Storyteller.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 18, 29 July 1893, Page 13

Storyteller.

A.' DONKEY DETECTIVE; After a grand dinner at Aleppo, giveA.; by J. H. Skene, the English consul, some of the silverware used at, the . fete mysteriously disappeared. Great consternation prevailed, especially among the servants, for they knew that suspicion would rest upon them. Even the policemen—or cavasses as they are ternied in Turkey —- who were in the house during the feast, did not escape suspicion.: After mature reflection upon the mishap, the consul called the most intelligent of the cavasses; He questioned him. The cavass insisted that he did not steal the silver, and that he did not know who did. But the consul was a very good detective, and ready in his knowledge of men and things. He was also a cool-tempered man. He said to. the cavass : “ There is no use to swear. I am not going to change my opinion. I have good reason to suspect you to be the thief, and mean that you shall bring my silver to me within twentyfour hours, else you will be put into the hands of the authorities, and you will not get away until I find my property. There is no alternative.” “ Mr Consul,” said the cavass, “I have already told *you that 1 did hot steal your silver, but still you suspect me. I will, however, do all in my power to detect the robber. I only beg of you to do for me passively all that I will ask you to do.” The consul replied : “ I will do so provided that you bring back the property.” The cavass asked for two or three hours’ time and left. In an hour he came back bringing with him by the bridle a little donkey. This he presented to the consul, stating that the donkey would find out the thief, if he would allow the donkey to be placed in one of the rooms and the windowshutters to be closed, so as to darken the room. “Do so,” said the consul, who became curious to see what would result. After the donkey was placed in the dark room the cavass asked the consul to call everybody in the bouse, employees , cavasses, and servants. They came, and were placed in front of the door of the room where the donkey was. When all were present the cavass said — “ Now we are to enter this room one by one and to pull at the donkey’s tail. The donkey will make no sign, say nothing unless the robber is among them. Then, you may depend upon it, he will bray, and indicate who has stolen your goods. Oh, do not laugh. I have had occasion to make use of that remedy. It never fails. Now,” said he to the consul, “you go in first and pull the tail. We will all follow you, one by one.” The singular procession began, the consul in the lead. Every one entered the room and pulled at the donkey’s tail, but the donkey never brayed. After the performance was over and all came out, he asked if all of them had really pulled at the tail. All responded emphatically, “Yes!” “ How strange it is,” he said, “that the donkey did not bray. It seems' that the thief is not to be found amongst us. I cannot explain it otherwise.” He then formed them into a circle around him. “ Now, ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “ hands up, please.” Everyone obeyed. “ Here is your man, Mr Consul,” he said, all at once, pointing at one of the party - a servant. “ You see, everyone w r ho entered the room and pulled the tail thus got his hands blackened, while this man did not pull the tail, as he was sure the donkey would bray. Consequently his hands are clean.” The man confessed, and the silver was returned.