The neu papers came as u aial on Friday
morning. To Mrs. liellhridgc’s amazement
It set tho question of the theft at rest, on the
highe t authority. An article appeared, in a
conspicuous position, thus expressed:
“Another of the many proofs that truth Is
stranger than fiction hasjui-t occurred at
Liverpool. A highly respected firm of ship
owners in that city received a strange letter
at the beginning of tho present week. I’re
inlsing that he had some remarkable circum
stances to communicate, the writer of the let
ter entered abruptly on the narrative which
follows. A friend of Ids connected with lit
erature had, it appeared, noticed a lady’s
visiting-card left on his desk, ami had been
reminded tiy It fin what way it was not
necessary to explain) of a criminal case
which had excited considerable public inter
c i at llio time, viz.; the trial of ('apt. West
erlieid for willfully casting away a ship un
der his command. Never having heard of
the trial, the writer, at his friend’s sugges
tion, consulted a file of newspapers—discov
ered the report and heeaniu aware for the
first time that a collection of Brazilian dia
monds, consigned to tho Liverpool firm, was
missing from the wrecked v< -sel when she
had been hoarded by the salvage party, and
had not been found since. Events which it
was impossible for him to mention (seeing
that doing so would involve a breach of cou
lidenee placed jn him hi his professional ca
paelty) had revealed to his knowledge a hid
ing place in wlneh these same diamonds, in
all probability, were coneealed. This clr
cumslaneo had left him no alternative, as an
honest man, but to he beforehand with the
persons who, as he believed, contemplated
stealing the precious tones. He had accord
ingly taken them under his protection until
they were identified and claimed by the
rightful owners, in now appealing to these
gentlemen he stipulated that the claim should
beset Id,lh iu writing, addressed to him un
der initials at a postollice in London. If the
lost property was identified to his satisfac
tion he would meet at a specified place, and
on a certain day and hour a person accred
ited by the firm, and would personally re
store Die diamonds, without claiming (or
consenting to receive) a reward. 