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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1950-10-19, Page 2HONESTY IS A RARE JEWEL A COMPLETE STORY By HOLLOWAY HORN Paul Tisane's shop in Bond Street was dim, discreet, ami world- famous, He knew most of the tricks of the jewel thieves, and it was several years since any of them had worried him. One morning, however, his friend Inspector Jevons rang hits up from the Yard. "That you, Paul? I just wanted to tell you that Slim Farrell is in town." "Indeed! And who is the gentle- man?" "He's the sort of chap who would try it out on you in order to have sometviing to boast about" "He'll have to he very smart— though I say it as shouldn't. Thanks partly to your own suggestions, we're almost thief -proof here." "Nevertheless, be on your guard. He's not an ordinary thief. Unlike most of them, he's clever and quite capable of springing something new On ns." "'What's he like?" "A man of fifty or so. Vero smart. Has an air about him. And clever, Used to be an actor, I understand." "I think I've heard of bins, Ameri- can, isn't he?" "No. But he often poses as one. And doee it very well," "Thanks very much, old man, for ringing up. We'll be ready for him, And will follow the usual plan if he puts in an appearance," Ten days later an elderly gentle. man carne into the shop. He spoke with an Australian accent. "Mr. Tisane?" he asked. " "Yes, sir," said the jeweller, "My name is Mobil," he went on. "Sir kugustus Mohil?" Tisane amplified. "Your photo was in yes- terday's paper." "I want a ring—nor too good, but a bit flashy, if you see what I mean. And I -want the whole thing discreet. Get me?" "I quite understand. If you will step thin way, sir---" He led the visitor to, a counter and placed before him a tray of rings that flashed in the morning light. The customer examined sev- eral, ami it was clear to Tisane that he knew what he was about. "They're expensive, you know," he said, but ultimately decided on a rather showy one with an almost imperceptible flaw in the stone— an otherwise lovely solitaire. Its price was one hundred and twenty- five pounds. He paid in notes, and there is no better guarantee of a man's standing and respectability—in a Bond Street shop, anyway—than a useful wad of fivers. "If there is any other way in which we can be of service, Sir Augustus," Tisane was saying, when he suddenly noticed that a very valuable ring was missing front the tray. The situatiou was an exceedingly delicate one. Sir Augustus Mobil was a distinguished and influential visitor to London, where he was attending a Government conference, Nevertheless, Tisane was absolute. ly certain that the ,ring had been on the counter between them, and now was not there. "Forgive rue," Tisane said ner- vously, "but—you didn't drop a ring, by any chance? Or inadvert- ently misplace itj" "I? Of course not," the customer said shortly, "I'ni— It's exceedingly strange, but the ring with that large reddish stone is missing. You remember examining it?" "I've examined twenty, at least, You must be mistaken, There has been no one near tis--" "I'm sorry, but I'ni not mistaken," said Tisane, slightly more firmly. "Yould you be so kind as to ex- amine your pockets, sir? One does the oddest things almost uncon- sciously." "My good man, I have an im- portant appointment in twenty min- utes' time in Downing Street, If this is your way of doing business you had better take back the ring I bought, What's your game? Blackmail?" Tisane had never been more un- comfortable in his life. He was, however, quite certain that the ring was missing, and, clearly, it had not disappeared into thin air. "You remember the ring?" he asked again. "Not particularly," "Anyway, I am quite certain it was on that tray when I placed it on the counter; it's not there now. Nobody has been near the counter but we too. The ring is worth a very considerable sum." "Are you suggesting that I've stolen the damned ring?" the cus- tomer demanded angrily. "No, of course not. But I do sug- gest that you may have mislaid subconsciously," the other snapped, "If you would step into my office, sir, I feel certain that we can clear the matter up. There is obviously some mistake," Unknown to the customer, Tisane had touched a bell -push with his foot the moment he had missed the ring. No change in that perfeeta ly-run establishment was apparent; but there were changes. "I—I don't want any bother. I told you the whole thing was—to be discreet," the customer said, as if he had suddenly remembered for whom the ring was intended. "I fully appreciate that. But you should also appreciate that I cannot afford to lose a very valuable ring. And I assure you that the ring is BY - HAROLD ARNETT PIECE OF INNER TUBE1 ,s/� CEMENTED TO SUCTION CUPS PIPE RACK *A PIECE OF INNER -TUBE CEMENTED TO TWO SUCTION CUPS STUCKTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKES A GOOD CAR PIPE RACK. Andrei And The Map—Andrei Vishinsky, Russia's Foreign' minister, studies a newspaper map of the Korean War as he :attends the UN General Assembly meeting in Flushing, N.Y., (Photo by NEA -Acme staff photographer