The Coolidge examiner., 1935-07-12
$4,000 in Pearls
By SPENCER A. SPENCER
z Mcclure %easgasrt HJa3 lraRe.
WsU Service.

\ kNbt+b Mtl-Ll I'm had worked
= every confidence racket FROM
the artificial eyc dropped into a
=ullib.r fruit dealers basket Of
grapes. 20 selling mythical OIL wells
tp wldevycd tourists In California.
uf medium height. was Arnold Alill
urn suaye and wi,h q face so hon.
-, that Il fooled nsiuie Judges OF
human nature
Sirolhng ln the ensirous ~ Times
square one late afternoon. he
stopped before shabby bookshop
and idly examined the dusty vol.
umcs on the outside display rack
While CHANGING through the Erlmy
pages 90 taitered expose % card
tricks. his alert eyes were arrested
by sealed envelope II was ad
dressed 20 Mira Cynthia Rodgers
ia Brooklyn Jun bore no stamp or
sign of poumark lie studied the
envelope furtisely Perhaps It con
tained something Of value. with
one dcft movement that deded %.
ieciion. De transferred the envelope
from the book 10 the Inside pocket
~ his coat.
When he was alone IN his hotel
room be brought Il forth FOR closer
inspection. The envelope which
had once been white was yellow and
brittle. Carefully be tore OF the end
and shook out the letter II had
been written from PaEo-Pngo. and
sas dated July II. iSg2
"My dear wife Cynthla Cthe let
ter beEanl:
1T seems AZ this time 20 be the
sill OF God that this letter must be
my last Ny ship Is al anchor here.
undergoing repairs Upon our ar
rival was carried ashore suffering
fron tropical fever.
at one time. having lost considi
erable monies IN n bank failure.
secretly constructed a small vault
IN our home. II ls directly above
the carved nEure on the left side of
the mantel III the back parlor. By
pressing the right eyeball OF the
aEure you will release a spring
which viii cause the door % the
vault 70 open. Inside you will and
ST. .cco in American gold. and pearls
whose value is estimated 20 be $40.
600 II is my earnest hope that
these monies and jewels. with Gods
help. win protect you from want
all your remaining days
Il am sending this message 20
you by my loyal and Trustworthy
mate. Mr.. Jack Macdonald.
"Your loving and faithful hns-
band.
Captain Peter Rodgers"
Arnold Mllluru's hands were
trembling as be finished reading
the letter. II was evident 70 him
that since Cynthia Rodgers had not
received her husbands letter the
gold and pearls were aill Ia the
vault.
As be TAXED across the long
bridge to Brooklyn doubts crepi
into his mind. Perhaps the house
had been razed 90 make room for
a modern structure.
All doubts slipped from him.
however. when a haf hour later he
found II. lie walked slowly past
the house, then catching sight of
the ROOMS FOR RENT sign In the
window. reiraced his steps and rang
the doorbell. Luck was With him
The great. heavy door was opened
BY a little whltehaired lady whose
lively blue eyes and quick smile
beamed up at him.
I'm looking for room" he said.
Something on the trsi floor. II you
have H."
The only room have vacant az
present IL the back parlor." she ex.
planned, stepping aside FOR him to
enter. tie struggled 10 keep this
good news from showing In his face.
''The back parlor has a lovely
view of the harbor." the little WON
an continued. My husband was a
seafarlng man. Captain Of the SIl-
yer Swan. he was. before she was
lost with all hands aboard" He had
followed her into the back parlor.
Il used 10 watch for his ship through
these windows. but that's been
long time ago" As she talked he
z,w nothing but the marble mantel
above the fireplace with the carved
figures on both sides.
How much Is this room?" he
asked.
''One hundred dollars a month.
Rooms with a view OF the harbor
are scarce You'l find there's
breeze. even on the hottest nights"
Reluctantly he selected five TWEEN
ties from his wallet and gave them
70 her. The moment she was gone
he hung his hat over the doorknob.
closing the keyhole to prying eyes.
Then he pulled down the shades.
Walking 10 the mantel he pressed
the right eyeball OF the figure on
the left. Instantly a small sec
ton OF the wall swung outward.
With a moist, shaking hand he
reached into the opening. Il was
empty No-there was a piece OF
letter paper inside. He carried II
10 the window. and pulled back the