THE HISTORY OF THE RUBY.
During the next two weeks there were 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. The detectives
from the central office came and went mysteriously, and were silent to
all questioners, the while maintaining an expression which plainly said,
"We could an' if 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
promising starting-point, and the more he thought, the more he was
tempted to make a trip to New Orleans, to unravel this, as he had many
other mysteries, "from the other end." Yet he hated to leave the scene
where were the chief actors 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:
"DEAR SIR--Since you have engaged me 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 first interview that I had with you you may recall
that you stated that your friend, in your opinion, is somewhat
insane on the subject of celebrated jewels. You said, in effect,
that if he were pressed a little on this line 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 upon his hobby,
but, as you know, he is on the defensive with me. Can you in some
way arrange to have a talk with him yourself and draw him out,
whilst I should be secreted where I could overhear the
conversation? I should wish you to mention the loss of the ruby, to
suggest, 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 before. From such a conversation I might get a hint,
which, seeming as nothing to you, might be valuable to me. Will you
do this? Remember you yourself said that 'all is fair,' etc.
"Yours truly,
"J. BARNES."
In reply to this he received a note asking him to meet Mr. Randolph at
his club on the following evening.
The next afternoon Mr. Mitchel called at the Hoffman House and went up
to the room occupied by Mr. Thauret, finding that gentleman at home. Mr.
Thauret advanced to meet him, and the two shook hands cordially.
"Thauret," began Mr. Mitchel, "I want to talk to you seriously about
that jewel robbery."
"I am all attention," said Mr. Thauret, lighting a cigarette and
dropping into a comfortable rocking-chair.
"To begin with, let me recapitulate. I will go back to our partnership
arrangement. You and I became, in a way, secret partners, or, perhaps,
'gambling pals' would be more accurate. At that time I agreed to furnish
the capital for our operations 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 confidentially told me that you had a
method, or a system, by which losses could be avoided, or at least
controlled. Am I accurate?"
"Quite so, my friend. You have proven yourself an admirable silent
partner, since you have allowed me to have my own way, paying the bills
and asking no questions, till now. Am I to understand that the losses
annoy you, and that you wish an explanation?"
"You may give me one in a moment. 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 the
other night, and yet you chose to give it to Fisher. Why was that?"
"It will be more simple to explain about the losses first, and come to
Fisher later. As you perhaps know, that detective Barnes has chosen to
place 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 the club, and
then placed myself where I could watch my man. In this way I soon
discovered that he had become intimate with 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. Consequently after that I made it a rule to lose."
"To lose my money!"
"To lose our money, since we are partners. You are simply advancing the
funds till I get remittances from Paris. You have my I.O.U.'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 consequence. 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 had heard of the winnings which I
made when Fisher 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
Philadelphia, 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 am 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, explaining that he was a
detective hunting down a celebrated criminal. He showed the fellow your
note. Afterwards he regretted having 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 dominos, and I failed to see
through the disguise. With the knowledge thus obtained, I determined to
have some amusement at the expense of your great detective, 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
tableaux might not be interrupted. Fisher was the only man I could ask
to assume the _role_. He acquiesced, and that is all there 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 me, were
you near when the robbery occurred? 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 suddenly cried out that a
robbery had been committed, and ordered masks off. I slipped out of my
domino, and went to him as soon as the lights were on."
"You might have suggested to him to search everybody, as he did on the
train."
"By George! that is just what I did, but he declined. I guess that train
experience made him dubious as to the value of that sort of thing."
At this both men laughed heartily, as though enjoying the discomfiture
of the detective.
"It seems," said Mr. Mitchel, "that Barnes suspected that the ruby was
to be stolen, and informed Mr. Rawlston early in the evening that there
would be thieves in the audience."
"Did he, indeed? Too bad that, with all his shrewdness, he was not able
to catch the thief, or thieves rather, eh?"
Once more they both laughed. Then Mr. Mitchel suggested that they should
go to the club, and thither they went. Upon entering, the doorkeeper
informed Mr. Mitchel that Mr. Randolph was in the parlor and desired to
see him. He and Mr. Thauret therefore went into the 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 here, and told the doorman to
send you to me in case you should turn up. I wanted company, that is
all."
"Don't like to eat alone, eh?"
"That is it. Eating is a nuisance, made tolerable only by good
companionship. 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 seven
in the private dining-room."
Mr. Randolph left the apartment, and went to the floor above. Here he
joined Mr. Barnes, who was awaiting him.
"Well," said the detective, "can you manage it?"
