VOL. XXXIII
Bargains in all L ines
You'll be Surprised
and Financially Benefitted
B> attending our Grand Removal Sales.
m We will move April Ist, and the room we Fl
< will move into is much too small for our pre- I^*
iflk sent stock, and in order to reduce our large
f mfc\ stock we hj#e Cut The Prices on all lines, y&jfV
j mBL\ no difference if we must sell some lines at a
We must and will reduce our stock —"ag/fr
nHy so remtm'jer our loss is your gain, s«j act J&gEnT
promptly—attend our Removal Sale and we
will save you money. A Few of our Prices—
Men's storm kir.g quality) rubber boots |
Mk~j2Bk Men's best felt boots with first quality overs
WM Boy's best felt boots with first qua.'ity overs |
Men's hand made box boots reduced to 2.25 Vlpy
\9K Ladies' waterproof oil grain shoes reduc-
Me i's v\ arm lined Alaskas reduced to 5" c
Ladles' best Jersey leggins " " 7: c
Lauies" line serge congress gaiters reduced TO 45^
pi Ladies' and Misses best rubber boots reduc- iw
jjfj ed to s°° Is
Ladies' grain and satin calf slidpers reduc-
5° c
Youth's storm king (high rut) rubber boots
reduced to $l.OO
Full stock of leather and findings. JkR./
Sole leather cut to any amount you may wish
to purchase.
High iron stands with four lasts each reduced
Repairing promptly done. ■ ik' . 4
Mail orders receive prompt
attention jf
JOHN BICKEL
* 128 South Main St.
Butler Pa.
THEY ARE HERE
' We have just received a line of Rubber Goods tliat we will sell in addition t*
our regular goods at the following low prices.
Men's Buckle Arctics 60c Woman's Storm rubbers i^c
Men's Rubbers 26c Misses' Spring Heel Rubbers 12c
.Woman's Croquetts 16c Children's Spring Heel Rubbers 10c
We say to you these are not our best goods but an additional line we have
added to our stock. Some dealers are continually trying to quote very low prices
in footwear to convey the idea that they undersell everybody else when the fact is
they are trading in very cheap stuff, There is 110 trouble to get any amount of
these cheap goods at any time.
THE WOODS IS FULL OF THEM
We merely call your attention to these few facts that will probably lx: worth
your consideration in buying your footwear. The cheapest is not always cheapest.
Men's felt Boots and Rubbers $1.50 Woman's Fine Overgaiters 15 and 18c
Bojs' felt Boots and Rubbers 1.25 Men's Rubber Boots f2.00 and *2.50
Womens'Heavy Shoes 65c, 75c, 85c Men's fine Shoes 85c,*',
"Men's fine Slippers 50c Ladies' Fine Shoes 67J4C, st, f 1.25
Men's Warm Slippers 35 and 50c Children's Shoes 45c, 50c, 75c
See our Ladies' Twentieth Century Shoes, new spring styles, just in at only
$2, and it is a beauty. Some of the advance new spring styles are now coining in
Better see Butler's Leading Shoe House when you buy your footwear.
BUTLER'S LEADING SHOE HOUSE,
Opposite Hotel Lowry,
B.C. Huselton.
Harness Shop!
Harness of all Kinds Made to Order.
Repairing a Specialty,
AND PROMPTLY attended to.
BLANKETS AND ROBES.
CASH PAID FOR HIDES.
No. 111 Fast Cunningham St., - - BUTLER, A
(The old Times Office.)
FRANK KEHPER, Agt.
Silver Ware Free!
Handsome, triple plated hand engraved Teapots, Cakestands. 1-ruit
stands, Butters, creams, Spoon holders, molasses, sugars, castors,
Porcelain and alarm clocks and other articles both ornamental and
useful. Call in and inspect the ware.
GET A CARD.
Purchase you overcoat for Men, Boys and Children. Suit::, Pants,
Hats, Capes, Underwear, Shirts, Collars, Cufls, Ties, Suspenders,
Gloves, Mits, Overalls, Jackets, Sweaters, Umbrellas, Trunks. V ahses,
Telescopes, Watches. Chains, Charms, Rings, I'ins, Brushes, Pocket
anu Bill-books,Purses,etc. and when your purchase amounts to $15.-
00 you get your choice of any of the above articles.
Our Stock is complete,
And Styles correct.
Quality the best,
And prices the lowest.
D. A. HECK,
No 121. N.Mfjiri St, BU TLKR» 1 'A.
DIAMONDS }B.HG».KAKK.M#» t HC . AUK mBitsrUDa .
W A.TO HES } <}KHni (|OLp. ' I I.AIN.
JEWELRY } ~,M Mn *' Kl * r Chains, Bracelets, Etc.
tr wrm n ny m X* I*l T«a item. CMtom, .Bultor liislk-h and', K.vi r>inlM,
aILaV JtU Jn. W tuiaciiribef'lUiidinannilcUwiiUjre..
RODGEI BROS. 1874 } KOKKB ' H.ATK.
E. GRIEB,. )KV ™ L E K .
Ao. 139, North Main St., BJTLER, PA.,
THE BUTLER CITIZEN.
Sharp
Shooting pains in the hcail and face aro
symptortks of neuralgia, "tin* prajer of iht?
nerves f'.r pnre blood." Th. relore to euro neu
ralgia purity the l.locxl and build up by taking
Hood's
Sarsaparilla
I Ti.e (Ht'i True Kloo<l Purifier. SI ; six for &S.
Hood's Pills - ' -
C ,D.
lUpder- |
| Wear |
1 Points I
§8
TY)orw%b pr©Het?©2? <x?
<» rx
fit irritetio!) .
>i SJ
££
& &
in%
r>Z jt f *o<i<zritkx price?
All itfjzros Hygienic
28 -
Ur?4'£rv
&a<uuMUtu/mz(Q
All grails of i-nderwear at very
low prices.
