The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1913-04-04
A Coral
Sleeve Button
By ALLAN c.. LAMOND

of display he had considerable jewelry
for a man-which was taken. The po-
lice learned of the missing articles so
far as they could be determined and
gave a description of them to Giuseppi
Varilli, member of the carabinieri,
or national police, who was given the
case to make out Of it what he could
There was missing one gold chronom-
eter watch. two gold chains, a number
of shirt studs and other articles Of
similar character. The assassin and
robber in making his exit had dropped
a link sleeve button on the floor They
make in Italy of pink coral exquisite
adornments, and this single sleeve but
ton was twin roses of the most deli
cate carving, set in gold.
Varilli looked at it admiringly. who
ever has the mate to it," he said, will
scarcely be able to refrain from wear
ing it, so beautiful is it. If he had it
as we'll as its mate. he will surely be-
tray himself on account Of it." How
ever. the officer put it in his vest pocket
with the vague expectation that it
might lead to clew.
The murder had been committed at
an hour when a number of persons
were about, but no one could be found
who would admit that he had seen any
one in the building who did not belong
% us = ION,
Varilli, who knew the criminal side of
Naples well, assumed that this ret
icence indicated that the murderer was
a member of the dreaded Camorra, and
if any one dared to peach upon him
he would do so at the risk Of his life.
A year passed without the slightest
clew to the Lancani murder. Several
of the missing articles Of jewelry turn
ed up, but were always found on per-
sons above suspicion. They were
ready to tell where they got them, but
either the person from whom they
were obtained or the next possessor be-
yOnd could not remember just how the
jewel had come to him. But the sleeve
button was never regained. lit is too
beautiful" said Varilli 1.-THE rascal
will not part with it. He will not
wear it In his cuff. for he has no mate
for it. He will not get mate made.
for he can only secure one from skill
ed carver, such as made the one he
has. Were in his place l would have
it made into two studs. would not
turn it into scarfpin, for one rose
would do for that. and could not use
the other rose. Yes, that is the only
thing to do with it, and if the assassin
wears it he will do so as a couple of
shirt studs. He will wear a necktie
and not scarf, because the scarf
would hide it. My theory rests on the
idea that his vanity will get the better
Of his caution"
One day Varilli's chief started him
to London, where news had been re-
ceived that a certain bandit, who had
murdered traveller on the road be-
tween Sorrento and Amalfi who could
not or would not furnish a ransom, was
living apparently in a well to do con-
dition. On his arrival in London Va
rilli sought the Italian quarter, but his
quarry. passing under the name of
Scalpo, was not to be found there
Varilli spent couple Of months at
the English capital and was about to
give up his quest and return to Naples
when one evening he entered a music
hall and, taking seat at table, call
ed for the English drink, ale, and a
cigar Unlike nearly all Italians the
detective had light hair and eyes.
Moreover, though he spoke English in
differently, he had learned to speak it
without the italian pronunciation. In
deed, a stranger would have taken him
rather for German than an italian.
Noticing man at the next table to
him sitting alone, he got up and took
seat opposite the other. The man
looked at him with pair of suspicious
eyes from under the rim Of his hat,
evidently not relishing his movement.
Don't disturb YOURSELF" said varilli.
Il think | have seen you in Berlin.
Are you not Herr Berhoff, a brewer?"
Il have neva been in Berlin in ma
life" said the other, showing by his
speech that he was an Italian, "and
am not brewer
Then l have been mistaken" said
Varilli. who had desired to get closer
to the man and hear him speak. "Now
that l see those beautiful coral studs
you wear take 1t you are from Italy.
I have never seen such carving as that
except in Naples"
At this the man changed counte-
nance, involuntarily drawing his coat
over his shirt front. Then he glanced
about him as if looking for an exit.
II am FROM Naples myself" Varilli
went on saying 81 know exactly
where those studs came from. There
is shop in Naples facing the bay
where they are sold. have a pair Of
roses composing link sleeve BUTTON
The man glared and. rising. stood at
bay. Varilli put his hand In his vest
pocket. took out the sleeve button and
held it up before the other.
"ln public music hail." he contin-
ned. lin the center Of London 1t will be
impossible for you to escape. At the
slightest commotion policemen will
come II YOU will go quietly with me