The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-12-29
q Charming children. and well taken care

HCharming children, ana well taRen caro
OF, l can see," observed he, with rather
familiar nod, thought, towards the under
nurse. It's neither of them," he added
in low whisper. You have got q house
maid or two, suppose 7" =.
His tone was exactly that which an ogre
might have used in making inquiries con-
corning the larder at a cannibal inn.
The housemaids were inspected, and
pronounced to be free from suspicion.
/" But cannot haze seen everybody" said
he, decisivcly.
eyes," said I, everybody except Mrs.
Maqueechy."
"Friend ofthe familyi" inquired the
detective, with disappointed air.
"Well," said l, 81 might almost say SO.
She came to Us not only with the best OF
written characters, but my wife had an
interview with her late mistress, Mrs.
Ogilvie, who pronounced her perfect
treasure; and we ourselves have found her
all that could be wished"
81 should like to see the perfect trea-
sure,' quoth the detective, smiling grimly
eve often find them to be the very people
we want"
"Nay," said I, "but in this case your
suspicious are quite groundless: Mrs. Ma
queechy is superior person, and takes an
interest in us which you seldom find in q
domestic except after years of service.
Besides, she is my mother-in-law's sick
nurse, and most likely they have already
made their arrangements for the night. 1t
would be pity to disturb them"
81 must see Mrs. Maqueechy," returned
| In oil n.
gether too charming to be missed"
You detectives are clever fellows" re.
piled | with irritation; "but you often
spend your time very fruitlessly. 1t is q
pity that man can't be determined, and
yet avoid being obstinate. However, since
you have gone so far, you shall go through
with the business"
With that l knocked at the door, and
| admitted to the sick room, informed my
mother-in-law of what was taking place
while the invaluable Maqueechy retired
with her usual delicacy to the dressing
room. Perhaps | spoke little too loud
for that Mrs. Maqueechy could stoop to
eaves-dropping, it is hard to believe but,
at all events, that intelligent woman must
have possessed herself of the substance OF
what related, for when | opened the door
to admit the officer | found her already
outside and in his custody. She had en-.
deavorcd to escape through the second
door of the dressing room" bolted like q
rabbit" said the detective, but had run into
the very danger she would have avoided,
and there she was with a couple OF hand
cuffs over her neat mittens.
ave know one another very well, ME
and Mrs. Maqueechy," observed the de-
tectve, grimly. 81 was told | should find
an old friend in this house, although | had
no idea who it would be until you men,
toned Mrs. Ogilvie. She is very charita-
BILE, she is, in getting her fellow creatures
situations in respectable families where
there happened to be good deal of plate.
1t was this very night that this good lady
here had engaged to open your front door
to her husband and friend of his, who
keeps a light cart in the news yonder.
Being q sick-nurse, you see, nobody would
be surprised at her being about the house
at all hours. Wasn't that your little game,
Mrs. Maqueechy?"
"Well, suppose it's flve-year touch ~
observed that lady with philosophic cool
ness.
"Wcll, Pm afraid it is, ma'am; since
that other little business in Charlton Gar
dcns still remains unsettled. Goodbye,
sir; you will see Mrs. Maqueechy again,
once or twice, before you have done with
her; and in the mean time you take my
advice, sir, and in hiring another sck-nurse
for your mother-in-law don't apply to Mrs.
Ogilvie.
And off he walked with our "perfect
treasure"