Largest stock of hats and
furnishings for gentleman ni the
country. An inspection will prove
this to any ones satisfacture.
Colbert <sc Dale.
242 S. Main St., Butler, Penn'a
A CHANCE
OF A LIFETIME
FOR LIVE, WIDE-AWAKE
CASH BUYERS.
A GREAT REMODELING SALE
We are going to enlarge and re
model our store, as our large and
increasing trade demands it. We
must have room. So that will ex
plain the great cut in prices.
LOOK AT THIS.
Lot 1. Men's Fine Buff Shoes, lace or
congress, tip and plain, former price
f 1.50 markea now $l.OO.
Lot 2. Men's A Calf Bals end Con
gress shoes, good and strong, suitable for
Working Shoes, former price J: .40 now
marked $1 x*>.
Lot 3. Ladies' Oil Grain Button
shoes, climax cut, warranted waterproof,
always sold for $1.25, going in this sale
for 75 cents.
Lot 4 Ladies' felt Shoes, warm-lin
ed, some felt soles and seme leather,
would be cheap at fi.oo, price now 50
cents.
Jxjt 5. Ladies' Fine Kid Congress,
narrow squaie toe, patent tip ir> matter
what we sold them for, they m ustgo at
75 cents. See them
Lot 6. Ladies' Cloth Slippers, warm
lined. We are almost ashamed to put
the price on them, but we don't want
them. They are yours for 19c a pair.
Reduced Prices for Repairing.
Child's Half Soles 20c
Child's Half Soles and Heels. 25c
Misses' Half Soles 20c
Misses' Half Soles and Heels.3oc
Women,s Half Soles 25c
Women's Half Soles and lleels3sc
Youth's Half Soles 25c
Youth's Half Soles and Heels.3sl.
Hoys' Half Soles 35c
Boys' Half Soles and Heels. .50c
Men's Half Soles 40c
Men's Half Soles and Heels..6oc
Patches 5c
NO CHARGE will be marie for clinch
ing or sewing rips on rhoes that were
Ixjught at
Butler's Progressive Shoe House.
c. E. MILLER,
2i5 South Mam SI., BUTLER PA
■ \ =
Tbe Place to Buy
GAS COOK
ING AND HEATINGSTOVES,
G/vS BURNERS AND FIX
TURES, HOSE, BATH TUBS,
ENAMEL AND
IMPROVFD WELSHBACH GAS
<%&%*%>%, BURNER, *v^vv%/%.v
W. H. O'BRIEN ON,
107 East Jefferson St.
JUST OUT!
A complete map of
Butler County,
Showing Towns, Townships,
Postoffices, Express Offices, Tele
graph Stations, Country Roads
and Oil Fields.
Complete Index.
Vest pocket form
50c each AT
j Douglass'
1 Near P. O. BUTLER, PA
lUITLER. PA. S TIIURSDAY. MARCH 12, 1896.
o%jsa
/m ropinwiHT, .ASS irr <j P PUTNAM'S SOUS. 1
About 0 o'clock that -amo afternoon
Mr. Barnes sent his card up to Mr.
Mitchel at the Lafayette in Philadel
phia. A few minutes later he was shown
into that gentleman's room and found
him in bed.
"Delighted to see you, Mr. Barnea.
You are very kind to come and see me.
For doing so I am almost willing to for
give you for the wrong which yon have
done me."
"Wrong? What wrong?"
'' Do you remember the day you came
to see me at the Fifth Avenue about the
button which yon had found? You asked
mo to show you the seventh of my own
set. I agreed on condition that you
should not annoy the lady. "
"Well?"
"You broke your promise, that is
all."
"In what way?"
"In the first place you bribed her maid
to tell her a lie and leave her so that
one of your spies could take her place;
secondly, your spy did take her place,
the result of which was that Miss Rem
sen could not re-engage her old maid
and has hart much trouble toget another
as good."
"I did not foresee when I made that
promiso that such an emergency would
arise as did later."
"Very true. But I did, anil I warned
you that you would gain nothing by
making the promise, since you would
only find my own story verified by your
visit.''
"Well, I am very sorry and will say
that it shall not occur again."
"But, Mr. Barnes, it has occurred
again."
"How so?"
"Why, she cannot leave her home at
any time without being flogged by your
spies."
Mr. Barnes bit his lip in chagrin to
find how well this man was acquainted
with his plans, but ho replied unhesitat
ingly:
"This time you aro wrong. I prom
ised you not to annoy Miss Remseu in
connection with the particular case of
i'l^
"Delighted to nee you, Mr. Jiamen."
which we were then speaking. My men
have shadowed her in connection with
another affair."
"What other affair?"
"Abduction."
"Abduction? Absurd! Who on earth
has Miss Re'nseu abducted?"
"The girl Rose Mitchel."
"And who, pray, is tl»<, K ,r '
Mitchel—the daughter of the murdered
woman?"
"Perhaps. That is what I intend to
discover. She passed, however, as your
daughter."
"Ahl Now can you prove that she is
not?"
"No."
"Very good. Then, so far as your in
formation goes, Rose Mitchcl, who pass
ed as my daughter, was removed from
a certain bouse to a certain other house
to you unknown.'' Ho paused a moment
as though to enjoy Mr. Barnes' discom
fiture, then continued: "She was'taken,
so you suspect, but cannot prove, by
Miss Remsen. Now, then, if Miss Item
sen, my affianced wife, takes a girl who
is my own child from ono house to an
other, where is the abduction so long as
1 make no complaint?"
"Let us drop this nonsense, Mr.
Mitchel. You know very well that that
child was removed for a purpose, else
she would not be hidden away. If Miss
RemKon had a hand in this, she was
aiding you to bailie detective investiga
tion, and that was an illegal act. There
fore wo have the right to watch her in
order to discover what we can."
