The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-31

M WrlIlnS ali TINS, W1nk1e, SO Jnat
some day you'll read it and under
stand. You'll know then that I was
not quite what you must have thought
me. You'll see. too. that all the wrong
doing wasn't exactly on my part. And
some day. perhaps when it's too late.
you'll understand it was you 1 always
thought of, and you I always loved.
I may not be here myself when you
find this out. for there are risks in this
work-and God Himself only knows
how quickly the end might come.
know what you have thought of me.
can't altogether blame you. But when
you understand things know you will
think differently. And whether I like
to write it or not, I find I can't help
myself 1 just have to get it all off
my mind. This seems to be a sort Of
safety-valve for me.
Ill never forget that evening in the
Inspectors Office, when the whole thing
first started. I'd dipped down into
Chatham Square to talk the Hanna
case over with Toosey Attrill-with
pert and sloe-eyed Toosey, who was
playing stool-pigeon for both the
jewelers. Protective Union and the Sc
curity Alliance. That impossible Toosey
and I hadn't talked through her second
cigarette before a couple of the In
spector's runners were after me like
a pair of ambulance chasers. Sloan
wanted me, they reported, and wanted
me quick. And seeing it was Sloan,
went.
"Balny," he said to me, after he'd
shut the door with the frosted panel
glass. II want you to go up and get
old Grosset's Blue Pearl"
How d'you mean-get ?" I demanded
when my breath had come back to me.
Ia been in that Maiden Lane work
long enough to pick up the family his
tory of most of the bigger stones in
America, and I knew that the man at
the desk was talking about the third
biggest diamond on all the North Amer
lean continent.
steal it," was Sloan's Off handed
reply.
1 sat there cycling him, and he sat
there returning the compliment. I re-
membered that the Blue Pear had been
a product of the De Beers mines, and
because of the beauty Of the stone
many carats had been saved to its
weight, when it was cut in Amsterdam,
by leaving it pear-shaped. 1t had that
rare violet-blue tint which always adds
to the value Of the first water, and I
knew enough Of the trade to remen-
Der that while yellows and browns and
greens were a faint in a stone, blue
itself was an asset and a blessing. Like
al such gems, it had its history of
toll and hardship. and its tangled ro-
mances Of crime and intrigue. And
several years ago an eccentric old coll
lector known as Eleakim Grosset had
brought the jewel to America and added
it to his private collection.
tits this way, Balmy," said Sloan in
a Nnn6danfta1
to take a fall. and take it right in
public"
could understand what he was say
ing, in a way, but my mind refused to
grasp the idea.
We've got a situation here we can't
sit and joke over" announced the In
spector, with a shoulder-movement Of
Impotence. The war in the old world
has run our annual gem imports up to
over thirty millions. But during these
last few months, when we've been
turning into the worlds biggest mar
ket for precious stones, there's a bunch
OF diamond thieves who's been getting
altogether too busy. I don't want to
crouch about 'ern. but they're beating
US at the game. And neither the Pro-
tective Union nor the Security Alliance
Is able to cope with EN-"
Then why take it out on me?" I
not unnaturally inquired.
I'm not taking anything out on you
I'm giving you a chance any other
operative would snap at. What I want
Balmy. Is to get you inside their en-
trenchments. In plain English, want
that collection of gem thieves to see
you get 1t in the neck. And to make
good on your part Of it you're going to
slip up to old Grossets house tonight
and when you get inside you're going
to steal the third biggest diamond in
all America"
Am I, now?" I said, without enthus-
iasm. And probably get sand-bagged
by that old skinf1int or his second cook
while I'm doing it,"
mo danger of that Balmy, for old
Grosset himself is sick in bed, and this
office Is doing its part. Here's both a
pass-key for the house itself and
floor plan showing how to get into that
gem-room of his. Those figures in the
corner will give you the combination
to the wall safe. And if any second
cook tries to interfere, both Wilkins
and Doyle, remember, will be some
where around to see that nothing seri-
GUS happens to you"
And then what?" demanded
You're going to get the Blue Pearl
pass it on. And that"l be the cue for
Doyle and Wilkins to round you up"
Yes, round me up" repeated, for
ia come to the point where I saw that
the Security Alliance and Balny Rymal
were to part company for life.
1T simply amounts to this: We're
going to put the blocks to you-have
your arrested and publicly announced
as a gem thief"
fright in the open air!"
Its got to be in the open air, as you
call it. That gang has got to know it.
You may even be indicted and given a
sentence. But Wen have the ropes all
laid-laid so it'll only mean going in
one door and being led out the other
And know you're not going to show
the white feather and back away from
the first big chance this office has
given you"