The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-08

visit was not the prelude to that" and
he pinted to the broken safe.
Before the detective could make any
answer the door opened and the Hindu
was ushered in by the two men.
I'VE found him by the passage, sir.
and thought we had better detain him
for inquiries" said one of the men to
the detective. He seems to answer
the description"
ION the principle that all colored
men are alike. eh?" the detective snap
ped. you said. Mr.. Brandon. a Hindu
or two had visited you recently. Is
this one of them?"
Mr.. Brandon looked at the Hindu,
who returned his glance unflinchingly.
TT is difficult to say. I think not"
The Hindu smiled.
You see. there is some mistake. I
accept your apology. and I go my way.
These mistakes will happen. know"
zone moment" said the detective.
where are you going?"
ION my own affairs"
Eyes, but on what business?"
cit is private"
Tell me who you are going to see,
and can send man with you to make
| sure you are all right. I'm detec-
tive, you understand, and 1 have to be
careful
What do you want?
"a jewel-a stone, an emerald"
"a jewel! But what has it to do with
me?"
Nothing, maybe; but there Is an
idea a Hindu stole it, and"
81 have not made any such sugges-
ton" said Brandon. as your line Of
argument quite fair?"
81 think So" the detective answered.
! and then. turning to the Hindu, he
went on: You have no objection to
being searched?"
! But have. You have my word; II
is enough"
"Only if you let me send man with
you to see where you are gaing and
what your business is
THAT I shall not do.''
/ Search him, them
Really must protest" said Bran
don. 81 cannot think you have war
rant for this procedure"
81 thank you SIR" said the Hindu,
spreading out his arms. See. my pock-
cts. Look in them. and then I go my
way"
He would have passed the examina-
ton successfully had not the detec-
! tive thought of his turban.
Pardon" he said; and then as the
Hindu made an effort to retain his
property, the detective uttered a sharp
exclamation. What is this? Sus-
picious."
From the folds of the turban he
| took stone, green, an emerald of great
size.
rs that it. Mr.. Brandon"
The merchant took it. looked at It,
then at the Hindu.
"Eyes, it is the stone"
| lyon are sure ?"
Gould there be two such gems in
the world?" he asked. Yes, this is
the stone called the blue emerald be-
cause of a blue tinge in the green. the
| colonl said, although I confess do NOT
| see it."
The Hindu stood erect and defiant.
at Is my affair."" he said. you rob
me-"
You'll get every chance to prove
your innocence" the detective said.
Don't you talk now. because 1 shah
have to use anything you say in evil
dence against you. Keep quiet until
shall 1eav two of my men on the
premises for the present. Mr.. Brandon
I am not satisfied that our friend here
is the chief culprit"
81 am inclined to agree with Won 81
the merchant answered 'T do not un-
derstand the business at ALL"
Nor do I yet, but we have secured
the stone; that is the great point"
The detective and the Hindu passed
through the passage and got into q
waiting taxi. A few people glanced a,
them. but the loss and recovery of the
stone had not yet become public
knowledge; the facts were not known
} even in the offices of Wilkinson Bran
don & Co. so no one suspected that a
prisoner was being taken to the police
) station. During the afternoon, how.
ever. a rumor went through the office
4 that the Hindu was a thief and thai
he had escaped. One of the constable.
left on the premises had heard 1t from
constable on duty in Fenchurcr
street. He did not know particular
but thought the detective had beer
overpowered in the taxi on the way II
} the station. and that the prisoner baf
: slipped out unnoticed by the drive,
while the taxi was held I'D for a mo.
ment in the traffic. One OF the clerks
when he went to the private room. toll
|, Mr.. Brandon, who laughed at the stor,
as absurd. The detective was not :
man to be caught mapping in tina,
way.
; AS many successes do. Mr.. Brandon,