"Very well, then, wo will grant you
that privilege. Much good may it do
you. But as to the removal of the child,
that was done because your spy Lucette
had discovered where she was, and I
did not choose to have her annoyed.
"What makes you BO certain that this
Lucette was my spy, as you term it?"
"Well, I don't mind telling you that,
though perhaps I am showing my hand
a little. Let us go to tho beginning. In
tho first place you knew about my bet,
and I knew that you knew that much.
From that starting point what more nat
ural than for me to suppose that yon
would begin by having mo shadowed.
To bo sure of this I mado a few trips on
tho elevated road, a structure peculiarly
applicable for such a test, with the result
of course that I soon beeame pretty well
acquainted with your assistant. When
ever I had nothing else to do, I would
amuse myself getting away from him.
You gave me occupation for several
hours, I assure you. But to como to Lu
cette. I guessed that tho next step in
your game would be to supply spy No.
2, who would take up the trail wherever
spy No. 1 would lose it. I began to look
for this second man. See, I admit that
I did not count upon a woman. You
beat me there, or almost did. I don't
suppose you told tho girl to let mo see
her face, eh?"
Mr. Barnes made no reply, though to
himself ho said, "Just as I told the
fool." Mr. Mitchel went on: "At last
one day, just as I was getting on a train,
a smart looking young woman came out
of the waiting room and followed me
aboard, l'urely from habit I walked
through the train to the first coach. I
ride in that because it is the coolest in
summer and tho least drafty in winter.
Now thero were several cross seats
empty JU the coaches through which I
passed, and as tho young woman behind
mo did not take one, but followed me
through the train, I became suspicious.
When she sat, down opposite me, of
course I studied her face. I hardly ever
forget a face after I have made a men
tal note tif it. The rest is simple. She
was sharp enough not to get off the train
when I did, and I dismissed her from
my mind. Thus I suppose she was en
abled to follow me to the Irving place
house. But, of course, I recognized her
at once when I saw her at Miss Rem
sen's. "
"Did I understand you to say that
this Mitcbel iu y<*ir daughter?"
"I don't know What you understood,
but 1 did not say so. I spoke of her just
as you did, 'Rose Mitchel, who passed
as my daughter ' "
''Weil, then, in sh{> your daughter?"
•."I decline to answer.
t'Whv do von do so?"
"I must decline to reply to that also. "
"Do you not seo, Mr. Mitchel, you
are simply making your actions more
and more suspicious?"
'' My dear Mr. Barnes, I do not care a
straw how much suspicion I arouse so
long as I am not confronted by any
proof. Whenever you think you havo
any proof against me, come to me and I
will endeavor to refute it."
"Very well. You have asked me to
discover who stole Miss Remsen's ruby.
I have already done so.''
"Mr. Barnes, you uro a genius. Who
is it?"
"Yourself."
"Bosh! Can't you do better than that?
Why, I havo been sick abed here for over
three days.''
"Mr. Mitchel, you are caught this
time. You were not sick abed here at
the time of the robbery. On the con
trary, you went over to New York, at
tended the festival and took the ruby
pin from Miss Remsen's hair."
"Mr. Barnes, you are laboring under
a delusion. I tell you I have been in
this room since Dec. 30.
"One of my men followed yon to this
place. On the night of the Ist ho regis
tered at this hotel, being assigned to the
room next to this. He picked the lock of
the communicating door and came in
here, thus discovering your absence.''.
"Very clever idea, I am sure. The
fellow deserves credit. Bnt did he tell
you which communicating door he came
through?"
Mr. Barnes looked around and was
amazed to find that the only door in the
room opened on the hall. The story told
by his man was thus an impossibility.
A thought came to him quickly, and he
said:
"You have changed to another room
since then. You were at that time in
No. 234."
"And this is number 342, a floor high
er up. But you are wrong. I have not
changed my room. I will explain how
your man has made this mistake. I
knew when I came here that your spy
had probably followed me. I was tired
of espionage. This is what I did. I reg
istered and was given No. 234. I was
shown to the room and at once sent for
the clerk. When became up, I asked for
another room and desired him not to
make any ohange on the register, as I
had an inquisitive friend who would
jiot hesitate to walk right np if he knew
what room I was in. I explained that I
wished to avoid him. My request was
granted. I suppose your man asked for
a room near that of his "friend, Mr.
Mitchel." The clerk at once thought
him to bo the man whom I wished to
avoid and gave him a room next to 284,
which of course satisfied him, and I am
sure pleased me as well. "
Mr. Barnes was supremely disgusted,
especially as during tho interview he
had become thoroughly satisfied that
Mr. Mitchel was really sick and troubled
with a bad cough. He returned to New
York puzzled.
CHAPTER XII
inc. ttamjnf OF THE lll.'BV.
Daring tho next two weeks there were
numerous references to the ruby robbery
in tho daily papers. Interviews were
published purporting to have been held
with every one of note who had been
present. The police were twitted with
their inability to discover tho thief. Tho
detectives front the central office came
and went mysteriously, and were silent
to all questioners, the while maintain
ing an expression which plainly said,
"We could and we would." One or
two persons were even arrested, only to
be promptly discharged when brought
before the committing magistrates. So
that interest in the affair soon died out.
Another crime occurred, and all New
York had something else to talk of. The
Remsen ruby was forgotten by the
masses.
Mr. Barnes, however, thought of little
else. He racked his brain for a promis
ing starting point, anil the more he
thought tho more he was tempted to
made a trip to New Orleans to unravel
this, as he had many other mysteries,
"from tho other end." Yet he hated to
leave the scene where were tho chief ac
tors in the drama, and as he felt certain
the principal in one or all of the crimes.
At last he resolved to make a move,
hoping little from it, yet unwilling
longer to rest actually idle in this case.
