Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-01-21


detective looked at me as much as to
say, II told you So"
would you be willing" ! continued
10 her, Ito leave the property in my
keeping till the true ownership can be
settled?
For the first time she regarded me
critically. Then she said. II would
trust you implicitly"
took out my card and handed 1t to
her Il see no need for you to remain
here longer" said when the mat
ter is settled | will return the box and
its contents"
mot so fast, please" said the man.
Il will not release the young woman
until | am informed what you propose
to do with the finds
81 will go with you to a police Of
fee, where | win surrender the prop
erty. Then the young lady can go
there in company with her lawyer,
make her claim and prove that it be
longs to her"
81 am not to be done out of my fee
for the detective work ! have accom-
plished in any such fashion," said the
man. Besides. there is reward of.
fered for the return of the jewelry."
1t would seem that all | had TO do
was to call policeman and direct him
to take us to the station, where an In
vestigation would take place. My re-
spectability and that Of the lady
would be proved, and she could also
bring evidence that the diamond cross
belonged to her; but, irrespective of
his dislike TO going with police off,
Ger, suppose the man should concoct a
story such as he had attempted to
palm off on me. adding that which
would implicate her? A sensitive per
son shriDks from accusations, no mat
ter how false Judging from what
had seen of the man believed that he
would not hesitate to brand the girl
as thief or TO make false statement
to show that | was implicated with
! her.
This affair."" | said to the man, Civ.
ing him knowing look, had better
be settled between you and me.
think | can persuade the young lady
to recompense you for any loss you
may make in your detective fees"
His case was not very strong, and
my suggestion that blackmail would be
paid had a wholesome effect upon
him. He assented to my proposition
and permitted the young lady to go
her way So distressed was she at the
likelihood of being accused of having
stolen her own property that verify
believe she thought little of intrusting
her cross to a stranger and would have
/ preferred to be out of the scrape rath-
er than remain in it in possession Of
her property.
| took her name and address, and
as soon as she had gone l said to the
man: Come with me- This is no
place to talk" We left the restaurant
together. and asked him II he would
suggest a place where we could hold a
conference. He hesitated. + inferred
that he would be glad to take me
where he might get me in his power,
but did not believe that l would be
fool enough to go with him. At any
rate. he said:
Anywhere you like. All wish is to
be assured of my fees and that the
young lady is the real owner of the
property,
How about the rewardY' asked.
las to that" he stammered, if the
young lady can prove that she owns
the property. then 1t can't be the same
that / am employed to trace
Would you object to going to my
rooms?" asked.
We were passing third rate hotel,
and he said he would prefer going In
there. so we entered and went into the
writing room.
"How much do you want to let up
On this matter?' | asked.
"How would FIVE hundred suit your"
MAKE it half that and 1t is a CO."
Agreed
took out a pocket check book. He
stopped me. Cash, please" he said.
My doubts as to his being a detec-
tive had given place to a belief that
he was not. and by this time l felt
sure that he had come down from a
scheme to get possession of the cross
to leyying blackmail.
VERY we'll" / said. "Of course
haven't the amount about me, but
can send to my bank for it."
drew a check for $3.50 and, calling
a waiter-for he would not permit me
to leave him-asked him to send the
proprietor to me. When the latter
came l asked him to send the check
to the bank for the cash on my check.
He did so, and on receiving 1t count.
ed It carefully, pricking several Of the
bills with q pin as | did so. Then
handed the man the money. He left
the hotel, I following him till | saw
a policeman, whom asked to ar.
rest him.
The moment the cop laid a hand on
him and the rascal, turning, saw me
his countenance fell, After leaving
him at the police station called Oh
the young lady and handed her her
diamond cross. After hearing what
! had occurred since she had left me
with the blackmailer she made no OBJ
lection to appearing as q witness at
the trial. The pin pricks in the bills
paid him proved my charge, and he
was sent to the penitentiary for term
I Of years,
! | made Il charming acquaintance I'm