The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-07-14
Winthrop Solves a
Jewel Robbery
@. ls2I. western Newspaper Union
By MURIEL BLAIR

carried with ii no implication OF per.
sonai dishonesty. There had been SC
many OF such thefts recently, how.
ever. that an example OF presumable
carelessness must be made Unfor.
tunately they had begun with me.
II it had not been for the stenog-
rapher, Miss Lura YeSey, think ]
should have packed up instanter TO re-
turn to my native town, disguised with
jewelers. in general and Justly indig-
nant at GoIdstein & Co. After l had
parted with several good friends
among the clerks who honestly re
gretted my departure, 1 wss surprised
to find Miss Yesey at my side, just as
/ was leaving the place. She was in
tears. She placed a sisterly, affection
ate hand on my arm in a pleading
sympathetic way that softened me.
you viii not get discouragedT she
said.
'Does it matter muchg" I jerked
out, still wroth ar my summary dis
missal.
1T does to me-" she replied earn
estly, more than you think It mat
tiers TO my brother, TOO, Mr. Winthrop.
You found him good position, and he
will be always grateful. If can help
you"
But 1 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 1 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 story teller, but
to look ahead little, my hard think
ing assured me that / might make a
good detective.
Ny 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 bland. bright-eyed old
man. I told my story. I 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, ehT' he inquired.
81 am certain of IT."
"See here" said the secretary, 81
like your talk. Nobody thinks of sus-
pecting you. for these robberies have
become an everyday event. I want
to say this, however: If you succeed
In running down the gang who are
guilty of these systematic populations,
the Jewellers Board of Trade viii pay
you a reward Of one thousand dollars"
I struck my quarry the third day.
AT street corner occupied by. one OF
the leading diamond houses, my at
tention was attracted to a man and q
woman conversing. Then both en-
tered the diamond shop. The woman
was chewing gum.
I 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. Her
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.
1 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 fioorwalker and ran
out from behind the counter.
'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. / gIided up to the spot
where they had stood at the counter.
I slipped my fingers along the under
edge OF the show case.
The two suspects came cut OF the
retiring rooms threatening but trfum-
plant. The missing gems had not been
found.
Il shall start q suit through my
lawyer at once" said my man, and
moved towards the counter against
which his umbrella rested.
wait" said. and blocked his way
Examine that" added, extending
an apple core TO the astonished clerk.
And that" and 1 handed a wad Of
gum TO the f1oorwalkeR
'What does this meanT inquired
the salesman vaguely. and then his
eye rested on a sparkling eye Of light
imbeded In the fruit. At the same
moment the foorwaIker discovered
the second gem in the gum, which the
def woman swindIer had stuck on the
under rim Of the counter, where had
found IT.
The man turned red, then white.
The woman tainted I telephoned the
jewelers. Board Of Trade. Its secre-
tary appeared in person. then the Pc
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