He wrote the following letter:
Mr. Arthur Randolph:
DKAIC Hill—Since you have engaged nie to
undertake to prove that Mr. Mitchel himself
stole the ruby on the night of the festival, I
presume that you will consent to give me
some assistance in the matter. In the llrxt
Interview that I ha<l with you you may recall
that you stated that your friend, in your opin
ion, is Homewhat insane on the subject of cel
ebrated Jewels. Vou saiil, in effect, that if he
were pressed a littlii on this lino he would
drift off into the narration of tales of Renin
and crimes committed to obtain them. I
would much like to hear Mr. Mitchel talk up
on his hobby, but, as you know, he is on the
defensive with me. Can you in some way ar
range to have a talk with him yourself and
draw him out, while 1 should be secreted
where I could overhear tho conversation? I
should wish you to mention the lon* of the
ruby—to MuKKcnt, if not charge outright that
he himself has taken the gem. and when he
denies it, as he surely will, ask him whether
there is any peculiar story connected with it
—that is, whether it has ever been stolen be
fore, From such a con vernation I might get
hint which, seeming as nothing to you, might
l«t valuable to me. Will you do this? Remem
ber you yourself said that "all is fair," etc.
1 YourH truly, J- BAIINI S.
In reply to this ho received a note
asking him to meet Mr. Randolph at his
club on the following evening.
The next afternoon Mr. Mitchel call
ed at the Hoffman House and went up to
! the room occupied by Mr. Thauret, find
ing that gentleman at home. Mr. Tliau
i rot advanced to meet him, and the two
! shook hands cordially.
"Thauret," began Mr. Mitchel, "I
want to talk to you seriously about that
I jewel robbery."
"I am all attention," said Mr. Thau
ret, lighting a cigarette and dropping in
to comfortable rocking chair.
"To begin with, let mo recapitulate.
I will go hack to our partnership ar
rangement. You and I became in a way
secret partners, or perhaps 'gambling
pals' would be more accurate. At that
time I agreed to furnish tho capital for
our ojierations up to a certain point. I
believe I have done so, in spite of the
fact that our losses have been rather
' heavy and the further fact that you con
fidentially told mo that you had a meth
od or a system by which losses could be
avoided, or at least controlled. Am I
accurate?"
so, my friend. You have
proved yourself an admirable silent part
ner, since you liavo allowed me to have
my own way, paying the bills and ask
ing no questions till now. Am I to uu
| derstand that the losses annoy you, and
that you wish an explanation?"
"You may give me one in a moment
; £h.ire ts another point. You promised
I to drop Adrian Fisher,"
"Well?"
"Vt-u bave not done aa I rwinmtwl
you to wear the Ali Baba costume the
other night, ami yet you chose to give it
to Fisher. Whv was that?"
"It will be more simple to explain
about the looses first and com*' to Fisher
later. As you perhaps know, that de
tective Balnea has chosen to place a spy
at my lu els. Under the circumstances I
thought it wise to play the spy upon my
spy. Several times I have gone to the
clnb and then placed myself where I
could watch my man. In this way I
soon discovered that he had become inti
mate witli one of the club servants. One
day I called this fellow, and partly by
threatening to have him discharged, but
mainly by using money, I got out of
him what the detective was asking
about me. This was chiefly whether I
lose or win when I play cards. I found
that the result of every game that I
played was being reported. Consequent
ly after that I made it a rule to lose."
"To lose my money!"
"To lose our money, since we are part
ners. Yon are simply advancing the
funds till I get remittances from Paris.
You have my I OU's. If you are tired
of the arrangement, I will pay you at
once, though it would be inconvenient."
"No. The money is of no conse
quence. But tell me why did you think
it best to lose?"
"It is very simple. From the fact
that the detectives are investigating this
point it is evident that they have heard
of the winnings which I made when
Fisher played with me. They muy have
concluded that lam a card sharper. I
wish to dispel that idea."
"Naturally. But now toll me about
Fisher. What has this to aowith him:"
"As you know, I did not design to
attend the festival. You went to Phila
delphia, were taken ill and sent me a
letter asking me to take your place and
wear your dress, which I was to obtain
by presenting your note to the costumer.
I did this, fully intending to carry out
your wishes.''
"Then how was it that Fisher wore
my costume?"
"I was coming to that. Just before
leaving for the affair who should call
here but the costumer, who informed
me that a man had been to his place and
had catechised him about me, explain
ing that he was a detective hunting
down a celebrated criminal. He showed
tho fellow your note. Afterward he re
gretted hav' ig done so and came to
notify me, as he expressed it, 'so that I
might not get into any trouble.' I saw
at once that this meant that Barnes
would be at the festival, or at any rate
one of his men."
"You were right in that. He was
there.''
"Yes, but I was not sure of it till
After the robbery, when all unmasked.
He wore one of the Forty Thieves dom
inos, and I failed to see through the dis
guise. With tho knowledge thus obtain
ed I determined to have some amuse
ment at the expense of the great detect
ivo, and decided to wear one of the
dominos instead of your dress. It was
essential, however, that some one should
impersonate Ali Baba in order that the
tab leans might not be interrupted.
Fisher was the only man I could ask to
assume tho role. He acquiesced, and
that is all there was to that. I have not
taken him np again, I ;issnre you."
"Very good. That is satisfactory. You
must pardon my questioning; but, after
all, I did not understand and had a
right to do so. Tell me were von near
when tho robbery occnri p ? Did you see
it done?"
"I must have been near, but I did not
see it. I was awaiting to kiss the hand
of the Scheherezade when Mr. Barnes sud
denly cried out that a robbery had been
committed and ordered masks off. I
slipped out of my domino and went to
iltlil an buuu an the ltgrtTß wrro "
"You might have suggested to him to
search everybody, as he did ou tho
train,"
"By George, that ia just what I did,
but he declined. I guess that train ex
perience made him dubious as to the
value of that sort of thing. "
At this both men laughed heartily, as
though enjoying the discomfiture of tho
detective.
