The Virginia enterprise., 1913-01-17

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We of Madame H, and
WV crowds of well-dressed
NV people elbowed their
~ way to the salons on
" the first floor 1t was a
few days before Made
moiselle Yyonne Il S marriage, and
a big display had been made of the
trousseau 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,
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 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.
1t was discovered that costly pen
dant had mysteriously disappeared,
and early the next morning l was in
the Rue du General Appert, seated op-
posite Madame H (the widow of
wealthy merchant), her daughter
Yvonne, and fat, red-faced, pompous
gentleman, whom the ladies addressed
as Uncle Jerome. He was loudest in
his lamentations. and I soon discover
ed the reason: the pendant had been
presented by him. and he seemed to
take it as a personal affront that the
thief should have selected his gift.
I had many questions to ask, so that
l had to cut him short and beg the
ladies to show me the glass case from
which the jewel had been abstracted.
This case was absolutely intact, and
the thief must have watched his op
portunity to raise it unobserved. Only
man with a cool head and steady
hand would have dared to attempt
this in 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. I came to the con-
clusion that they knew nothing, and
that no information of value could be
voiced relative
While I was examining the room In
search Of possible clue, I 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 Il, 1T 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. Il think
this was quite enough for one after
noon"
81 think 80 too," interrupted the
uncle; "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 it makes
1t very awkward for me-very! l in
troduced him here"
rough sketch Of the pendant. 1t was
of Oriental design set with large dia-
monds, ending in a small lotus flower.
I also asked for the address of the
baron, whom l wanted to see about
the coat, and learned he was a Rus
sian, very rich. living in the Avenue
de rAlma. AS l rose to leave. Uncle
Jerome insisted on a minutes private
conversation.
"Monsieur Goron," he began when
We were alone. Il did not like to speak
before my sister-in-law; but l consid
er it my duty to mention certain
gentleman to you-Alfred o., rel
ative by marriage of Madame H, a
good-for-nothing, who has been mixed
up in several ugly affairs. l begged
my sister-in-law repeatedly not to re
ceive him: but he plays the funny
man. amuses the ladies, and makes
himself at home here-too much So
do you mean to imply
81 imply nothing, am only giving
you hint"
The valet opened the door for me
and at that moment closed cab drove
up: Young man alighted and remained
talking to lady inside. A lace vel
hid her face.
Who is that?" l asked the valet
'That's Monsieur Alfred" he re
piled, with the shadow of a sneer
"and that woman inside is his frient
Tips.
Who is Tips?"
mot much good"
Alfred apparently was not a per
soma grata. -
Thus far had no clue whatever.
therefore resolved not to act before
had seen both the baron and Alfred.
In my office two inspectors met m
with smiling faces.
"You were right, sir" said one
"about these bicycle thieves. We al
rested them this morning, and foun
about twenty cycles in the place 70
mentioned"
Nodding to his companion: "Tha
will be good news for Tips. Hers wa
among the DOT
Who the deuce is Tips? This
the second time within an hour | hea