Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-02-27
a course I was liable to get into iron.

FOR a room where l would get more
light. He gave me one facing the
street A porter came and transferred
my baggage, and betook myself with
the brooch to my new quarters,
thought l saw some advantage In this
removal in the fact that In case of
my being accused | could claim that
the stolen property had been taken
away after l had left the room.
remained In my new quarters but
few minutes, when, taking the brooch
with me, l went out to my banker
and asked him to deposit It with some
other articles-I had made bundle
of all-in his safe.
now felt better about the situation,
for l could take my own time about
the return of the brooch and could not
see that there was any evidence
against me that could be made availa-
BILE by the thief. At any rate, was
ready to take the risk of becoming In
volved, and since the property could
not BIO found ON me and could estab.
lish my responsibility l had not much
to fear.
did not return to my hotel till even
ing and went at once to bed. The
next morning l lounged about the no
tel, keeping my ears open for any
word about stolen property, but heard
nothing and did not dare ask any ques-
lions lest my showing knowledge of
the loss should implicate me. While
l was In the reading and writing room
Of the hotel saw my American friends
come downstairs ready to go out. The
father had n long conference with the
landlord, which, with other evidence
possessed, tended to tho theory that
the brooch in my possession belonged
to the formers daughter. He left the
landlord, saying loud enough for me
to hear, "You may offer 10000 francs"
This settled the matter with me. II
occurred to me to make confession
then and there, but before | could
bring myself to do so the four mem
bers Of the family left the hotel, en-
tered cab. and, since l went out d.
rectly behind them, heard the gentle
man direct the driver to take them to
luO DuluS Vi Curucullu.
Turning into the Corso Umberto,
walked to the Piazza Colonna, and
taking seat ut one Of tho sidewalk
restaurants to be found there, l called
for liter of wine and, slipping and
smoking, bethought myself what next
to do. After making up my mind
returned to the hotel, looked at the
register and saw the names Edward
Il. Larned. Mrs Larned, Miss Larned
and Ned Larned. Going to my room,
wrote to Mr.. LArned, stating that
n valuable brooch had come into my
possession which believed had been
stolen. A hair had chung to It OF a
peculiar shade. | had noticed the
shade Of hair of the young Indy be-
longing to his party. and since the one
clinging to the brooch appeared to be
Of the same hue suspected that both
might be hers. If he would inform
me that my surmise was correct
should be happy to restore the lost ar.
tlcle.
fiattered myself that had the ad
vantage OF the gentleman In not ask
Ing him to prove property. took my
note down TO the landlord for delivery
then left the hotel and did not return
to 1t till after II o'clock the same
night
found Mr.. Larned up whiting for
me, | had no sooner entered the hotel
than the landlord pointed me out 10
him and chino, Al
that he had received my note and TINT
my surmise was correct. His daugh.
ter had left the brooch In her room
without locking II In her trunk as was
their custom with their valunbles, and
1t Ind doubtless been stolen by n sery
ant. told him that was very happy
to be able to restore the lost property.
but could not do so till the next dny
since had taken It TO my banker
for safe keeping. lie stnmmered
something about having offered re-
ward, but pretended not TO hear him.
and, telling him that would meet him
with the brooch In the reading room
the next day at noon, we went up to
our respective rooms In the snme ele-
vator.
When | delivered the brooch the
next day Mr.. Larned said that his
daughter desired nm opportunity to
thank me for returning II, and he In.
vited me to lunch with his family II
is needless to say TINT accepted the
invitation and received charming
smile from the young Indy ms well M
her thanks.
How lucky" she said, that one OF
my hairs chung TO the brooch! Had II
not been so I presume would not
have recovered my property"
She evidently did not consider that
IL was my bounden duty on finding
the brooch TO turn 1t over TO the land
lord, and did not enIIghten her
II had remarked" | said, "the SINH.
larity OF your hair TO that In Titian's
portraits, and since the single hair was
the same was sure the property was
yours"
Have you the hair with your
II have not"
81 should like to see IT,"
II shall be pleased TO show II to you.
but you must remember that a reward
usually goes with restored property"
knew that she understood, for she
dropped her eyes, and when she spoke
again she changed the subject.
That was how I secured an intro
ductlon to the American girl and how
! found my wife for after travelling
several months In company we return.
oil m ATnnrira au0aooH