Nebraska Newspapers

    THE NORTH.. PLATTE' SEMi1 WEEKLY.'. TRIBUNE: TFESMY EVENING, iMUAEK'-l 1896.
you "which commtmicatingoor lie came
through?"
Mr. Barnes looted around andinras
QTIiniTArt t .4 A- 1 4 I I -J . I.
room opened ontho hall. The story told
by his man -was thus an impossibility.
A thought came to him quickly, and ho
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 urnw has made this mistake. I
know 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 he camo up, I asked for
another room and desired him not to
make any change on the register, as I
had an iuquisitivo friend who would
not hesitate to walk right up 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 be the man whom I wished to
avoid and gave him a room next to 234,
-which of course satisfied him, and I am
sure pleased me as well. "
Mr. Barne3 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 XH.
TUB HISTORY OF THE RUBY.
Daring the next two weeks there wero
numerous references to the ruby robbery
in the 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 the thief. Tho
detectives from the central office came
and went mysteriously, and wero silent
to all questioners, the while maintain
ing an expression which plainly said,
"We could and we would." One or
two persons were oven 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
Keuiseu5 ruby was forgotten by tho
masses.
Mr. Barnes, however, thought of littlo
else. He racked his brain for a promis
ipg starting point, and the moro he
thought; tho more he was tempted to
made' a trip to New Orleans to unravel
this, as he had many other mysteries,
"from the other end." Yob he hated to
leave the scene where were the 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 littlo from it, yet unwilling
longer to rest actually idle in this case.
He wrote the following letter:
Mr. Arthur Randolph:
Deak S ik Since you have engaged mo to
undertake to prove that Mr. Mitchel himself
stole the ruby on tho night of the festival, I
presume that you "will consent to give me
some assistance in tho matter. In the first
interview that I had vith you you may recall
that you stated that your friend, in your opin
ion, is somewhat insane on the subject of cel
ebrated jewels. You said, in effect, that if he
were pressed a littlo on this lino he would
drift off into the narration of tales of gems
and crimes committed to obtain them. I
would much like to hear Mr. Mitchel talk up
on his hobby, but, as you know, ho 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 I should be secreted
where I could overhear tho conversation? I
should -wish you to mention tho loss of the
ruby to suggest, if not chargo outright that
ho himself has taken tho gem, and 'when he
plenies it, as ho surely will, ask him whether
there is any peculiar story connected with it
t-that is, whether it lias ever been stolen be
fore. From such n conversation I might get a
hint which, seeming as nothing to you, might
bo valuablo to mo, Will you do this? Remem
ber you yourself paid that "all is fair," etc
Yours truly, J. Baknes.
asking him to meet Mr. Randolph at hisf
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 homo. Mr. Thau
ret advanced to meet him, and the two
shook hands cordially. '
"Thauret," becan Mr. Mitchel, "1
want to talk to you seriously about thar
jewel robbery. "
"I am all attention," said Mr. Thau
ret, .lighting a cigarette and dropping in
to a comforta bio rocking chair.
"To begin with, let me recapitulate.
I will go back to our partnership ar
rangement. You and I became in a way
secret partners, pr perhaps 'gambling
rials' would be mora accurate. At that
time I agreed to furnish the capital for11
nnv nnnrnHrms Tin tfi n fprtnill Yioint I
V W.. ww T- " . X
boliovo I have done so, in spite Of the-jj uie private (lining room irom tne mam
fact that our losses have been rather-Ealoon. I shall also order a dinner for
heavy and the further fact that you con-, yon at a table just on tho ether sido of
fidentially told me that you had a meth-TUhe curtain. If you have good ears, you
od or a system by which losses could be (X should hear all that passes with little
avoided, or at least controlled. Am iil difficulty."
accurate:"
"Quite so, my friend. You have
proved yourself an admirable silenf part
ner, since vou have allowed me to have
my own way, paying the bills aud ask- a
jpg no quesnons uij now. -am j. iu uu- i
derstand that the losses annoy you, an&
that you wish au explanation?" s
"You may give me one in a momenta
There is another point. You promised;
to drop Adrian Fisher. ' '
"Well?"
"You have not done so. I requested
you to wear the Ali Baba costume therf
other night, aud yet you chose to give lty
to Fisher. Why was that?"
"It will be more simple to explain r
about the losses first and come to Fisher
later. As you perhaps know, that de-
tective Barnes has chosen to placo a spy
at my heels. Under the circumstances I
thought it wise to play the spy upon -my
-spy.
