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 w