The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-01-01


ent,' observed my companion urbaney
but you and this young woman do all
the work yourselves
That's true, sir; we don't mind hard
work now and them returned the cook
tossing her head: and besides, | don't
like strangers in my kitchen. added she
with meaning, especially when I'm busy
and would rather have their room than
their company
/ could have given that woman five shil-
lings upon the spot (and did so the next
morning) for that rapid discharge of
words the detectives tongue, although
had found it so terrible weapon, was
silenced by my domcstic's ncedc-gun, and
he retired much discomfted, notwith.
standing that he strove to conceal his de-
feat beneath contemptuous smile.
Now, ifTd been an ordinary police
man, and in uniform whispered he to me,
as we reached the Hall again, / could
have come over that cook in no tine
Without remarking upon this confession
of defeat, l led the way up 10 the nursery.
The servants in that department were not
unused to visitors, and evidently imagined
that my companion was some family man
among the guests, who had expressed n
wish to ''scc the dear children" " in their
cribs lie on his part, Immediately I'M
derstood the role be was expected to play,
and walked admirably from cot to cot, as
though he was n connoisseur in babes
Charming children, and well taken
care of, | can sce,' observed he, with
rather familiar nod ! thought towards
the under nurse. " Its neither Of thcm,' -
he added in n low whisper. "You have
got houscmaid or two, suppose y
His tone WIS exactly that which an
ogre might have used in making inquiries
concerning the lardcr ut a cannlbal inn
The honscmaids were inspected and
pronounced TO be free from suspicion.
But cannot have seen everybody"
said he dccisivcly.
"lcs," said !, everybody. except
Mrs Mnquccchy."
"Fricnd of the family ?" inquired the
detective, with disappointed air
"Well," said I, :" | might almost say
so, She came 10 us not only with the
best Of written characters, but my wife
had an interview with her late mistress,
Mrs Ogilvie, who pronounced her u
perfect treasure; and we ourselves have
found her all that could be wished"
Z" should like to see the perfect treas
ure,' qnoth the detective, smiling grimly ;
"we often find them 10 be the very people
we want"
May" said /. "but in this case your
suspicious are quite groundless Mrs
Aaqncechy is Il superior person, ani takes
an interest in US which vou seldom find in
domestic except after years o: service
Besides, she is my mother in laws 81, K
nurse. and most likely they have already
made their arrangements for the night.
1t would be a pity TO disturb them"
I" must see Mrs MaQueechy." return
ed nv companion gravcly; "slc seems
altogether too charming to be misscl."
" You detectives are very clever lcl-
lows" replied with irritation; "but
you often spend your time very fruillessly.
1t is pity that man can't be deter
mined, and yet avoid being obstinate.
However, since you have gone so fairy
shall 60 through with the business
With that 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 TO loud
for that Mrs Mnqucechy could stop to
caves dropping, ii 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
alrcads outside, I'd in his custody. She
had endeavorcd TO escape thro' the second
door of the dressing ROOM boltcd like n
rabt, said the detective, e,-but had run
int the very danger she would have
avoided, and there she was with couple
of handouts over her neat mitiens
'Wc know one another very well, me
end Mrs. Maqucechy,' observed the de-
'SS'hV, ~ iinil' WIS lOlu sHOuiu ll'l
an old friend IN this house, although |
had no idea who it would be until you
mentioned Mrs. Ogilve. She is very
charitable, she is, in getting her fellow
creatures situations in respectable families
wle"e there happened to be good deal
of plate. 1t was this very night that this
good lady here ha' engaged TO open your
front door to her husband and friend of
his, who keeps n light cart in the news
yonder. Being ick-nurse, you see,
nobody would be surprised at her being
about the house at all hours. Wasn't
that your little game, Mrs. Maqueechy g.
Well, | suppose it's five year touch =
observed that lady with philosophic cool
ness.
'Wcll, I'm afraid il il, ma'am; since
that other little business in Charlton Gar
dens still remains unsettled. Good bye,
sir; you will see Mrs. NJ. again, once or
twice, before you have done with her /;
and in the meantime, you take my advice,
sir, and in hiring another sick nurse for
youl mother in law, don't apply TO Mrs.
OsiIvie.'
And off he walked with our perfect
treasure