Several times I have gone to tho
club and then placed myself where If
could watch my man. In this way If
soon discovered that he had become mti-
.mate with one of the club servants. On&
day I called this fellow, and partly b
threatening to have him discharged, but
mainly by using money, I got out oft
him what thp detective was asking
nbont me. This was chiefly whether:
lose or win when I nlay cards. I fouu
that the result of every game that
played was being reported. Consequent-
jy alter -mat jl zuuuu au xuio iu iio.
".To Jose my money 1"
"To lose our moneyr since we are part
ners. You are simnlv advanciuo the
funds till I get remittances from Paris,
You bave my I O U's. If yon are tire
of the arrangement, I will pay you Kt
once, though itwould bo inconvenient' '
"No. The money is of no cofiie
quence. But tell me why did you ti)k
it hs&t to lose:
"It is very simpie. Jicom tC6 xacc
that the detectives are investigating this
point it is evident that they have beard
of tho winnings which I made when
Pisher played with me. They may have
concluded that I am a card sharper. I
wish to dispel that idea."
"Naturally. But now tell me about
Fisher. What has this to do with 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 costumen.
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 tho affair who should call
here but the costumer, who informed
me that a man had been to his place and
had catechised him about ine, explain
ing that he was a detective hunting
down a celebrated criminal. He Ehowed
the fellow your note. Afterward he re
gretted having done so and came to
notify me, as ho expressed it, 'so that I
might not get into any trouble.' I saw
at once ihAt this neafit that Barnr i
would be at tho festival, or at any rate
one of his men."
"You wero right in that. He was
there."
"Yes, bnt I was not sure of it till
after the robbery, when all unmasked.
He wore one of the Forty Thieves dom
incs, and I failed to see through tho dis
guise. With the knowledge thus obtain
ed I determined to havo some- amuse
ment at tho expense of the great detect
ive, and decided to wear ono of the
dominos instead of your dress. It was
essential, however, that some ono should
impersonate Ali Baba in order that the
tableaus might not bo interrupted.
Fisher was the only man I could ask to
assume tho role. He acquiesced, and
that is all thero was to that. I have not
taken him up again, I assure 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 mo, were yon near
when tho robbery occurred? Did you seo
it done?"
"I must have been near, but I did not
see it. I was awaiting to kiss tho hand
of the Scheherezade when Mr. Barnes sud
denly cried out that a robbery had been
committed and ordered masks off. I
slipped onfc of my domino and went to
him as soon as the lights wore on."
"You might havo suggested to him to
search everybody, as he did cn the
train."
"By George, that is just what I did,
but ho declined. I guess that train ex
perience made him dubious as to the
value of that sort of thing. "
At this both mon laughed heartily, as
though enjoying the discomfiture of tho
detective.
"It seems," said Mr. Mitchel, "that
Barnes suspected that flio ruby was to
be stolen aud iuforniod Mr. Rawlstou
early in the evening that thero would
be thieves in the audience."
"Did ho indeed? Too bad that, with
all liis shrewdness, he was not ablo to
catch tho thief or thieves rather, eh?"
Once moro they both laughed. Then
Mr. Mitchel suggested that thoy should
go to the club, aud thither they went.
Upon entering the doorkepeer informed
Mr. Mitchel that Mr'. Randolph was in
the parlor and desired to seo him. Ho
and Mr. Thauret therefore went into the
great reception room. Mr. Randolph
arose as they appeared.
"Good evening, Randolph," said Mr.
Mitchel. "Yon wish to seo me?"
"Oh, nothing special. I camo iu to
dine here and told the eteormaii tq send;
you to me in casetynn dionld turn up. I
wanted company, "that is all, "
"Don't liktrto eat alone, eh?"
"ThatT it. Eating is a nuisance,
madeifSierable only by good companion
ship. Mr. Tiiauret, shall I havo a placo
&et for yon also?"
' ' If you desire, I sh all bo most h appy, ' '
said Mr. Thauret
"Very well, " said Mr. Randolph. "I
will attend to it. I have somo letters to
wri-.- now, if you will excuse me. Meet
'me promptly at 7 in the private dining
reom."
Mr. Randolph left tho apartment and
went to the floor above. Hero ho joined
Mr. Barnes, who was awaiting him.
