South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-07-17
THE FIFTH THEFT----By Cecil Aaytsr

next. the most valuable of the
Lington wedding presents. taken In
broad daylight, while the bride was
changing into her travelling frock.
That occurred not six weeks after
the Rockfeld outrage. Then came
the disappearance OF Lord Borton's
family heirlooms from a locked safe
in strong-room set in the basement
OF Borton Castle Fourthly, the
Dinkworth diamonds, which van
ished last week from the Maryland
Household at Henley.
The fifth case"--
There isn't any fifth case" IN
terposed Dornton in a savage un-
dcrtOne, and tell you I'm not going
to discuss the matter" His round.
red face flushed a deeper tinge.
Duff helped himself carefully to
some more lobster salad.
Well talk about the fifth case
presently he said quietly. a queer
smile playing around the corners of
his thin-lipped mouth. so far not
a single clue as 20 who committed
those four burglaries has been I'M
earthed," he went on deliberately.
But | don't mind cOnfessing 10 YOU
that I've worked out a theory by a
process Of sheer logical deduction
which proves convincingly vino the
enterprising burglar is. Duff
broke off TO watch the exit OF the two
pretty girls from the adjoining table.
escorted by the goodlooking youth.
leaving the fourth member of the
group sitting alone idly contemplate
ing the bill and chewing the end OF
an unlighted cigar.
Duff edged his chair round closer
TO DOrnton's, which brought him sit
ting sidewise 10 the solitary man at
the next table.
Il haven't a single shred OF proof"
he went on confidently, TO back up
my theory, but If I'm right 7 shall be
able 10 place conclusive proof in your
hands to- morrow morning"
What on earth do you mean?" de-
manded DOrntOn, eying him in in
credulous establishment. and stung
out OF his official reserve by the
others impressive tone.
IF I'm right" returned Duff. there
will be a fifth burglary to-night-at
Mrs. BOlford's house in Carlton Ter
race Mrs. Bolford is giving a re-
ceptiOn TO all sorts OF big-wigs, in
Guiding a foreign prince. a couple OF
duchesses and quite a sprinkling of
the peerage, TO say nothing of lesser
lights, and there will be enough Jew
elry displayed 10 stock a Bond street
shop. Mrs. BOlford herself owns
some famous diamonds. / figure out
that the man / suspect will be unable
10 resist the temptation to try TO
lift some of the valuables. and IL he
tries the odds are that he'll succeed.
So far he has had things pretty much
his own way"
Who is the man?" demanded
DOrnton brusquely.
Duff glanced round the now almost
deserted restaurant casually. He
took from his pocket a small gold
pencil. folded up the menu, and
wrote something on the back Then.
with a shrug OF his shoulders, he
twisted the menu into a tight ball
and aimed il accurately at a bank OF
plants decorating a corner close at
hand
"On second thoughts | won't let
you lhtu tuc otAlct NO-HikAls DcIn-
ton he said with a whimsical smile.
Il am afraid you couldn't resist the
temptation 10 have him watched so
closely that il would spoil my beau
tiful theory. and do away with my
chance OF catching him red-handed
tonight. You see. as yet, he hasn't
the faintest suspicion that he Is sus-
peCted. and as long as he remains
trate his energies on HE fifth coup
unhampered What about coffee and
HQueurs on the lounge?" he said in a
sudden change OF tone. He got up
abruptly and sauntered out. followed