DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22217#0160
148 M'SWEENY AND THE MAGIC JEWELS.
excellent swimmer, I managed to save myself. I returned to
Edinburgh, but my tormentor was soon upon my track again,
and even yet he continues his persecutions upon every occasion
when there is no chance of being seen. Possibly he is at the
bottom of this mysterious robbery."
M'Sweeny asked the name of this persecutor, and after a
good deal of demur on the part of Mr Stafford, the name was
given, when it proved to be that of an eminent professor, as
renowned for his learning as for his goodness. M'Sweeny was
a good deal staggered, but took leave, saying he would make
inquiry into the matter, and see that Mr Stafford was annoyed
no longer.
When he came to me with his report I laughed outright, and
said—
" Why, the man's mad! I wonder you did not see it in
him before."
"What man? The Professor?" inquired M'Sweeny, with
great simplicity.
"No, this Mr Stafford."
M'Sweeny would not believe it, and I suggested that we
should ascertain if he had really drawn £200 from the bank
on the day of the alleged purchase of the jewels. I did not
believe that he had, but was surprised at the bank to find that
he had really drawn that sum. We then went over every
jeweller's in Princes Street, but could not discover one who
had sold to any one on that day the jewels described as stolen
so magically. After thinking over these discoveries for a little,
I formed in my mind a theory, which proved pretty sound in
the end, and which I proceeded to test, by going out to Mr
Stafford's house in company with M'Sweeny, and having a talk
with that gentleman upon general topics. When done, I felt
slightly disappointed. I could find no trace of insanity about
the man, but then I ought to have remembered that my pro-
fession is not to detect lunacy, but thieves. Still, acting on
my theory, I requested permission, and Mr Stafford's assistance,
to search the whole house. This was given with the greatest
alacrity. We went over every room and closet, but Mr
Stafford's study, without discovering anything. Then we came
to that room, and I promptly asked for .his keys. The request
appeared to stagger him, but was granted, and I turned out all
the drawers in his writing-table. At the bottom of one of
them was an envelope or thick packet, which I took up, but
which he as hastily tried to take from me, saying—
excellent swimmer, I managed to save myself. I returned to
Edinburgh, but my tormentor was soon upon my track again,
and even yet he continues his persecutions upon every occasion
when there is no chance of being seen. Possibly he is at the
bottom of this mysterious robbery."
M'Sweeny asked the name of this persecutor, and after a
good deal of demur on the part of Mr Stafford, the name was
given, when it proved to be that of an eminent professor, as
renowned for his learning as for his goodness. M'Sweeny was
a good deal staggered, but took leave, saying he would make
inquiry into the matter, and see that Mr Stafford was annoyed
no longer.
When he came to me with his report I laughed outright, and
said—
" Why, the man's mad! I wonder you did not see it in
him before."
"What man? The Professor?" inquired M'Sweeny, with
great simplicity.
"No, this Mr Stafford."
M'Sweeny would not believe it, and I suggested that we
should ascertain if he had really drawn £200 from the bank
on the day of the alleged purchase of the jewels. I did not
believe that he had, but was surprised at the bank to find that
he had really drawn that sum. We then went over every
jeweller's in Princes Street, but could not discover one who
had sold to any one on that day the jewels described as stolen
so magically. After thinking over these discoveries for a little,
I formed in my mind a theory, which proved pretty sound in
the end, and which I proceeded to test, by going out to Mr
Stafford's house in company with M'Sweeny, and having a talk
with that gentleman upon general topics. When done, I felt
slightly disappointed. I could find no trace of insanity about
the man, but then I ought to have remembered that my pro-
fession is not to detect lunacy, but thieves. Still, acting on
my theory, I requested permission, and Mr Stafford's assistance,
to search the whole house. This was given with the greatest
alacrity. We went over every room and closet, but Mr
Stafford's study, without discovering anything. Then we came
to that room, and I promptly asked for .his keys. The request
appeared to stagger him, but was granted, and I turned out all
the drawers in his writing-table. At the bottom of one of
them was an envelope or thick packet, which I took up, but
which he as hastily tried to take from me, saying—