"Well," said the detective, "can you
manage it?"
"Everything is arranged. Mitchel is
here, and ho has brought Thauret with
him. I don't understand the intimacy
that has sprung up between those two,
but that is not to tho point. They wilt
dine with mo in our privato dining
room. I shall arrange that our meal
shall be served at a fable immediately
next to tho largo portiere that separates
V J- ani. satisneu wan your arrange-
fment and shall undoubtedly bo ablo to
jhear at least the greater part of what
ft occurs. '
"Very well. Now go to the library,
and at tho farther end, hidden behind $
newspaper file, you will be 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 instrnc-
tions, and Mr. Randolph went to the
dining room to perfect his arrangements.
At 7, on the minute, ho was joined by
his invited guests, and the three sat at
table. Shortly after the noise of dishes
on the other side of the poTtiere indi
cated that Mr. Barnes was being served.
About the third course Mr. Randolph
! endeavored to lead the conversation in
tho desired direction.
"Itrust," saidhe, addressing Mitchel,
"that you have entirely recovered from
thatunfortuuate illness that prevented
von from attending the affair at Rawls
ton's?" "Oh, yes!" said Mitchel. "It was
but a temporary matter. The only seri
ous result was that I was kept from the
festival. I think I might have saved
Miss Remsen from the annoyance of los
ine her ruby."
" "But, Mitchel," said Mr. Randolph,
"while of course oue does not liko to
lose so valuable a gem, at the same time
'you can safely replace it."
"What makes you think so?"
"Why, you havo so many jewels. Do
you know I was saying only recently that
any ono who, like you, would hoard
np rare gems, keeping them locked in a
vault where no one can see them, is in
away insane. I was glad when you
jr3v& that ruby to Miss. Rernsenand
i
tooic it as a symptom of "returning lucid
ity that you should unearth one of your
hidden treasures. I havo no doubt that
you havo others like it buried in some
corner of your safe. Why not get one
oat and present it to the lady?"
"You are mistaken, Randolph. I can
not so easily produce a mate to that
ruby."
j "Why not? Was there anything pe
culiar about it?"
! "Yes, but we will not talk of it. "
1 This curt way of dismissing the sub
ject was a surprise to Mr. Randolph,
I
for however little Mr. Mitchel cared to
' show his gems ho had never before been
! unwilling to embrace any opportunity
to talk about them. Mr. Randolph start
ed ina new direction, remembering the
hints of the detective.
"Mitchel," said he, "I would almost
be willing to wager that you not only
can give Miss Remsen as good a raby,
but that you could actually give her tho
samp one."
"I hope to do so," was tho quiet re
ply. :
"You don't understand me. I mean
that I half believe that your sickness in
Philadelphia was alla farce ; that you
came over and yourself stole tho gem. "
"Indeed? Aud what leads you to such
a preposterous deduction?"
"I think that this, is your way of cn
deavoring to win your wager. I think
that no one but yourself could have
taken tho pin from Miss Remsen's' hair,
as for no one else would she have sub
mitted.." "Randolph, your repeated allusions
tp Miss Remsen in this connection, and
especially your insinuation that I would
ask her to bo an accomplice in such a
pieco of duplicity, and that she would
consent, arc distasteful to me 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 you ! 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. Mitchol's
tone Of voico and tho words of his last
Epeech the detective felt certain that
whatever part Mr. Mitchel himself may
havo played in the robbery Miss Rem
sen was innocent. Ho also wondered
whether the conversation would now
drift back to tho ruby. Perhaps it would
not have dene so had not Mr- Thauret,
Who, up to this point, had scarcely
spoken during the progress of the meal,
ouco more broached tho subject.
"I beg pardon, Mr. Mitchel," said
ho, "but your remark just now, that
thero is something special about tho lost
ruby, has greatly excited my curiosity.
Unless you havo somo privato reason for
not doing so, I beg that you will toll us
the history of the gem, if it has one."
There was a pause, during which Mr.
Mitchel looked at his plate and seemed
as though studying a problem. Mr.
Randolph was delighted that Mr.
Thauret had como to his assistance in
this unexpected way, aud as ho observed
T7ic story.
Mr. Mitchel's hesitation it seemed to
him that thero was a contest going on
in his mind between a. powerful desire
to talk on his hobby and somo pruden
tial whisper that silence would be bet
ter. The detective also waited with
some anxiety, a piece of a sweetbread
on his fork, carried buj; lialJ? way to his
mouth.