"It seems," said Mr. Mitcbel, "that
Barnes suspected that tho ruby was to
bo stolen and informed Mr. Rawlstou
early in tho evening that thero would
bo thieves in tho audience."
"Did ho indeed? Too bad that, with
all his shrewdness, he was not a bio to
catch tho thief or thieves rather, eh?"
Once more they both laughed. Then
Mr. Mitchol suggested that they should
go to the club, and thither they went.
Upon entering the doorkepeer informed
Mr. Mitchel that Mr. Randolph was in
tho parlor and desired to sot* him. Ho
and Mr. Thauret therefore went into tho
great reception room. Mr. Randolph
arose as they appeared.
"Good evening, Randolph," said Mr.
Mitchel. "You wish to see me?"
"Oh, nothing special. I came in to
dine hero and told the doorman to send
you to me in erase you should turn up. I
wanted company, that is all.''
"Dou't like to eat alone, eh?"
"That is it. Eating is a nuisance,
mado tolerable only by good companion
ship. Mr. Thauret, shall I have a place
set for you also?"
"If you desire, I shall be most happy,"
said Mr. Thauret.
"Very well," said Mr. Randolph. "I
will attend to it. I have some letters to
write now, if you will excuse me. Meet
me promptly at 7 in the private dining
room.''
Mr. Randolph loft the apartment and
went to the floor abovo. Here ho joined
Mr. Barnes, who was awaiting him.
"Well," said tho detective, "can you
manage it?"
"Everything is arranged. Mitchel is
here, and he has brought Thauret with
him. I don't understand tho intimacy
that has sprung up betweou those two,
but that is not to tho point. They will
dino with me in our private dining
room. 1 shall arrange that our meal
shall bo served at a table immediately
next to the large portiere that separates
the private dining room from the main
saloon. 1 shall also order a dinner for
you at a table just on the other side of
the curtain. If you have good ears, you
should hear all that passes with little
difliculty."
"I am satisfied with your arrange
ment and shall undoubtedly be able to
hear at h ast the greater part of what
occurs.' 1
"Very well. Now go to tho library,
and at the farther end, hidden behind u
newspaper file, you will bo safe from
tho observation of prying eyes. Prompt
ly at 7 I and my guests will take our
seats. Five minutes later your own
place will be in readiness, and you can
take it in safety. "
Mr. Barnes followed these instruc
tions, and Mr. Randolph went to the
dining room to jierfwt his arrangements.
At- 7, on the minute, he was j<iiu«d by
his invited guests, and the three sat at
table. Shortly after the noise <>f dishes
on the other side of the portiere indi
cated that Mr. Harm s was being served.
About the third course Mr. Randolph
cudeuvorod to lead the conversation in
the desired direction.
"I trust," sai<l ho, addressing Mitchel,
"that you have entirely recovered from
that unfortunate illness that prevented
you from attending the affair at Kawls
ton's?"
"Oh, yes!" said Mitchel. "It was
but a temjiorary matter. The only seri
v>us result was that 1 was kept from tho
festival. I think I might have saved
Miss Remsen from the annoyani e of los
ing her ruby."
I "But, Mitchel," said Mr. Kiuidolpli,
"uiUlu iJ ludiwl* ft. •*.. «•"* " * —
lose so valuable a gem, at the samo time
you can safely replace it."
"What makes you think so?"
"Why, yon have so many jewels. Do
fun know I was saying only recently that
any one who, like yon, would hoard
up rare geir.s, keeping them locked in a
vault where no one can see them, is in
a way insane. I was g'md when you
gave that ruby to Miss Beinsen, and
took it as a symptom of returning lucid
ity that you should nll earth one of your
hidden treasures. I havo no doubt that
- hnve others like it buried in some
cor Li >. ■ " ■ t safe. Why not get one
out and pre»i.. ' > the lady?"
" You are misiui. , ' 1 -h. I can
not so easily produce a luate u that
ruby.''
"Why not? Was there anything pe
culiar about it?"
"Yes, but we will not talk of it."
This curt way of dismissing the sub
ject was a surprise to Mr. Randolph,
for however little Mr. Mitchel cared to
show his gems he hud never before been
unwilling to embrace any opportunity
to talk about them. Mr. Randolph dart
ed in a new direction, remembering the
hints of the detective.
"Mitchel," said ho, "I would almost
be willing to wager that you not only
can give Miss Remsen as good a ruby,
but that you could actually give her the
same one."
"I hope to do so," was the quiet re
fcly.
"You don't understand me. 1 mean
that I half believe that your sickness in
Philadelphia was all a farce; that you
came over and yourself stole the gem."
"Indeed? And what leads yon to such
a preposterous deduction?"
"I think that this is your way of en
deavoring to win your wager. I think
that no one but yourself could have
taken the pin from Miss Remsen's hair,
as for no one else would she have sub
mitted. "
"Randolph, your repeated allusions
to Miss Remsen in this connection, and
especially your insinuation that I would
ask her to be an accomplice in such a
piece of duplicity- and that she would
consent, are distasteful to mo in the ex
treme. If you will pardon my saying so,
it is a poor entertainment to offer a
guest."
"Oh, I meant no offense, old man, I
assure youl We will drop tho subject,
of course.''
This was followed by a silence. Mr.
Randolph was at his wits' end to find a
way to force Mr. Mitchel to talk. He
felt that nothing had been accomplish
ed. Mr. Barnes, however, thought dif
ferently, for he had at last come to a
positive conclusion. From Mr. Mitchel's
tone of voice and the words of his last
speech the detective felt certain that
whatever part Mr. Mitchel himself may
have played in the robbery Miss Rein
sen was innocent. He also wondered
whether the conversation would now
drift back to the ruby. Perhaps it would
not have done so had not Mr. Tliauret,
who, up to this point, had scarcely
spoken during tho progress of the meal,
once more broached the subject.
