Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1921-06-30
Winthrop Solves a
Jewel Robbery
o. 1921, western Newspaper Union.
By MURIEL BLAIR

from jeWelry tray in the case under
my charge. Goldsten & Co. had acted
promptly | was notified that my serv-
ices were no longer required. The
senior partner OF the firm took great
pains TO inform me that my dismissal
carried with 1t no implication of per-
sonai dishonesty. There had been so
many of such thefts recently, how
ever, that an example of presumable
carelessness must be made. Unfor~
tunately they had begun with me.
If it had not been for the stenog-
rapher, Miss Lura Vesey, think l
should have packed up inStanter to re-
turn to my native town, disguised with
jewellers in general and justly indig-
nant at Goldstein & Co, After / had
parted with several good friends
among the clerks who honestly re-
GREETED my departure, ! was surprised
to find Miss Vesey at my side, just as
| was leaving the place She was in
tears. She placed a sisterly, affection
ate hand on my arm in pleading
sympathetic way that softened me,
you will not get discouraged?" she
said
Does it matter much?" | jerkeG
out, still wroth at my summary dis
missal.
1T does to me-" she replied earn
estly more than you think. 1t mat
tiers to my brother, too,Mr, Winthrop.
You found him a good position, and he
will be always grateful. If / can help
you"
But / shook my head dejectedly.
"At least let me hear how you get
along" she added, and there was a
tremor In her voice that inspired me
with the idea that | had one sterling
friend in the world.
SO | promised her, and went on my
way. | remembered all about that
missing antique ring. In fact, | knew
the man who had stolen it, At least
| thought | did.
| am not much of a story teller but
to look ahead a little, my hard think
ing assured me that | might make
good detective.
My first step was to go to the Jewel
ers Board of Trade. That was where
they kept the records of the trade, and
! knew mine would follow me. The
secretary was Il bland bright-eyed old
man. | told my story. l also recited
my suspicious. | could see that he
was becoming interested in me.
you think the man who palmed the
missing antique ring today is a pro
fessional, eh?" he inquired.
81 am certain Of it"
"See here" said the secretary, II
like your talk. Nobody thinks of sus-
pecting you, for these robberes have
become an everyday event. / want
to say this, however: If you succeed
In running down the gang who are
guilty of these systematic peculations,
the jewelers. Board of Trade viii pay
you a reward of one thousand dollars"
! struck my quarry the third day.
At a street corner occupied by one Of
the leading diamond houses, my at
tentiOn was attracted to a man and q
woman conyersing Then both en-
tered the diamond shop The woman
was chewing gum.
followed them as far as the win
dow, and noted their every movement.
The fashionably dressed woman was
shown a tray of unset stones. The man
proceeded to eat an apple She asked
to be shown some other gems. Hog
companion drew nearer to the tray. /
saw the woman take her gum from her
mouth. Then the man tossed the core
Of the apple into the street and came
back to the side of his companion.
| was. after that apple core double
quick.
Apparently the couple had found
nothing to suit them and started to
leave the store. Suddenly the sales
man called to the floorwalker and ran
out from behind the counter.
1.-TWO diamonds are missing from
the tray, he declared
"You must submit to a search" said
the clerk firmly.
They accompanied the salesman,
who was joined by lady clerk, to re-
firing rooms l glided up to the spot
where they had stood at the counter.
l slipped my fingers along the under
edge Of the show case
The two suspects came out of the
retiring rooms threatening but trium-
plant The missing gems had not been
found
al shall start a suit through my
lawyer at once" said my man, and
moved towards the counter against
which his umbrella rested.
Wait pid, and blocked his way
Examine that" I added, extending
an apple core to the astonished clerk.
And that" and I handed wad of
gum to the floorwalker.
What does this mean?" inquired
the salesman vaguely, and then his
eye rested on q sparkling eye Of light
lmbeded In the fruit. At the same
moment the doorwalker discovered
the second gem in the gum, which the
def woman swlndler had stuck on the
under rim Of the counter where I had
found ii,
The man turned red, then white.