"Well, gentlemen,'' at 'ast paid Mr.
Mitchol, "I will toll you the story."
Mr. Barnes took thq tidbit from his fork
with a smile that ehowed his teeth as
they bit it incisively. "First join me in
a glasp," continued Mr. Mitchel.
"Drink this ruby colored wine and
pledge mo that yon will not repeat what
I say. This only because I do not wish
to attain the uuenviable 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
is fresh in the memory of all. "
The pledge was given, and Mr. Mitch
ol continued:
"That you might better appreciate
this stone, I might begin with, a disser
tation on rubied, explaining tq you the
difference between, the true oriental gem,
which is rare of any magnitude, and the
poorer' specimens, known as spinels.
However, you would only accuse me of
ventilating knowledge which has come
to me 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 its earlier
history I can only tell you what has
been told me. You may believe as much
or as little as 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 p ft first in the
royal house pf the Egyptians. There was
another gem, the exact counterpart to it
This Pharaoh ha among Jus 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 we learn that it was kept by the
high priests of the synagoguo and so
passed down from generation to genera-
i tion. One- odd fact I must not forget,
j The deep red color, as you know, is the
most prized. The color of this ruby at
the present time is the most perfect in
existence. Yet, so tho story goes, at first
the xnatched pair of gems were of a pale
rose color."
"Do you mean us to believe," inter
rupted Mr. Randolph, "that the color
has deepened with time?".
"I do not ask you to believe anything.
But it is not time that is supposed to
have improved the color., Wth the con
quest of Jerusalem this jewel fell into
the hands pf iheFjemans, and so.Ja.
time came Into the possession of Csesar.
In his courtship of Cleopatra he soon
discovered that extraordinary woman's
passion for resplendent jewels, and ho
was audacious enough to present it to
her. Fearing that this might be readily
traced to him when the jewel was miss
ed, as it would surely be, he told her
secretly of hi? purpose and then tied it
about the neck of a pigeon, which flow
with it directly to the palace of Cleo
patra, who awaited the arrival of the
bird on the rooftops. The pigeon, when
nearly home, was attacked by a hawk,
and Cleopatra ordered one of her archers
to slay the larger bird with his arrow.
This the man attempted, butiitruck the
pigeon, which fell, bleeding and dead,
at the queen's feet. She at once remov
ed the gem, which was covered with
blood and dyed with it a rich red."
"But, Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. Thau
ret, "surely aruby could not absorb
blood?"
"It is the history of tho gem. Mr.
Mitchel spoke in so odd a tone that ono
almost thought that, carried away by
his love of precious stones, he had im
bibed Eome 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 stono 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 there
is an incident that has not been written
in the general history of her career.
Thero 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
her. 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 he answered,
that he could give his life. The queen
laughed and said : 'That is mine already.
But you priests claim to be all wise.
Find mo the mate to my great ruby and
porhaps I will listen to your love plead
ings.' To her intense surprise the man
replied: 'That I could do if I dared.
The 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 mp,' was tho
terse reply of Cleopatra, given now as a
command rather than a request.
"In fear the priest went into the pyr
amid and stolu the jewel. When ho
presented it to Cleopatra, she cried out
at him : 'What fool's trick is this? Do
you think this pale stono 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 one shall be also a richer red. You
promised mo your life onco. I claim it,
and in your blood this stone shall be
steeped till it matches the other in col-
or. ' Sho carried out her threat, and the
two stones wero once more mates. "
"What an absurdity!" exclaimed Mr.
Randolph.
"Do not say so," said Mr. Thauret
"Wo cannot tell what may happen in
this world."
"The next phango of owners was
when Cleopatra killed herself. One of
her handmaidens stole the two rubies,
but she herself was taken., a slave, to
Roma and sold. Her purchaser discov
ered the rubies, took them from her,
and tben Pbcretly murdered her, lest she
might tell that ; he' bad them. From this
time pn they have gone by the name of
the 'Egyptian gems. ' I need not give
you tho wholalistof robberies and mur
ders that have been connected with the
two stones, though I havo the written
record complete, with names of all tho
victims. Snffico it to say that for years
no one was the gainer by getting 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 the market. Be
fore this each new .owner had obtained
the jewels either by theft or murder and
dared not admit that he had them. An
other curious thing is that no ono has
ever succeeded in hiding the jowels so
that they could not be found. They
have been secreted between the stones
of a wall, they have. been sewed, under
the hide pf an ass an hidden. Mother
pqually pbscurp pjaces, yet always tho
next thief has,fqund aud taken them."