"I beg pardon, Mr. Mitchel," said
he, "but your remark just now, that
thero is something special about tho lpst
ruby, has greatly excited my curiosity.
Unless you have some private reason for
not doing so, I beg that vou will tell us
tho history of the gem, if it has one."
Thero was a pause, during which Mr.
Mitthel looked at his plate and seemed
as though studying a problem. Mr.
Randolph was dolightcd that Mr.
Thauret had come to his assistance in
this unexpected way, and as ho observed
Tlic Ktory.
Mr. Mitchol's hesitation it seemed to
him that there was a contest going on
in his mind between a powerful desire
to talk on his hobby and some pruden
tial whisper that silence would l>e bet
ter. Tho detective also waited with
some anxiety, a piece of a sweetbread
on his fork, carried but half way to his
mouth.
"Well, gentlemen," at last said Mr.
Mitchel, "I will tell yon the story."
Mr. Barnes took the tidbit from bis fork
with a smilo that showed his teeth as
they bit it incisively. "First join me in
a glass," continued Mr. Mitchel.
"Drink this ruby colored wine and
pledge me that you will not repeat what
I say. This only because Ido not wish
to attain tho unenviable reputation of
being a romancer, as I certainly should
if some reporter should hear and publish
tho story now while the loss of the gem
1M fresh in the memory of all. "
Tho pledge was given, and Mr. Mitch
el continued:
"That you might better appreciate
this stone, I begin with a disser
tation on rubies, explaining to you the
difference between the true oriental gem,
which is rare of any magnitude, anil the
poorer specimens, known as spinels.
However, you would only accuse me of
ventilating knowledge which has come
to mo through the study of my hobby. I
will come at once to the story of the lost
jewel. Just where it was first found is
not accurately known, and of ils earlier
history I can only tell you what has
been told me. You may believe as much
or as little us you like. The history then
begins with the finding of Moses in the
bulrushes and the subsequent gift to
him of this ruby by the daughter of
Pharaoh. Thus we hear of it first in the
royal house of the Egyptians. There was
•mother gem, the exact counterpart to it.
This Pharaoh had among his treasures
and wore upon state occasions. With the
exodus of Moses and the Israelites the
ruby passed out of Egypt. From that
time for many centuries its history is
not marked by any great event, save
that wo learn that it was kept by the
high priests of tho synagogue and so
passed down from generation to genera
tion. One odd fact I must not forget.
The deep rod color, as you know, is tho
most prized. The color of this ruby at
tho prescut time is the most perfect in
existence. Vet, so the story goes, at first
the matched pair of gems were of a pale
rose color.''
"Do you mean us to believe," inter
rupted Mr. Randolph, "thut the color
has deepened with time?"
"I do not usk you to believe anything.
But it is not time that is supposed to
have improved the color. With the con
quest of Jerusalem this jewel fell into
ttio hands of the Romans, and so in
tjuie came iiitv the possession of (Vsar.
If) his courtship of Cleopatra lie soon
discovered that extraordinary woman's
passion for resplendent jewels, and he
WiV» utidaclous enough to present it to
her. Fearing that this might be readily
trjtcod to him when the jewel was miss
ed, as it would surely be, he told her
secretly of his purjsjse and then tied it
about the neck of a pigeon, which flew
with it directly to the palaco of < ; Hv
pjitj-u, wljo awaited th« urJvgJ of the
uira oa tne rooTtops. ine pigeon, when
nearly home, was attacked by a hawk,
and Cleopatra or tiered one of her archers
to slay the larger bird with his arrow.
This the man attempted, but struck the
pigeon, which fell, blooding and dead,
at the queen's feet. She atmce remov
ed the gem, which was revered with
blood and dyed with it a rich red."
"But, Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. Than
ret, "surely a ruby could not absorb
blood?"
"It is the history of the gem.'' Mr.
Mitchel spoke iu so odd a toue that one
almost thought that, carried away by
his love of precious stones, he had im
bibed some of the superstition connected
with them. He spoke as though he be
lieved the tale. Mr. Barnes began to
understand what Mr. Randolph had
meant when he said that perhaps the
desire to possess a rare stone might
tempt this gentleman to commit a crime.
Mr. Mitchel continued:
"I need not follow tho story of Cleo
patra. It is too well known. But tliero
is an incident that has not been written
in the general history of her career.
There was an Egyptian priest who was
madly in love with her, and iu a mo
ment of impulse he dared to tell her of
his attachment one day when alone with
lier. She seemed slightly amused at his
ardor, and asked what he, a poor priest,
could offer her, who had rich rulers at
her feet. In desperation ho answered
that he could cive his lif« Th«» <ioccn
laughed and said: 'That is mine already.
But yod priests claim to be all wise.
Find me the mate to my great ruby and
perhaps I will listen to your love plead
ings.' To her intense surprise the man
replied: 'That I could do if I dared.
Tho gem which you have has but return
ed to its proper place. It was once Pha
raoh's. He also had the mate to it,
which from him descended through
kings to Rameses the Great. It is buried
in his coffin.' 'Get it for me,' was the
terse reply of Cleopatra, given now as a
command rather than a request.
"In fear the priest went into the pyr
amid and stole the jewel. When ho
presented it to Cleopatra, sho cried out
at him: 'What fool's trick is this? Do
you think this pale stone a match to
mine?' The priest explained that hers
had been dyed red in the blood of the
pigeon. 'Ah, so!' she replied. 'Then
this ono shall be also a richer red. You
promised me your life once. I claim it,
and in your blood this stone shall be
steeped till it matches tho other in col
or. ' She carried out her threat, and the
two stones were once more mates."
