Leaves from Detective Life

“Who came in this carriage, John?” 

“Mrs. Myrtle, from the avenue, I believe, sir. She’s met with a great loss.  Diamonds I heard them say. The chief’s been waiting for you some time.”  

John was the doorman from the Central Office. The carriage was drawn up in front of the station, and with the crimson silk lining, plate glass front and gilt bubs, resembled a miniature palace on wheels. 
  
The two men on the box, clothed in livery and sitting bolt upright, with their arms folded; the polished and highly gilt harness, and the well groomed horses—all indicated the wealth of the owner, the widow Myrtle, whom I knew by reputation as one of the wealthiest ladies of New York.  
  
I passed into the office, and in a moment afterward was introduced to Mrs. Myrtle as the officer for whom the chief had been waiting to take charge of the case.  

It appeared from her statement that on the day of her marriage to Mr. Myrtle, that gentleman had presented her with a diamond cross, containing thirteen brilliants, the centre one alone being valued at seven hundred dollars, and the others ranging from five hundred to two hundred and fifty dollars each.  
  
This made a costly ornament—so costly, indeed, that she seldom wore it but kept it carefully concealed in her jewel case. In looking over her jewel box on the morning of the day in which she had come to the office, she had discovered its loss; and there was something curious about this, also.  

In putting the jewel away, she had placed it in a small box, wrapped the box in white paper, sealed it, and laid it away among the other valuables—nor had she unsealed it until that day, and then out of mere curiosity; but upon opening the little… Read More