''Ah, that is interesting!" Eaid Mr.
Thanret. 'But tell us frankly, since
we are pledged 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 bo susbtantiated
by recent events too."
"How so?"
"Well, my usual interest in large
gems led me to police headquarters
when that woman Rose Mitchel was
killed, after having been robbed. The
jowels, you remember, had been, quickly
recovered and, are Vtil in. the ia'uda of
the police.' I was allpwe q see them,
and "the ruby in, tbqt Jot is; undoubtedly
tho mate tQ mine."
iiyou think that it was the presence
of that stone which led to the discovery
by the police of the satchel containing
the jewels?"
Mr. Thauret seemed much interested,
but Mr. Mitchel merely shrugged his
shoulders for answer, though it seemed
plain that ho did hold that opinion. Mr.
Barnes wondered whether Mr. Thauret's
interest was due to the fact that, having
stolen the jewels, ho was astonished to
hear of so strange an explanation of
their recovery from the. hpte where he
had hiddeti them. le the syn's next
words seemed to $ispel such iTJPidea. He
said :
"You. niay believe in that sort of
thing, Mr, Mitchel, but I, who have
only nioderp ideas, cannot accept any
such theory. The fact that the stones
have always been discovered when hid
den has led those who know tho history
to mistake a chain of coincidences for
evidence of supernatural power within
the stones themselves. I think lean
readily account for the series of hidings
and findings."
"I should be pleased to have you do
so," said Mr. MitcheL
"Have you never read Edgar Poe's
tale, the ono where a letter is stolen and
hidden? The detectives failed to find it,
though it was in plain sight all the,
timo, but another man did find ij. He
went upon the correct theory tha the
thief, knowing that a search "would be
rnade, and guessing that all obeeure
places would be explored first, would
hide it in some commonplace manner.
He visited the apartments, and found
the letter in the letter rack. Now this
is ingenious, but MrvPoe here gives us
& bit of special pleading and a enrioqs
anomaly at tho same time, .fie wVinea
to show that an obscure corner would be
a bad hiding place, and so worked out
his result. At the same time he draws a
skillful thief who baffled expert police,
and yet who hid his letter where the
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 the
thief to hjde his stolen property."
"And thatplace is?" asked Mr. Mitch
el j himself betraying, interest
"Upon his own person, where at all
times he could be on the alert to thwart
the searching committee. "
"Ah, you are forgetting," said Mr.
Mitchel, "that idea was not overlooked
by Edgar Poo. In the tale the man was
waylaid by officers in disguise, who
bound him and thon searched him. 11
the letter had been about him, it would
have been found."
"Not at all. The letter was placed
in an envelope, which had been turned,
and then mailed so that on the reverse
it received the postal imprint. This
foiled the detectives when they exam
ined the letter rack. It would havo
fooled them in exploring his pockets if
found with other letters similarly ad
dressed. On the other hand, had it been
in his pocket the man who finally ob
tained it could have done so by creating
a confusion in tho street which attracted
tho man to the window. "It would have
been difficult for him even to guess that
it was in the pocket. Besides with the
ruby it would be simple, since it is an
article that can bo disposed of at a mo
ment's notice. "
"Very true," said Mr. Mitchel,
"but" Here he paused for a moment
and seemed abstracted. Quickly recov
ering, he said : "What was I saying? I
have lost the thread of our conversa
tion." ' 'Mr. Thauret suggested that the thief
could keep the 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
stolen the gem as, by tho Wtiy, Ran
dolph, you suggested I could do better
than that."
"Ab," said Mr. Randolph, "this is
getting interesting. Come, tell us. How
phould 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 tho
thief, whoever he is, cannot profit by
his theft"
"Why not?" asked Mr. Thauret
"Because there is not another gem in
existence save those two which 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 pf ono o these gems in
the manper described, Dealers some
times cut & pigeprt'a throat to compare
the blood with the color of a gem being
appraised? The significance of this is
that the stolen genismnnot be sold as it
is because it would bo recognized, and I
havo notified all the great dealers in the
world that my 'Egyptian gem' has been
stolen. If it were attempted to havo it
cut up, the lapidary would at once re
port the matter, as the reward offered by
me is greater than could be earned by
recutting tho stone."