"Everything is arranged. Mitchel is here, and he has brought Thauret
with him. I don't understand the intimacy that has sprung up between
those two, but that is not to the point. They will dine with me in our
private dining-room. I shall arrange that our meal shall be served at a
table immediately next to the large _portiere_ that separates the
private dining-room from the main saloon. I 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 difficulty."
"I am satisfied with your arrangement and shall undoubtedly be able to
hear at least the greater part of what occurs."
"Very well. Now go to the library, and at the farther end, hidden behind
a newspaper file, you will be safe from the observation of prying eyes.
Promptly at seven, 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 instructions, and Mr. Randolph went to the
dining-room to perfect his arrangements. At seven, on the minute, he was
joined by his invited guests, and the three sat at table. Shortly after
the noise of dishes on the other side of the _portiere_ indicated that
Mr. Barnes was being served.
About the third course Mr. Randolph endeavored to lead the conversation
in the desired direction.
"I trust," said he, addressing Mitchel, "that you have entirely
recovered from that unfortunate illness that prevented you from
attending the affair at Rawlston's."
"Oh, yes," said Mitchel, "it was but a temporary matter. The only
serious result was that I was kept from the festival. I think I might
have saved Miss Remsen from the annoyance of losing her ruby."
"But, Mitchel," said Mr. Randolph, "whilst of course one does not like
to lose so valuable a gem, at the same time you can safely replace it."
"What makes you think so?"
"Why, you have so many jewels. Do you know I was saying only recently
that any one who, like you, would hoard up rare gems, keeping them
locked in a vault where no one can see them, is in a way insane. I was
glad when you gave that ruby to Miss Remsen, and took it as a symptom of
returning lucidity that you should unearth one of your hidden treasures.
I have no doubt that you have others like it buried in some corner of
your safe. Why not get one out and present it to the lady?"
"You are mistaken, Randolph. I cannot so easily produce a mate to that
ruby."
"Why not? Was there anything peculiar about it?"
"Yes, but we will not talk of it."
This curt way of dismissing the subject was a surprise to Mr. Randolph,
for, however little Mr. Mitchel cared to show his gems, he had never
before been unwilling to embrace any opportunity to talk about them. Mr.
Randolph started in a 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 ruby, but that you could actually
give her the same one."
"I hope to do so," was the quiet reply.
"You don't understand me. I 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 you to such a preposterous deduction?"
"I think that this is your way of endeavoring 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 submitted."
"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 me in the extreme. If you will pardon my saying so, it is
a poor entertainment to offer a guest."
"Oh, I meant no offence, old man, I assure you. We will drop the 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
accomplished. Mr. Barnes, however, thought differently, 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 Remsen 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. Thauret, who
up to this point had scarcely spoken during the progress of the meal,
once more broached the subject.
"I beg pardon, Mr. Mitchel," said he, "but your remark just now, that
there is something special about the lost ruby, has greatly excited my
curiosity. Unless you have some private reason for not doing so, I beg
that you will tell 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 come to his assistance in this unexpected way, and as he
observed Mr. Mitchel'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 prudential whisper that silence would be better. The
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 you the
story." Mr. Barnes took the tidbit from his fork with a smile 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 I do not wish to
attain the unenviable reputation of being a romancer, as I certainly
should if some reporter should hear and publish the story now, whilst
the loss of the gem is fresh in the memory of all."
The pledge was given, and Mr. Mitchel continued.
"That you might better appreciate this stone, I might begin with a
dissertation on rubies, explaining to 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 to 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 of it first in the royal house of the
Egyptians. There was another gem, the exact counterpart to it. This,
Pharaoh had amongst 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 we learn that it was kept by the high priests of
the Synagogue and so passed down from generation to generation. One odd
fact I must not forget. 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 the story goes, at first the matched pair of gems
were of a pale rose color."
"Do you mean us to believe," interrupted by 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. With the conquest of Jerusalem this
jewel fell into the hands of the Romans, and so in time came into the
possession of Caesar. In his courtship of Cleopatra he soon discovered
that extraordinary woman's passion for resplendent jewels, and he was
audacious enough to present it to her. Fearing that this might be
readily traced to him, when the jewel was missed as it would surely be,
he told her secretly of his purpose, and then tied it about the neck of
a pigeon, which flew with it directly to the palace of Cleopatra, who
awaited the arrival of the bird on the roof-tops. 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,
but struck the pigeon, which fell bleeding and dead at the queen's feet.
She at once removed the gem, which was covered with blood and dyed with
it a rich red."