Arthur Rickerby:) Wool Huroau Photo The fleece coat, in winter white—luxuriously textured all -wool coat for winter days. Wear it belted or loose and free swinging. Deeply -cuffed, boldly -buttoned, it is tailored for town or country. Styled by Lokash, Toronto, Brush and Hanger Technique Factor In. Well Dressed Look The woman who would look as beautifully dressed all fall and win- ter as she does on the first brisk - weather day, must well tnilerstand the "Brush and Hanger" technique. From its file on "expert advice for care of wool clothing" the Bureau has gleaned a number of basic' common-sense rules, easy to follow and important for the long life and beauty of wool apparel. Give Woollens Plenty of Room Wool has a natural resiliency that allows it to shape itself or fall back into original lines if shaken out gently and lung: up with sufficient space. Never jant woolens tightly into a closet. Use Well -shaped Hangers \Vide -shouldered ones should be used for coats and suits. Wooden or covered hangers for dresses. Pleats should be shaken into place and care taken that no nearby garment is pressing against the pleat lines. Brush Woollens Thoroughly After each wearing brush wool- len garments carefully with a firm bristled brush, paying particular attention to pleated skirts and fur - trimmed coats and suits. Turn fur - trim collars back and brush briskly into crevices, seam lines and under lapels. Let Wool Rest Vihen a garment has been re- moved, brushed and aired and prop- erly lung up, forget it for 24 hours, This will give it time to lose minor wrinkles as each little wool fibre gradually resumes its normal length or resilient weave pattern. * * Von will be fashion -right for fall end winter if you: listen For the two-sided story of turnabouts. Reversibles are "first in the fashion .story of today, with coats showing the way in double- faced tweeds, checks and matching plain woollen fabrics, Listen For the demand for excit- ing necklines with wide open re- veres and high rising -fill-in dickies and neckwear. Top off your special wool jersey dress with a matching or contrasting dickey touched with velvet. You'll be so right. Listen For the movement of wrapped and apron skirts—slim-as a reed when you stand still and yet free as air when you move about. Listen For the whisper of today's sinuous sheath silhouette. With the addition of that extra lightweight wool blouse, the sheathlike dress ' becomes a jumper dress by day, and an exciting 'gown for that special evening date. missing since you came into the shop." Tisane spoke in rather a different tone; he was beginning to won- der. "I'm a reasonable man, I hope. I will come into your office, as you suggest" The customer also spoke in a different tone. Whether he was aware of it or not, every eye in the shop was on him as he walked by Tisane's side into his private room. "You'd better satisfy yourself," he said, as they reached the sanc- tuary. "Go on," he said. "You go through my pockets. You obviously think I've taken the beastly ring." Tisane did so. He found the ring which the customer had bought and paid for, and' other personal things, but that was all. The ring, Tisane made certain, was not on the customer's person. "Now, I presume, I may go?" he said, when the jeweller's protracted examination was complete. At that moment the door opened and a tall, uncompromising -looking man carie in. "Ah!" said Tisane, with evident relief, "Here is a friend of mine. Mr. Jevons, I want to introduce you to Sir Augustus Mobil," "Flow d'you do, sir?" said the detective, who had been summoned by a member of the staff a' second after Tisane had touched that bell - push. "A most unfortunate misadven- ture," Tisane explained. "I was showing a tray of diamond rings to this gentleman when I discovered that a very valuable one was miss- ing," "Most unfortunate. But, of course Sir Augustus has nothing to do ' with -It. A gentleman in Isis posi- tion---" "Quite!" said the miserable Tisane. "Nevertheless, the ring is miss- ing," he insisted. "You have detained the here against my will for, twenty min- utes, at least," the customer said in a quiet, ominous tone. "May I use your 'phone? I should like to ring up my solicitors." "I assure you, sir, there is no need," Tisane said anxiously. "The mere suggestion that a man in my position—" the other went on, even more angrily. "I do understand that, sir," Tisane said, almost frantically. "Well, I've had enough of it. You have not yet given Inc a receipt for the ring I bought," he added, pugnaciously. "I'll get your receipt, sir," the jeweller said, "And I trust you can accept my apologies. You must see the difficult position I was in. In- deed, that I am still in." "All right. I don't bear you any ill -will, but I really must get away at once. Ask the commissionaire to call me a taxi, will you?" "Of course:" Tisane once again walked through the shop by the customer's side and stood by hint in the doorway as he waited for the taxi. From the shop behind him Jevons emerged and, linking his arm in that of the cus- tomer, drew hint back into the shop with a grip that left no mis- take as to his meaning. "That was a new one on me, Slim," he said with a smile, "What the devil do you mean?" the customer demanded, but Isis sudden start was not lost on Jevons. • "That moustache probably im- proves you," Jevons said calmly. "It snakes you look uncannily like the real Sir Augustus, but I hap- pen to have seen him, And I also happen recently to have been look- ing at some pictures of you, bath full face and profile, which a friend sent to us from America." Tisane was looking in antazc- ment.