The Young Widow

A Leaf from a Detective’s Portfolio

Sitting in the front office one morning, engaged in perusing the New York papers, I heard the chief’s bell tinkle rather excitedly. The sergeant answered it.

“Send Brandon to me,” next reached my ear through the half open door.

Before the sergeant could repeat the order, I passed him, and was by the side of the chief.

“Sit down, Mr. Brandon,” he said, as he continued making some notes in the register.

I obeyed and anxiously awaited his commands.

“I have a singular case before me this morning,” he began. “And I am about to try your ingenuity to unravel it.”

My expectation was aroused.

“On the 19th of last month the Hon. Mr. F——— gave a ball at his mansion in Fifth Avenue, which was attended by nearly all the elite of the city.”

“I remember it,” I said.

“Do you remember what occurred there?”

“Almost every lady in the room lost some jewelry,” I replied.

“Exactly, for which no one could account, as the party was most select, and it would have been an outrage to have suspected anyone present with stealing in such a wholesale manner.”

I acknowledged the justice of his remarks. The chief continued:

“On the thirteenth of the month, a grand promenade concert was given at the Academy of Music, and the same thing occurred. This would not seem so singular as there was plenty of opportunity for the professional pickpockets, but the remarkable feature is, that no gentlemen were robbed, but all who suffered were ladies.”

“This is indeed singular,” I replied.

“Perhaps,” responded the chief in a dubious tone. “Now for the last event: Yesterday morning, as you have probably heard, Mr. W—— was wedded to the daughter of Colonel H—— at Grace church. The… Read More