The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-02-14
A Coral
Sleeve Button
BY ALLAN C. LAMOND


of display he had considerable jewelry
for a man-whlch 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, a member Of the carabinieri,
or national police, who was given the
case to make out of 1t 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
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 well 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 a 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
there at the time of the assassination.
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
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. at is too
beautiful" said Varilli "The rascal
will not part with it. He will not
wear it in his cuff, for he has no mate
for 1t. 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 a 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 a scarf, because the scarf
would hide 1t. My theory rests on the
idea that his vanity will get the better
of his caution"
One day Varillis chief started him
to London, where news had been re-
ceived that a certain bandit, who had
murdered a traveller on the road be-
tween Sorrento and Amalfi who could
not or would not furnish ransom, was
living apparently in a we'll to do con-
dition. On his arrival in London Va
r1lli 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 a seat at a table, call
ed for the English drink. ale, and a
cigar. Unlike nearly all Italians the |
detective had light hair and eyes |
MOraOVar thouob ba opoI,o E,,It,L l.
differently, he had learned to speak it |
without the Italian pronunciation. In
deed, stranger would have taken him
rather for a German than an Italian.
Noticing man at the next table to !
MIN 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 l 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 it you are from Italy
nave 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 ha pIoncad
about him as If looking for an exit.
Il 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. l have a pair of
'oses 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
l.