- "Conte on!" Jevons went on, and held out his hand: "You win," said the custotiier, and opened his hand. A superb jewel glinted wickedly at them. "It's beyond me," said Tisane. Jevons smiled "You remember he brushed against you as you carne through the door?"' "Yes." "That was when he picked your - pocket" "MY pocket?" 'Tisane gasped, Jevons nodded. "He's as clever a pickpocket as he is an actor." "How 'did you spot it?" Slim asked. There was 110 feeling in his words; it was one professional speaking to another, - Lf Superstitious This is For You If you are superstitious about avoiding black cats, walking round ladders, throwing salt over your shoulder and touching wood, but don't know why, there's a middle- aged lady who is out to help you. She has amassed material on 80,000 superstitions and is compiling an encylopedia to explain away your fears by exposing their origins, Her name is Claudia de Lys. She was born at Rouen, its France, with a caul—a thin veiling of membrane —over her face. Prophetic Powers The caul was removed, but super- stitious neighbours believed that it gave the child prophetic powers, insured her against drowning, and bestowed on her the power to save others from drowning. Strangers would conte from far away just to touch the child. They believed it would bring them good luck. When Claudia was three site vis- ited her grandfather, who owned a fleet of sailing vessels. Being a superstitious man, he took Claudia with him on a voyage to- Indo; China in the belief that her presence would help ward off trouble. Six months later she was return- ed to her mother unharmed. Three years later, without even telling her mother, a member of the crew of a fishing fleet "kidnap- ped" Claudia for a voyage to New- foundland. Again she was returned unharmed, But Claudia's mother, frantic with worry for her child's safety, also had a superstition. She believed that everything happened in threes and "knew" that a third voyage of this nature would kill her child. So Claudia was sent to an uncle in Indo-Cltina, When she grew up she decided to devote her life to exposing and. destroying all the ridiculous and harmful superstitions that were up- held throughout the world. She' didn't want another mother to have to send a beloved child away be- cause of fantastic fears. After studying law, medicine, and social anthropology at Calcutta University, Claudia spent twenty years wandering round tate world. Everywhere she went site investi- gated the fears and beliefs of the people she met, Now she has settled in the U.S.A. She says that the three most prevalent superstitions there are: 1. Touching wood, which links up with the primitive belief that gods lived in trees and one had to touch the trees to ask for a favour, 2. Fear of black cats, which be- gan when people believed that the Devil took the form of a black cat. 3. Fear of walking under ladders, which is connected with early pic- tures of the Crucifixion, showing Satan gnashing his teeth under a ladder. That area became known as the Devil's and was to he avoided. Now, how about that fresh match for the third cigarette? Nothing to dowith trenches in the First World War—or any war—says Claudia de Lys. It dates back to the death rites of ancient times, when three candles were lit from one paper. And if you find that a good enough reason to strike a second match you'd do better not to smoke. "The ring was missing. It wasn't on the counter or the floor. There- fore it must he on the person tither of Sir Augustus or Mr. Tisane. It was not on Sir Augustus. Therefore it was on Mr. Tisane—where you had planted it, All I had to do was to stay in the background and watch. Ah, here's the taxil You first, Mr. Tisane. And now .you, Slim, Vine Street police station," he added to the driver as he, too, entered the taxi. —From "Answers." Fashion Note fo Women "Pousse Cafe"—a pure silk taf- feta after -five dress. Beautiful- ly manipulated for utmost flat- tery, with intricate off -shoulder decoilette and distinctive side - drape. Famous milliner creates a bon- net of gold velours. Curved fan of shirred felt is posted high at one side and a brown mesh face veil adds the finishing touch of flattery. For all day wear, for comfort- able omfortable wear--Wingback earring that won't slip off, pinch of pull. Matching pendant neck- lace. Both in lovely etched mo' tif, antique finished. Happy finding.—Tn Houston, Tex., Mrs. Farr'ie Lee Bell holds her I1 -month -old -daughter Carolyn Sue. It had been claimed she was the child of the husband and the wife's "hest friend,' But a red birthmark identified Carolyn Sue (right) as Mrs, Tiell's daughter, -