"What an absurdity!" exclaimed Mr.
Randolph.
"Do not say so, "said Mr. Thauret.
"We cannot tell what may happen in
litis world."
"The next change of owners was
when Cleopatra killed herself. One of
her handmaidens stole the two rubies,
but she herself was taken, a slave, to
Rome and sold. Her purchaser discov
ered the rubies, took them from her,
and then secretly murdered her, lest she
might tell that he had them. From this
time on they have gone by the name of
the 'Egyptian gems.' I need not give
yon tho wholo list of robberies and mur
ders that have been connected with tho
two stones, though I have tho written
record complete, with names of nil tho
victims. Suffice it to say that for years
no one was the gainer by gottiug pos
session of them. They have always been
impossible to sell until I bought this
one, which is tho first time either ever
was offered honestly in tho market. Be
fore this each new owner had obtained
the jewels either by tin "r murder and
dared not admit that he had them. An
other curious thing is that no one has
over succeeded in hiding the jewels so
that they could not be found. They
nave Been sooreted between the stones
equally obscure places, yet always tho
next thief has found and taken them."
"Ah, that is interesting!" said Mr.
Thauret. "But tell us fraukly, since
we are plodged not to repeat what we
hear, do you suppose there is any power
inherent in the stono which attracts
persons to their discovery?" .
"I cannot say, but that is one of the
claims. This seems to be snsbtantiated
by recent events too."
"How so?"
"Well, my usual interest in largo
gems led me to police headquarter*
when that woman ttoeo Mitchel was
killed, after having been sobbed. Tho
jewels, you remember, had been quickly
recovered and aro still in the hands of
the police. I was allowed to see them,
and the ruby in that lot is undoubtedly
tho mato to mine. "
"You think that it was the presence
of that stone which led to the discovery
by the police of tho satchel containing
tho jewels?"
Mr. Thauret seemed much interested,
but Mr. Mitchel merely shrugged his
shoulders for answer, though it seemed
plain that he did hold that opinion. Mr.
Barnes wondered whether Mr. Thauret's
interest was due to the fact that, having
stolen tho jewels, ho was astonishod to
hear of so strange an explanation of
their recovery from tho hotel wliero he
had hidden them. Yet tho man's next
words seemed to dispel such an idea. Ho
said:
"You may believe in that sort of
thing, Mr. Mitchol, but I, who have
only modern ideas, cannot accept any
such theory. The fact that the stones
have always been discovered when hid
den has led tlioso who know tho history
to mistake u chain of coincidences for
evidence of supernatural power within
tho stones themselves. I think I can
readily aocount for tho series of hidings
and findings."
"I should bo pleased to have yon do
so," said Mr. Mitchel.
"Have you never road Edgar Poo's
tale, tho one where a letter is stolon aud
hidden? The detectives failed to find it,
though it was in plain sight all tho
time, but another man did find it. He
went fcpou the correct theory that tho
thief, knowing that a search would l>o
mado, and guessing that all obscure
places would Ist explored Urst, would
hido it in some commonplace manner.
Ho visited the apartments, and found
the letter in the letter rack. Now this
is ingenious, but Mr. Poe here gives ns
a bit of special pleading and a curious
anomaly at tho snmo time. Ho wished
to show that an obscure corner would be
a bad hiding place, and so worked out
his result. At the same time ho draws a
skillful thief who baffled expert jsilice,
and yet who hid his letter where tho
first man with brains easily found it.
This is the anomaly. Where the article
is small, as is the case with this lost
ruby, there is but one safe place for tho
thief to bide his stolen projsirty. "
"And that place is?" asked Mr. Mitch
el, himself Istlraymg interest.
"Upon his own person, wherg at all
times he could Ist on tho alert to thwart
the searching committee."
"Ah, you are forgetting," said Mr.
Mitchel, "that idea was not overlooked
\>y Edgar Poo. In the tale the man was
waylaid by officers iu disguise, who
bound him and thou searched him. If
tho letter had been alsmt him, it would
have been found."
"Nut at all. The letter was pluo< d
in un envelop*-, which had been turned,
and then mailed HO that on the reverse
it received the postal' imprint. Thi»
foiled tlie detective* when they t'vua
tned the letter ruck. It v>>uM have
fooled them in exploring hjw pockets »f
found with v'.'utti li'LLerh himiltulr ad
V" the gther hand, had, it b«ei»
w his pocket tho man wln» liuailv ob
tained it con Id June «u juk
TSTo. 11
a conrusion m tnestreet winch attracted
the mail to tbe window. It would have
beeu difficult for him even to guess that
it was in the pocket. Besides with the
rul>y it would be simple, since it is an
article that can be disposed of at a mo
moufs notice."
"Very true," said Mr. Mitchel,
"but " Here ho paused for a moment
and seemed abstracted. Quickly recov
ering, he Paid: "What was I saying? I
have lost the thread of our conversa
tion. "
"Mr. Thanret suggested that the thief
could keep tho ruby about him," replied
Mr. Randolph.
"Ah, exactly! Now I remember.
Well, I should say that it would be a
hazardous undertaking. I believe, had I
st-olen the gem—as, by the way, Ran
dolph, you suggested—l could do better
than that"
"Ah," said Mr. Randolph, "this is
getting interesting. Come, tell us. How
should you hide the jewel, supposing
that you had taken it?"
"That is a leading question," said
Mr. Mitchel. "I prefer not to answer
it. Walls have ears, yon know." He
said this in a significant way that made
Mr. Randolph uncomfortable for a mo
ment. Mr. Mitchel at once continued,
"I will say this, however, that tbe
thief, whoever he is, cannot profit by
his th^ft."
"Why not?" asked Mr. TL.iuret.
