Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-04-22
True
Detective Stories
TRIANGULAR FLAW


Copyright by The Wheeler Syndicate. Inc
THERE was as little doubt that
Lord Herbert Laurence Sheffield
belonged TO the nobility as there
was about his nationality--and that
was apparent Immediately from his
monocle and his spats. Every shop
keeper along the Via Shiaia in Naples
knew his lordship, and every one OF
them admitted that more repre-
sentative member Of the British aris-
tocracy had never visited Italy.
Lord Herbert was not only lavish
with his money. but II was whispered
around the Grand Hotel di Napoli that
his daughter. Sylvia, soon was to be
married to one Of the richest men In
England.
Therefore when the English noble
man wandered into the establishment
Of the largest jeweler In Naples some
two months after his arrival In the
city and asked 10 he shown some dia.
mond necklaces, there was an immedi-
ate scurry to wait upon him. Finally
the proprietor himself requested Lord
Herbert TO come into his private Of
flee while he took from the safe
necklace valued at 100000 francs, the
property of a client who was In finan-
cial straits.
Il would like to purchase something
to give my daughter for a wedding
| present" explained the Englishman,
and the jeweler nodded. for the rumors
of the engagement had already reached
his ears. I'm afraid. though con-
tinued his lordship. that this neck.
lace is II little more expensive than |
can afford at the moment. don't
doubt is value. but I'll have to have a
it'll. time 10 think ii over"
"Certainly," agreed the jeweler. II
will be pleased to hold II "a long as
you wish and, should you desire TO
see and examine 1t again. will be
very glad 10 bring 1t 10 the hotel at
| your convenience"
THAT would be excellent" assented
the visitor. but | naturally do not
wish my daughter TO know anything
ter is To be Il surprise 10 her.
a few days later, in response To
Lord Shcilicld's request. the jeweler
took the necklace to the Grand hotel
and found the Engislman alone in
tie room. After Il very careful eX'
animation of the diamonds terms were
agreed upon ana Lord Sheffield had
just produced his letter of credit from
his wallet when Il girls voice was
heard in the corridor, just outside the
door.
My daughter" exclaimed the Eng
lSllnan. she mustn't know any
thing about this" and he swept the
necklace and the wallet into the draw
er of the desk before which he sat. y
moment later Sylvia Sheffield came in
and announced that her fathers tailor
had arrived and wished To see him at
once ~ using himself with the state
mcii ilA he would be back very
! s,r..is i.n.G iivi;,vii i.fi Inc Iuvin
aI,,. lbs dau.i.ter followed him imme-
dat !y.
Wien half an hour had passed the
jcWeler began to wonder what was de-
tanning his client. but he didn't worry
IN the least because his necklace and
his lordship's wallet were there in the
drawer of the desk. right under his
hand. The transaction involved too
much money to warrant any impa.
thence. SO il was not until two hours
had slipped by before the ieweler rang
for the hotel clerk and requested To
know what was OBTAINING Lord Shelf
field
Ills lordship and Miss Sylvia left
the hotel nearly two hours ago" was
the reply. "rhey had received II cable
gram from England"
Sensing that he had been robbed, the
jeweler tuggcd NJ the drawer OF the
desk only to find that il was locked.
but moments examination of the
next room sufliced to show that the
wall against which the desk was
placed had been pierced and that the
whole procedure had been a plot 10
lifi the necklace and make q quick
getaway.
detectives in Naples. was Immediately
placed in charge Of The ease aud tr.e-
graphed Ia Rome Ia have the pair mr..
rested. Sheffield. anticipating such u
move. had planted two c"nfcdcratcS IN
the capital. and by the time that the
police had found that their alihi was
ironclad the real criminals We're well
an their way northward. Then fol.
lowed one Of the longest chaseS in
continental detective history.
Finally. after more Than eight
months. he located them in London,
only 10 be met by the downright denial
of the Engllshhan that he had ever
used the name of Sheffield or had ever
been In Naples He accounted for his
possession of number of unset dia
monds by the statement that he had
bought them In the Argentine ana ex.
hibIted a bill Of sale covering the
| gems.