The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-08-11
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Copyright 1914 NRA Service Inc /:
TO CATCH A THIEF
BEIGN HERE TO-DAY
Copy1i8m 1914 NEA Service Inc !: ):

BEIGN HERE TO-DAY
John Ainsley, a man of education
and breeding, becomes master crook
upon other thieves. At
Monte. Carlo he develops desire
to meet the clever thief who stole
a pearl necklace from the throat of
the Baronne dEsterelle in the Ca
sino.
At the roulette tables Ainsley sees
a young Englishman and his Ameri-
can bride lose all the money they
have. More money is loaned to the
Enelishman by Russian prince,
and this, too. is lost on. the tables.
Ainsley suspects the Russian of some
base motive. This suspicion is mo-
mentarily dispelled when he over
hears the Russian grant the use of
his hotel apartment to the destitute
young couple. Later, however, he
sees the Russian himself going to the
hotel.
NOW COON WITH THE STORY
] took the carriage, and three min
utes lates I was in my apartment, on
the third floor of the Hotel de Paris
Two minutes after that was stand.
ing in the corridor, watching. in
amazement, the scene in progress be-
fore Apartment Three~twenty-two.
had heard sounds of struggle
voices raised in anger, and so had
stepped into the hall.
Before the open door of the
Princes apartment stood a group OF
men. The Russian was there, two
clerks from the office downstairs
and two porters. These latter grip.
ped the arms Of the young English
man. The Russian was speaking.
1--WE were too quick for him, mes.
sieurs," he cried. 1.-The minute
missed my keys. / FASTENED back
here, and we are in good time to
catch the thief who took my keys
and has invaded my rooms"
He spoke in French, and the clerks
and porters responded with excited
congratulations.
"Search him!" cried the Russian.
The young Englishman, obviously
compromising no French, demanded
now the meaning of this assault upor
him.
Il missed my keys" replied the
Russian in English. II return tt
the hotel. / tell the clerks. We come
upstairs and find you departing from
my rooms.'
Young Reresford grew red. "But
you gave them to me yourself, ter
minutes ago, in the Sporting Club.
The Prince smiled. You are mar
with some shreds Of common sense,
he retorted. "Who will believe 81
ridiculous a statement"
had not been observed by any Of
the party, and / stepped back silent
| ly to my room, leaving the doc
slightly ajar so that l could still
see and hear, without my espionag'
being detected. And if it be won
dered at that did not at once COM
to the rescue of Beresford, let M
state that l preferred to watch tn
unfolding Of the plot. You will con
fess that it was rather pretty one
But why have you done such
thing?" cried Beresford.
"Ah, now you are prepared to b
reasonable" said the Prince. H
turned to the clerks, and in rapi'
French spoke to them. "The younl
man has suffered severe losses. Ii
a moment Of despair he has commit
ted this crime. I am not a harsl
man. If he shows the proper spiri
of repentance, l am inclined to for
give him."
The French are a warmly impul
sive people. These members of tina
gallant race applauded loudly tn
RUSSIANS generosity. Understanding
no English, what followed was in
comprehensive to them, and onl
served to prove to them that Beres
ford was a hardened rascal. Fo,
iu English, the Prince spoke to tn
unhappy prisoner.
"You wonder why l have don
this thing? You forget that Madame
your wife, is exquisite"
Don't mention her name, yo
swine!" cried -Beresford..
/ The Russian shrugged. But, it i
essential. You see, my young frienc
that it is possible for me, with
word, to cause these men to releas
YOU will utter that word on on
condition. If you could assure m
that Madame your>wife would tax
a motor-ride with me. tomorrow, tc
let us say, Cannes, why then, Nj
Beresford-"
He didn't finish the Sentence
Young Beresford broke loose fror
the OBTAINING clasp of the two porter
and was at the Russians throat.
tell you, it was magnificent: He ha
the big man down in moment, an
would certainly have killed him ha
there been less than four men to dral
him away from his. victim.
But four were too many. Bleeding
and bruised, they finally dragged hin
from the Russian. Loudly the clerk
assured Beresford that in ten min
utes he would be in prison, and tina
1 he would be lucky if he escaped wit
a ten-years' sentence. He did no
understand them, but if he had, fee
certain that it would not have both
cred him at this moment. For j
ever q man was obsessed with a de
sire to kill his enemy, Beresford wa
that man. His own predicamen
meant nothing to him now, save a
it interfered with his wreaking
righteous vengeance on the Prince.