"Because there is not u.iot: < v yem in
i-iiiUuio aaiu uio.se two w)i; .1 are so
absolutely perfect in color. In fact, they,
are the standards by which rubies are
valued. It is claimed that the expression
'pigeon blood ruby' owes its existence
to the staining of one of these gems in
the manner described. Dealers some
times cut a pigeon's thruat to compare
the blood with the color of a gem being
appraised. The significance of this is
that the stolen gem cannot be sold as it
is because it would bo recognized, and I
have notified all the great dealers in tho
world that my 'Egyptian gem' has been
stolen. If it were attempted to have it
cut up, the lapidary would at once re
port the matter, as the reward offered by
mo is greater than could be earned by
recutting the stone."
"Suppose that the thief himself is a
gem cutter?" asked Thauret.
"Even then the perfect color would at
once tell the first dealer to whom he ap
plied that tho "Egyptian gom'had been
recut."
"The thief might bo a patient man,
and all things come to him who waits,"
replied Mr. Thaurefc
"True," said Mr. Mitchel. "But
mark my words, the 'Egyptian gem'
will not bo sold by tbe person who has
it now."
"Especially if that person is your
self, '' said Mr. Randolph.
"Just so," answered Mr. Mitchel.
The conversation now drifted to othei
things, and shortly after, the.dinner be
ing over, the three men separated.
As Mr. Barnes was about to leave the
main dining room one of the servants
handed him a note. Supposing it to be
from Mr. Randolph, he opened it at
once and was surprisod and chagrined to
read:
When Mr. Barnes nuxt plays the eavesdrop
per, ho should bo careful to observe whether
a mirror reflects both sides of a portiere which
ho might supposo would conceal him.
MITCH*!.
"The devil take it!" »nuttered Mr.
Barnes. "I wonder at what point be
discovered my prescnco. Was that last
part—about his having warned all the
dealers—thrown in gratuitously for my
benefit and to lead me to suppose tliat
some one elso stole tho stone? If so, why
does he now let mo know that ho savfr
me?"
[TO BE CONm.VTED.f
It's pleasant to bo a frent man In the choir,
To aort o' stand out as a leader,
To have all thet tuneful persuasion an flro
But in this fioro" existence we can'tTPoor or
rich, - I
Decide on tho path thot's l>oforo us.
An some kin stand up an sing solo* an sich, |
While other must Jlno In the chorus.'
It's tho low trallin vino thet in Bafety,endures
Tho storm when the haughty aro broken;
It Jan't the hero thet oft'nest secure#
A true hearted friendship's doar token-
When envious sneers arclaunchod ruthless an
free,
Jfhen tho vonomous darts whistle o'er us,
Woy.Juetwoen you an mo, it's a comfort to be
Jes a fiiller'thet Jines inthe chorus.^
—Washington Star. .
Mischief Done.
"I've boon told„ Rivors' name is in old
Rocksworthy's will." J
"Yes, his namo la'ln It. He signed It as
a witness. That's all, and—good gracious 1
What's tho matter?" !
"Nothing, only L'vo 4600 on
tho strength of It!"—Chicago' Tribune.
The Ouoa Who Kotbr.
"Ono lias to undergo u great"deal,to se
cure n musical education'' ■ romrtrkodtthe
young woman who hopes someday to bo a
prima donna.
"Hut one's neighbors havo to undorgo'a
great deal more,'' suggested tho yopng
man from tho noxt flat.—Chicago Post.
His Breaks.
110 broke the ties of mother lovo
By his satanlo art,
Nor rested there—this ruffled dove
Then broke a maiden's heart.
And onee again did fortune's stroke
His killing pace reveal—
The lightning breakor grandly broke
Tho record on his wheel.
Htlll guided by his evil Wit
Uu wrought full prank,
And when, nlas, in business wont
And promply broko a bank.
Bo thus this breaker broke away
Until a broken wreck,
And then tho sheriff came one day
And badly broko his nock.
—Cleveland Plain Dealer.
, Lost Ills Usefulness.
Philanthropic l^ady—And.you moan to
toll mo that you lost your oinploymont
through giving up drinking?
Tramp—Yes, juum. It's us true as
gospel. 1 was u horrlblo tem
perance league.—New York Herald.
Audacity.
The pert wind kissod Priseilla's cheek
Anil made It red.
Then, fearing lest rebuke she'd speak,
Away he fled.
But tasted sweets do sharpon taste
To cravo for more.
And one turn do again at least
What's done before. 1
Bo in anticli>ated bliss
Straight back he goes.
Oh, most impertinent! Thiskiss
Makes red her nose. —Truth.
Raising Funds.
"I'll give 110," announced tho man in
the third |>ew from tho front.
Tho converted counterfeiter rose, with
emotion.
"And l, J ' he exclaimed, "will make It
$l<K)." —Detroit Tribune.
Spain's Editor General.
Oh, put by my saber, so time stained and
rusty; •
Its seasons or labor were few.
My valor clings close to a weapon more trusty,
So bring me my Js--ucll of blue.
'Twere folly to drift with* the chanoea of bat
tic.
Wherv doubts come,in spectral review.
When despising rude war with its blare and Its
rattle, '1 "M
I'm safe with my -pencil of .blue—>
—Washington jsar. fl
Seeking lllbllcal Knowledge. 1
Enfant.Terrible—And dld*they go into
tho ark two .liy.two? _
Mnininu—Yes, dearest.
&ifant Terrible —Well,^w ho went With
auntie?— Pittsburg Bulletin.
Her Horrible Slang.
She held a daisy in horjiand , I
And plucked its petals one by one. J
As fair a picture waa she'then fij
As e'er was shono on by the son. ■
The rude young tnan who.' unawares.3
y Approached her nearly had a flt M
Tu L ar her rosy, liptijinan- «|
: »' ~ < - t» u ' J"c-luvoBj>nc.ai»Efl