The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1917-01-11
The Prefect
OF Police
Story Of a Stolen Necklace
In Valparaiso.
By GEORGE CATHERWOOD

udu Juob ShOuSA DioiASS oiio oioSo
in his talk to be true to his name.
However, he was an expert in his
line and at the time was on his way
to Brazil to buy diamonds for a
New York firm.
Tom Hargraves and I had plan
ned to spend the winter months in
the tropics, so when the steamer
reached Panama We said goodby to
our friend O'Rorle and went ashore,
but the torrid heat of the day and
the cold nights made the climate
disagreeable, so we soon went on
southwark, and the following month
we reached Chile.
Hargreaves and l put on cool
white suits, such as are worn in
South American countries, and
went down to the late evening meal,
the fashionable one of the day at
Chilean hotels.
As a waiter bowed us to table
we Unexpectedly came on our old
friend O'Rorke, who was dining
with another American. When he
caught sight of US his good natured
Irish face broadened into a smile.
"Hello, fellows~ he cried, shak-
ing hands cordially. '1'm certainly
glad to find you here"
T thought you we're in the wilds
of Brazil" said, laughing.
T was for awhile" he answered,
"but I'm going home now. I came
over to Valparaiso to see my friend
here, the consul" And, turning to
his companion at the table, who had
risen, he introduced us.
"Mr. Cuthbert, two friends Of
mine from the States, Mr.. Har-
graves and Mr.. Moore"
The consul greeted US heartily
when q messenger appeared and
handed him q note.
T have little time of my own"
said the consul, and, e1cusing him
self, he left the room.
Through a nearby window the
evening air came in with delightful
coolness after the heat Of the cay,
and in the gay surroundings the
meal passed happily. The majority
Of the tables we're surrounded by
wealthy natives, and the chatter Of
the Spanish language sounded in
cessantly.
Many OF the women wore jewels,
and as we passed out our attention
was attracted especially to corner
table near the door, where a man
in uniform sat with one of the most
beautiful Spanish women I had ever
seen. I think her beauty first at
tracted me, though all noted the
elegant necklace that encircled her
throat and the large diamond that
formed it's central ornament. In a
moment we had passed on, and a
screen separated us from the couple
at the table.
"Did you see that woman% e1-
claimed Hargraves.
eyes," I replied, "and her dia-
mond necklace"
81 got only glimpse of it," said
O'Rorke, "but it was a beauty"
We stopped in the doorway, and
as waiter approached o'Rorke mo-
toned toward the screen and asked,
~Who is the lady at the first table%
The servant replied in broken
English, 'Senors Garcias, the own
er of the Pasaje."
"And the gentleman?" GRorke
pursued.
The waiter looked surprised at
the question "The prefect OF pe-
lice," he said in an awed whisper.
We sat on the veranda smoking
until it was late. Then Jim remem-
bered stiletto be had bought as a
souvenir and went up to his room to
get it.
A few minutes later . disturb
ancs came from within. A woman
screamed, and . mans voice called
out in Spanish.
Hargraves and I rushed in With
the other guests that had heard the
noise, and at the foot Of the stairs .
strange sight met our eyes. Lying
PROSTATE en- the floor was the beau
tiful Sonora Gareias, with eyes dos
ed and hair dishsveled, while around
her neck vas . red band, almost
bleeding, as though the necklace
had been snatched of With violence.
Up on the stairs the prefeet Crap
pied With ORorke, and as they
svayed back and forth With uneer-