found
madame standing with rueful face
before the open safe. No doubt was
possible; 1t was the work Of an artist
in the profession, man with a sure
hand, who had not wasted time over
the business. "
NJ. Dominguez was eyeing me curl
ously.
well, M. Goron?" he said.
'aThis was not the work of begin
ner," replied.
II am clever enough to see that,
too" he remarked with laugh. Then,
after pause: ..-.
The thief must be found, M. Goron.
do you understand? He must be found.
Do not let expense stand in the way;
1 am prepared to put down at once
any sum that may be required.
If M. Dominguez expected a reply
he was disappointed, for ] continued
to make a careful investigation Of the
room in the hope Of finding clue.
was any one in charge of the up
stairs rooms during the evenins?" I
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 always
on the safe, had been placed on that
chair near the bed"
The thief, wohever he was, had ham
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 pa
per cutter, a large affair with an enor-
nous monogram, and there, on the
white ivory, was a 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 it to me. counted the names;
there were sixty-three.
Where are the others?"
Madame turned red, and then said:
you see, M. Goron, we have not
been long in Paris, and I gave my
friends blank invitation cards, which
they filled up and sent to people
among their own set"
Then you don't know even the
names Of the remaining seventy mine
who spent the evening with you?"
well, no; remember perhaps half
a 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 9
big tear in one of the pale yellow cur
tains.
When Dominguez saw this devasta'
tion his temper. never the most equa'
BILE, apparently, again got the better
Of him.
"Dios mio!" he shouted, there's 6
nights entertainment; a fine expen.
sive evening. Everything smashed ant
three hundred thousand francs worth
of property stolen!" His eye wander
ed around the room till it rested or
the piano, and he burst out afresh.
Look at my Erard!" he gasped.
looked, and felt sorry both for the mar
and for the Erard. Punch, champagne
lemonade, every refreshment served
had left a mark on the instrument
without reckoning the scratches ant
knocks, of which it bore numerou.
traces.
Why did I not follow NJ. Domingues
when he walked to the door to conduc
me to the dining room? Why did 81
down on the music stool before tha
tall