Show I Master Strokes s of G Great tal Detectives S By EY GEORGE BARTON DARTON Inspector S Sweeney ne and the Stolen Gems I Sir William and Lady Hart Harte gave ga e a 0 wonderful reception at their Weir ful flit country teat seat Just outside of Lon ton don It W was the co consummation of a 0 house part party and the guests included the best beet t people In England There were forty of them in all aU and four at least were ere related to UJ the royal family fam fam- ily Uy For this occasion the host hostess hostes d de dg to deck herself out In the Hart Halt gems gems rare rare old family heirlooms heirlooms- both unique and costly The Jewels lay on her dressing table but before forel putting them on on her ladyship stepped Into the room of her friend Lady on the other side of the corridor When she returned the Hart gems were gone That brought John Sweeney detec tive Uie inspector of Scotland Yard on the scene He requested that no one lea e the house that night TV Two o sen servants ants were sent ent to give g the gatekeepers their or or- or ders Cross CroM examination of the servants ser ser- ants brought no results It came out incidentally that John Martin valet and attendant of oC Sir Archibald Hunter Hunt Hunt- er had been seen in the corridor leading to Lady Harts Hart's room at the time of the robbery But Sir William Hart said aid that Sir Archibald and his attendant had left leH the day before WI en the c detective left lest for Scot Scot- land Yard In the morning he carried car car- carried ried with him an old drinking glass but It had on It the Imprints of four fingers and a thumb The next discovery discovery dis dis- dis covery ery was that only one passenger had boarded the tram at the station near the Hart place the night before He lIe alighted at nt the first station Uon this side of or London The ramshackle cab he u. u wed used was as located d. d and on Its dirty door they found the imprints of four fingers and a 11 thumb The cabman was able to lead the detective detec detec- tive th-e to a mean looking frame house home houseIn In the suburbs Detective e Sweeney alighted aUght d and rapped at the door vig Ig After a long wait walt a smooth- smooth shaven man In his shirt sleeves re- re The detective deu was as ke keyed ed up to his responsibility He did not give the man time to speak peak but said sharply Good morning Mr Martin The man lUan drew back How did cUd you know know- he began then changing his manner to one o ol of defiance he cried My names name's not Martin Oh Ob yes It is was the cheerful response youre John Martin Well was the dogged response what do you want I 1 want Lady Harts Hart's gems snapped napped the det detective The fellows fellow's face became ashen and he started to retreat But It was too late In a Q thrice the detective had 1134 ElIp slipped flipped ed a n. pair of handcuffs upon his slender wrists That night John Martin Marlin was behind be behind be- be hind prison bars and Lady Harts Hart precious gems had been re restored to her There was no possible ible doubt about abou his 1113 guilt gum The maidservant who had almost cried her eyes ejes out at the m mere mer re thought that she might be suspected was WM delighted with the return of th the Jewels John Martin proved to be a a. professional professional pro pro- thief On numerous occasions occasions occasions occa occa- he had acted as an extra manat man manat at house parties Forged references and a a. month of or faithful service en enabled enabled eo- eo hUn him to get a a. position with Sir Archibald Hunter who was wn a respect respect- respected ed t younger son on of an nn but bul not particularly wealthy family In Indue due course of oC time he formed one of the retinue of Sir William Harts Hart's house under the name of John MarUn Martin Martin Mar Mar- tin Un valet and attendant to his master mas mas- ter ler Sir Archibald He left Sir Williams William's hou house with his master on the night before the conclusion of the house party so that his alibi In that connection was strong enough but he made It a a. point to return the following night How he slipped into Lady Harts Hart's room put the gems in his pockets and then mingled with mth the other sen servants ants was easily proved pro Vins Copyright by Public lIc Ledger Udger |