"Supposo that tho thief himself is a
gem cutter?" asked Thanret.
"Even then tho perfect color would at
once tell the first dealer to whom he ap
plied that the 'Egyptian gem' had been
recut "
"The thief might be a patient man,
and all things come to him who waits,"
replied Mr. Thauret
"True," said Mr. Mitchel. "But
mark my words, the 'Egyptian gem
will not be sold by the. person who has
it now."
"Especially if that person is your
EOlf," 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 leavo thp
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 surprised and chagrined to
read:
When Mr. Barnes next playa tho eavesdrop
per, ho should bo careful to observe whether
a mirror reflects both sides of aportiero which
ho might Bupposo would conceal him.
MlicnEU
"The devil take itl" muttered Mr.
Barnes. "I wonder at what point he
discovered my presence. Was that last
part about his having warned, all tho
dealers thrown in gra.tu.itQusly for my
benefit and tq Read me tQ snppose that
some one pis Ptple tbeetone? Jiso, why
loes he now let me know that ho saw
me?"
TO BF. CONTINUED.
HUMFHRETS'
Nothing has ever been produced to
equal or compare with Humphreys'
"Witcll Hazel Oil as a curative and
healing application. It has been
used 40 years and always affords relief
and always gives satisfaction.
It Cures Piles or Hemorrhoids, External
or Internal, Blind or BJecdingrJtchtng and
Burning bracks, or Jjsiures and Fistulas.
IleUef rmeTOtecure certain.
" It Cures BURNS, Scalds and Ulceration and
Contraction from Bums. Relief instant
It Cures Torn, Cut and Lacerated
Wounds and Bruises. '
It Cures Boils, Hot Tumors, Ulcers, Old
Sores, Itching Eruptions, Scurfy or Scald
Head. It is Infallible.
It Cures Inflamed or Caked Breasts
and Sore. Nipples. It is invaluable.
It Cures Salt Rheum, Tetters, Scurfy
Eruptions, Chapped Hands, Fever Blisters,
Sore Lips or Nostrils, Corns and Bunions,
Sore and Chafed Feet, Stings of Insects.
Three Sizes, 25c 50c. and $1.00.
Sold by Druggists, or ssat post-paid oa receiptor pries.
HrXPHRXTS XEB. C8.r 111 11 J WHBu St., Tfew Ytrk.
W1TGH HAZEL OIL
E. B. WARNER.
JPuneral Director.
AND EMBALMER.
A ful) line of first-cl'asfl funeral supplies
always in stock.
NORTH PLATTE, - NEBRASKA.
Telegraph orders promptly attended lo.
A Connecticut man has issued a
a calendar almanac covering a
period of 67,713,250 years. It will
be useful to democrats who are
looking forward to the time when
their party will get another chance
to run. the country.
Dr. A. P. Sawyer I have had Rheumatism since
I was 20 jcara old, but sinco using y6nr Family
Cure have been free from it- It also cured my
husband, of the same disease. Mrs. Bobt Con
nelly. Brooklyn, Iowa. Sold by P. n. Longley.
The gifts to colleges, churches,
libraries and public charities in
this country last year amounted to
$28,943,549, against $19,967,116 in
1894. This is one of the items that
always manage to elude the profes
sional socialist.
deapnisscannotIbe CURED
by local applications as they cannot reach
the diseased portion of the ear. There
i3 only one way to cure deafness, and
that is by constitutional remedies.
Deafness is caused by an inflamed con
dition of the mucous lining of tho Eus
tachian Tube. When this tube is in
flamed qu have a rumbling sound or
imperfect hearing, and when it is entire
ly closed, Deafness is the result, and un
less the inflamation can be taken out
and this tube restored to its normal con
dition, hearing will be destroyed forever;
ninecaseBoutof ten aro caused by ca
tarrh which is nothing but an inflamed
condition of the mucous surfaces.
We will give Ono Hundred Dollars
for any case of Deafness (caused by
catarrh) that cannot bo cured by Hall's
Catarrh Cure. Send for circulars; free.
P. J. Choney & Co., Toledo, O.
ES- Sold by all Druggist, 75c.
KING SOLOMON'S U0TI0IT
That "There is nothing new under
the sun" does not always convey
the truth. Especially is" this true
as regards the new composite cars
now operated daily via The Chicajro,
Union Paeific and Northwestern
Line between Salt Lake City and
Chicago.
