Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-11-05
"wbo took ity


/ no light in the room, couldn't see who
he was. gave a cry. and he sprane
I upon me. put that thing In my mouth
and tied me In the chair. Then be
I said that II didn't tell him where
I the Hardcastle diamond was be would
kill me. To save my life | told him
I that 1t was under my pillow ON the
bed. He took Ii and left me as You
see."
| The afternoon London newspapers
published the fact of the loss Of the
diamond. but refrained from giving
any elew to the robber. Scotland Yard
officials looked wise and said nothing.
They did not even watch the nleasiy
chap with the red head. But Mrs.
Striker, to make sure that the news Of
the loss of her diamond reached New
York, cabled the Fact to her husband.
and an account OF the robbery APP
peared In all the afternoon journals.
People In London were surprised ut
the apathy OF the police In the matter.
But there was one man among them
who was not apathetic. Chaplain.
There was u supplementary game on
hand that he did not mention 70 Sti-
yers. He wished TO discover that the
diamond was still In Mrs. Strikers pos
session and receive several thousand
pounds hush money. When the lady
left her room he entered ii with
pass key and looked In every nook for
the gem. There was not hollow ar
ticle or one that could be made hol.
low in the room that be did not TAKE
TO pieces. The stone might be con-
tanned In one OF a cluster OF artificial
grapes ornamenting one Of number Of
hats he found In the room. and he de-
molished every grape without finding
what he looked for. Some bell shaped
buttons be cracked. with the same neg
alive result At last he was obliged
to give up the job.
Meanwhile the red beaded man came
and went in and out of the hotel. The
landlord was anxious to get rid OF him.
but had no excuse TO turn him out
Indeed. he was requested by Chaplain
not TO do So Chaplain was not sure
tome cue might not yet be derived from
him But nothing turned up. At the
sailing Of the RorDania, Chaplain stood
on the dock After the gangplank had
been removed and the vessel was well
out. who should he see waving his hand
to him with a sardonic smile on his
face but the measly red headed man
he had sat Up all night to watch. The
Londoner stood gaping at the fellow
till lie was out OF sight. then turned
away muttering lmprecations on the
whole "blarsted" Yankee nation.
Mrs. Striker kept her stateroom for
a day or two, then appeared on deck.
Everybody on board had heard OF her
loss. and those who had an acquaint-
ance with her commiserated with her
for H. She tossed her head and
laughed as though the matter were Of
no great Importance TO her, as indeed
il was not. for she was rich enough to
buy more gems at the same price.
When the Romania was steaming up
New York bay. among the crowd Of
passengers standing on the deck was
Mrs. Striker. She wore a very large
hat trimmed deliberately. that she had
bought In London not two hours be-
fore leaving her hotel for the steamer.
She deserted motorboat flying pc
euliar flag put out from Staten Island
and heading directly for the steamer.
When il had come within few hun
dred yards OF her gust Of wind took
her beautiful hat and dropped IL on
a..
rived so timely received II and sped
away merrily.
Ii did not get very far before it was
stopped Seen after the Romania
passed Sandy Hook another motorboat
was seen following her. and the red
headed man from London from the
stern was making signals to 1t. which
were evidently understood. AS soon
as the first boat rescued the hat the
second gave IL chase. overhauled II and
took II In charge.
When Mrs. Striker reached the dock
IN New York she was arrested for
smuggling The hat was produced.
and in a large swelling ornament was
the Hardeastle diamond The face
had been removed. the stone inserted
and the face soldered in its place again.
How did You get on 10 the bust
ness, Watkins 2 asked the customs In
spector.
We'll. you see. l was sent over to
track the man who absconded from the
til National bank and was In Lon
don when the lady bought the stone
/ reckoned she might try 10 get It in
free Of duty. and l took room direct
ly opposite hers at the hotel. She put
up job Of robbery on the Londoners
In order that it might be cabled over
here and put you fellows on your
guard a Scotland Yard man got on TO
the business. but not on to its true in
wardness The way located It was
this: While shadowing the lady | saw
her buy some solder. and the last thing
she bought in London was the hat that