Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-10
Fiction
Gentleman
Thief Who
Robs Guests
at Society $
Most
Fashionable
Fashionable

work again after the absence of
several years-n fact since the first
year of the war?
Did he serve under one of the warning
governments and has he returned more
skilful and boioer than ever?
Or was the cessation of his activities
due to the fact that jewels were not worn
during the war?
Are men and women OF wealth and fash
ion actually rubbing shoulders with some
one who dances, dimes and plays bridge
with them only for the sake OF stealing
their diamond rings. pearl earrings and
other jewels at the first favorable oppor-
tuniiy?
These are questions that are agitating
all Newport and are dulling the brilliance
of what had promised TO he one of the
most notable seasons in the resorts his
tory
One moment beautiful matron is wear
ing her full complement OF jewe!s-the
next moment one OF her priceless pearl
earrings is gone! A debutante is wear
ing more than priceless diamond brooch
as she dances or talks animatedly in the
brightly lighted ballroom. She clutches
the front of her low-cut bodice-her dia.
monds have disappeared.
a financial magnate Of worldwide rep
utation sits at large and formal dinner.
His shirt front bears the usual two studs,
pearls they are, perfectly matched and
worth kings ransom. AS he leaves the
table there is the necessary slight con-
fusion, and as he and his companions move
slowly toward the doorway lie discovers
that one Of his studs is missing.
There is Of course. in every instance,
much searching about. but the jewels are
never found 1t sounds like witchcraft.
How can perfectly visible articles disap-
pear completely from sight? If jewel
or any article Of value is lost in room
filled with ones friends and social equals
ii must just naturally be found-un-
less And right here is the crux OF
the whole disturbing situation in gay and
beautiful Newport-unless there is thief
in the party sId a tcrrifyingly expert and
efficient Onat
Larceny from the person, as these thefts
arc legally classed is most delicate
operation. Il is far more difficult and
hazardous than rifing safe or silver
chest Plenty OF nerve and knowledge
of burglars tools make the, gentle art Of
burglary q fairly easy one 10 follow
Lenox, for example, is wildly excited
over a series OF house robberies jewels
and plate worth huge sums OF money have
been stolen at night from well-cuarded
houses. These burglaries are annoying
and al! that but they are underst anda BILE;
they do not smack OF mystery.
The Newport affair is very different and
leads TO bu, one conclusion-there must
be "Raffles" in the Summer colony!
And this man or woman must not only
have the entree 10 the most exclusive
homes, hut must also have The absolute
confidence OF Viewpoints social leaders.
In no other way can the theft of Mrs.
John Wanamaker, Jr's, pearl earring and
her husbands pearl Shirt stud be ex-
planned In no other way can Mrs John
Borlanf- wife Of LeutenantC Commander
Borland. Of tho navy. explain the mystery
OF the disappearance of her diamond and
platinum brooch
Then there is Mrs. William Miller Ora.
hams dinner guest, woman who will
not allow her name TO be published who
lost rare and unusual brooch at one OF
Mrs Grahan's July dinners There were
twelve souare-cut diamonds of the purest
water set in frame of exquisite hand.
wrought platinum. This bauble oddly
enough. had been talked about at the din
ner, for the woman is not only social
leader, but Is noted for her jewel collec.
tion, and being among friends she in.
discreetly mentioned something of the
value OF the beautifully cut stones Before
. the evening was over her brooch was gone.
The consensus OF opinion is that IL he is
not the old "Raffies" then a new and more
r daring "Raffles' has crept into Newport and
is successfully robbing the very mon and
women who have graciously accented him
Although there is a possibility that the
thief may be woman, logic points TO its
being man. Society not insreouently IN
the past accepted men Of good address
and possessed Of al least one decen. dress
suit even though they had nothing else to
bless themselves with. These men were usu
ally dancers or Founders OF similar trade
With the coming Of the war bars were let