These handsome Buffet Smoking
and Library Cars are entirely new
throughout, of latest design, con
tain all modern improvements, and
are well supplied with writing
material, the leading daily papers,
illustrated periodicals, magazines,
etc.
The fact that these cars run daily
via The Overland Limited" and
that the Union Pacific was the line
west of Chicago to inaguratc this
service should ccTmmend itselt for
all.
See that your tickets read via
"The Overland Route".
J. F. CAMPBELL
(North Side Grocer)
Invites the attention of the
purchasing public to his fresh
and clean stock of
Groceries, Provisions,
Flour and Feed.
Everything as represented and
goods sold as low as the low
est. Remember the place
The North Side.
Give us a Call.
Jos. Hershey,
DEALER IN
Agricultural : Implements
OP ALL KINDS,
Farm and Spring Wagons,
Buggies, Road Carts,
Wind Mills, Pumps, Barb
Wire, Eta.
Locust Street, between Fifth 4ind Sixth
NORTH PLATTE
MARBLE : WORKS,
W. C. RITNER,
Maa'f'rof and Dealer la
MONUiMENTS, : HEADSTONES,
Curbing, Building Stone,
And all kinds of Monumental and Cemetery work,
Careful attention given to lettering of every de
Hcription. Jobbing done on short notice. Orders
solicited and estimates freely fnni?hed.
GEO. NAU MAN'S
SIXTH STREET
MEAT MARKET.
Meats at wholesale and re
tail Fish and Game in
season. Sausage at all
times, Cash paid for Hides.
U. P. TIME CARD.
Taking, effect January Sto. 189S.
EAST BOUND-Eastern Time.
-No. 2, Fast Mall Departs 0:00 a m
Ho. 4, Atlantic Express " 11:00 pm
No. 28, FreifeHt 7:00 a in
WEST BOUND Western. Time.
No. 1, Limited... Departs 3:03 p m
No. 3, Fast Mail . ., " 11:25 p m
No. 17, Freight.. " 1 :50 p m
No. 23, Freight . .. 7:50 a m
N. B. OLDS, Agent.
JjlRENCH & BALDWIN,
ATT0R2TEY8AT-LAW,
NORTH PLATTE, - -. NEBRASKA.
Office over N. P. Ntl. Bank.
1;
17JLCOX & HALLIGAN,
ATTORNEYS-AT-&AW,
XJOBTH PLATTE, - - - NEBRASKA.
Office over North Platte National Bank.
D
R. N. P. DONALDSON,
Assistant Surgeou Union Pacflc Bi"',r
and Member of Pension Board,
NORTH PLATTE, ... NEBRASKA.
Office over Streitz's Drag Store.
ST-A-TZEZMIZEILTT
Of the Condition of the
3VA, 4J M1 UATi
Building aqd Loan lociaiioq,
of North Platte, Nebraska, on the 81st daj of
December, 1893:
ASSETS.
First Mortgage Loans $107 000 00
Loans secured by stock of thts Associa
tion 1 400 00
Interest paid 10 693 K
Expenses and taxes paid 3 010 60
Profiti 8 247 35
Cash with treasurer 42 51
Total 30 810 40
LIABILITIES.
Capital stock paid up 46 770 CO
Premiums paid 29 009 75
interest received 21 EwJ 00
Pines collected 4U5 W
Matured stock of First series unpaid. . . 31 800 00
Entry fees 162 25
Transfer fees SO 50
Canceled shares in treasury 63 CO
Total $130 629 40
State ol Nebraska, Lincoln county, ss.
I Samuel Goozee, secretary of the above-named
Association do solemnly surcarthat the foregoing
statement of the condltiou of said Association i
true and correct to the best of my knowledge am!
belief. Sahttzi. Goozze, Secretary.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 7th day
January, 1596.
II. M. OntMes, Notary Public.
Approved: Tnos. C. Patterson, )
C. F. Ipdinoj, V Directors.
Victoh VonGoktz, )
ItKFESEES' SALE.