"But, Mr. Mitchel," said Mr. Thauret, "surely a ruby could not absorb
blood?"
"It is the history of the gem." Mr. Mitchel spoke in so odd a tone that
one almost thought that, carried away by his love of precious stones, he
had imbibed some of the superstition connected with them. He spoke as
though he believed the tale. Mr. Barnes began to understand better 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 the story of Cleopatra. It is too well known. But
there 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 in a moment 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 me the mate to my great ruby, and perhaps I will
listen to your love pleadings.' To her intense surprise the man replied:
'That I could do, if I dared. The gem which you have has but returned to
its proper place. It was once Pharaoh'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 pyramid and stole the jewel. When he
presented it to Cleopatra she 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 one 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 the other in color.' 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
this 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 discovered 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 you the whole list of robberies and murders that have been
connected with the two stones, though I have the written record
complete, with names of all the victims. Suffice it to say that for
years no one was the gainer by getting possession of them. They have
always been impossible to sell, until I bought this one, which is the
first time either ever was offered honestly in the market. Before this,
each new owner had obtained the jewels either by theft or murder, and
dared not admit that he had them. Another curious thing is that no one
has ever succeeded in hiding the jewels, so that they could not be
found. They have been secreted between the stones of a wall, they have
been sewn under the hide of an ass, and hidden in other equally obscure
places, yet always the next thief has found and taken them."
"Ah, that is interesting," said Mr. Thauret. "But tell us frankly, since
we are pledged not to repeat what we hear, do you suppose there is any
power inherent in the stone which attracts persons to their discovery?"
"I cannot say, but that is one of the claims. This seems to be
substantiated by recent events too."
"How so?"
"Well, my usual interest in large gems led me to police head-quarters
when that woman Rose Mitchel was killed after having been robbed. The
jewels you remember had been quickly recovered and are still in the
hands of the police. I was allowed to see them, and the ruby in that lot
is undoubtedly the mate to mine."
"You 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 he did hold that
opinion. Mr. Barnes wondered whether Mr. Thauret's interest was due to
the fact that, having stolen the jewels, he was astonished to hear of so
strange an explanation of their recovery from the hotel where he had
hidden them. Yet the man's next words seemed to dispel such an idea. He
said:
"You may believe in that sort of thing, Mr. Mitchel, but I, who have
only modern ideas, cannot accept any such theory. The fact that the
stones have always been discovered when hidden has led those who know
the history to mistake a chain of coincidences for evidence of
supernatural power within the stones themselves. I think I can 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 one where a letter is stolen
and hidden? The detectives failed to find it, though it was in plain
sight all the time, but another man did find it. He went upon the
correct theory that the thief, knowing that a search would be made, and
guessing that all obscure 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 Mr. Poe here gives
us a bit of special pleading and a curious anomaly at the same time. He
wished 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 skilful 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 hide his stolen property."
"And that place is?" asked Mr. Mitchel, 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 Poe. In the tale, the man was waylaid by officers in
disguise, who bound him and then searched him. If 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 examined the letter-rack.
It would have fooled them in exploring his pockets, if found with other
letters similarly addressed. On the other hand, had it been in his
pocket, the man who finally obtained it could not have done so by
creating a confusion in the street which attracted the 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 be disposed of at a moment's notice."
"Very true," said Mr. Mitchel, "but----" Here he paused for a moment,
and seemed abstracted. Quickly recovering, he said: "What was I saying?
I have lost the thread of our conversation."
"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 the way,
Randolph, you suggested, I 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, you know." He said this in a significant way that
made Mr. Randolph uncomfortable for a moment. Mr. Mitchel at once
continued: "I will say this, however, that the 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 of one of these gems in the manner
described. Dealers sometimes cut a pigeon's throat 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 be
recognized, and I have notified all the great dealers in the world that
my 'Egyptian Gem' has been stolen. If it were attempted to have it cut
up, the lapidary would at once report the matter, as the reward offered
by me 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 applied 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 yourself," said Mr. Randolph.
"Just so," answered Mr. Mitchel.
The conversation now drifted to other things, and shortly after, the
dinner being 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 surprised and chagrined to read:
"When Mr. Barnes next plays the eavesdropper he should be careful
to observe whether a mirror reflects both sides of a _portiere_
which he might suppose would conceal him.
"MITCHEL."
"The devil take it," muttered Mr. Barnes. "I wonder at what point he
discovered my presence. Was that last part, about his having warned all
the dealers, thrown in gratuitously for my benefit, and to lead me to
suppose that some one else stole the stone? If so, why does he now let
me know that he saw me?"