By virtue of a ilecree of the district court of
Lincoln county, Nebraska, rendered in an action
pendlntrin said court wherein Irvine B. Bostwlck
et. al., an plaintiffs and Fannie B. Myers et. al.
are defendant, the undersigned duly appoint"!
reicrees in sold cause win on ine lotu day of Feb
ruary, 1S96, at one o'clock p. m. at the east front
door of the court honso of raid county, in Nortb
Platte, sell tne following described real estate, to-
wlt: The southwest quarter of the uortheart quar
ter, tne nortn naif of tne southeast quarter and
southeast quarter of tho southeast quarter of Sec
tion twentv-seven (27), Township ten (10) north of
Range Thirty-one (31V west of the Sixth P. M.. at
fiubllc auction to the highest bidder on the follow
ng terms, viz: One-third cash and balance in
three equal annual paymentswith interest at seven
per cent per annum on deferred payments.
Deferred payments to oe wecured by nrat mort
gage on said premises.
Dated Nortn Platte, Xeb., Jan'y 6th, ib'Jtj.
Or a E. Eldxk, ' j
A. S. Baldwin, -Referees
jUS Geoege McAllister, i
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION.
Land Offlce at North Platte, Neb., ?
December Cth, 1893. f
Notice is hereby given that the following-named
settlor has filed notice of his intention to make
final nroof In snnnortof his claim, and that said
proof will bo made before the Register and Re
ceiver at North Platte, Nebraska, on January
16tn, 16WJ, viz:
JAMES A. KERR.
who made Uomcatead Entry No. 16,013, for the
Southwest quarter of Section 2i. Township 9,
uango -a. no- uamcs tne loiiowing witnesses
to prove his continuous residence upon and
cultivation of said land, viz: Edward Jackson,
J. M. Grandstaff, J. A. Damoron and Lyman
Gardner, all of Moorefield, Nebraska.
93-8 JOHN F. UINMAN, Register
NOTICE FOR rUBLlCATIO.N.
Land Oitice at North Platte, Neb.,
January 4th, 1896. $
Notice is hereby given that the following-named)
sottler has filed notice of bis intention to mat"-
final proof in support of his claim, and that said;
proof will bo made before the Register and Re
ceiver at North Platto, Nebraska, on February
11th, 1896, viz:
JOHN L. McGBEW,
who made Homestead Entry No. lfi.899. forth
east half of the southeast quarter and the southwest
quarter of the southeast quarter and the southeast
quarter of the southwest quarter eection 30, town
ship 16 north, range 29 west. He names tho follow.
Ing witnesses to prove his contlnuons residence
upon and cultivation of, said land, viz: Lewis
O. Elliott and Enoch Cummlngs, all of North
Platte, Neb., Robert J. Minzie, of Myrtle, Neb.,
and William T. Macrandcr, of North Platte, Neb.
JOHN F. HI Nil AN,
2-6 Register.
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION.
U. S. Land Office, North Platte, Neb.,
January 7th, 1898. S
Notice is hereby given that the following named
settler has filed notice of bis intention to make
final proof in support of his claim and that said
proof will be made before the Register and Re
ceiver at North Platte, Neb., on February 21st,
169t5, viz;
JOSEPH W. STUMP,
who made Homestead Entry No. 16050 fortbe
Northeast quarter of Section 12, Township 11 N..
Itango SO W. He names the following witnesses
to prove bis continuous residonce upon and culti
vation of said land, viz: Acton D. Qrr, of North
Platto, Neb., Clifton C. Dawson. DoWitt TV Van
Brocklin and Martin VanBrocklln, all of Watts.
Nob.
jllG JOHN F. UINMAN, Register
NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION.
U.S. Laud Office, North Platte. Neb., '
January7th, ISm
Complaint having been entered at Ibis office t7
Abigail E. Furnish agalnet the heirs of Mordica
C. Furnish, deceased, for failure to comply with
law as to Timber-culture entry No. 7653 dated Oc
tober 27th, 1S55, upon the south half of the North
east quarter of Section 19, Township 9 N Range
29 w., in Lincoln county, Nebraska, with a view to
the cancellation of said entry, contestant alleging
that thero has never been any land broke outer
cultivated in any of the years since the land was
token and that no trees have been planted on fold
land; tho said parties are hereby summoned to
appear at this office on tho 27th day of February.
Ib9t3. at 9 o'clock a. m., to respond and furnish
testimony concorning said alleged failuro.
J110 JOHN F. UINMAN, Register.
SMOKERS
In search of a good cigar
will always find it at J.
F. Schmalzried's. Try
them and judge.
.?
Claude weingand,
DEALER IN
Coal OilQasoline;
Orude Petroleum and
Coal Gas Tar.
Leave order at Ne4