Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-08-23


red lace with red silk handkerchief,
tapped the lid of his snuff box, and
said:
81 am Abraham Farrell"
said, extending my hand, "take a
seat"
The name of the visitor made me
feel uneasy. Why did he come to
me?
"You are, no doubt, aware that l
was robbed the other night" said Mr..
Farrell. ''4-1
$50 | learned from the papers"
"All of which lie with the usual
persistence. Not single account
apprOximates to the truth"
ain what way, Mr.. Farrell ?"
ain every way-in toto. They
lie egregiously. The robber did not
climb up the spouting; he came in at
the same door he went out of He
did not palm himself off upon my
daughter as her brother and my son,
consequently she was robbed of no
diamond ring. l did not see him,
neither did | fire at him, consequently
/ did not miss him.
perhaps you were not robbed,
either" | said.
"Oh yes was palpably, scandal
ously. have come to you to have
it ferreted out.
"To me? Why, l am no detec-
tive!' l said with surprise.
"Oh, yes you are, Mr. TAFT. Cum
mings sent me here-the Chief of
Police"
So Cummings was bound to do me
good turn. What better way to
become intimate with Jennie than by
playing detective | could have hug.
ged my thoughtful and discriminating
friend.
Mr.. Farrell, | am attorney, as
you know, and the job limited at is
not in my line. But"
"Not professionally, [ suppose"
"No: but as Mr.. Cummings ha;
seen fit to recommend you to me,
shall undertake the case"
"And what will you require ?"
"As a compensation ?"
"NoT (grufiy.)
Oh, yes, said l. well, l will re
quire a patient truth telling of the
affair by every one connected there
with, and a carte blanche admittanct
to your house for a fortnight"
"You shall have it. You shall
come and go when you please. Onl.
recover me the plate and identify th'
thief"
"I will try. Tell your son, George
to come here this evening. He cal
be of some assistance to me-"
| The son called in the evening"
Motioning him to a seat | commenced
business at once by leaning over th
table and asking while looking int
his face:
Mr.. Farrell, how much money ar
you in need OFF"
Il? In need of money! | do no
understand you," he exclaimed.
GA bit Of paper, check, or other
wise, forged or genuine, is giving yo
much annoyance. 1t may be trifinI
thing; its prolonged existence ma
make it a wretchedly serious one."
a cannot divine your meaning,
said the fellow, brazen faced.
"Look here, Mr.. Farrell, your fatt
er has selected me to ferret out tha
burglary. l am all eady at work.
The sooner you and | come to an III
derstanding the better will it be fo
one of US, which will be you in a.
probability. Night before last yo
gave young man named Kemble
package in your fathers hall. Tha
package contained the plate in ques
tion. Now. while | will not say yo
: were the thief, will inquire wha
sum you wished to realize by tina
operation You certainly understan
! me now"
Young Farrell trembled and chang
ed color. He answered slowly an
huskily.
1.-TWO thousand dollars"
,, "Now you are getting explicit.
! ! l give you a check for that amour
!, !, will you give me your individual obi
, , CATION therefor, and promise to kee
out of such abominable, characte
l compromising scrapes ?"
"I promise both: and will, in az
. dition, allow you to consider N
' yours, respectfully"
"Well, here is the check"
"And shall be compromised abor
the plate"
"Not if it is recovered-not ]
: any event if can help it."
As the reader may imagine, We
an admirable detective, so far as th
particular case was concerned.
: became intimate with Miss Fare
: during that fortnight, interested hi
! in me, and became favorite que
there after. In due time | informe
> : the old gentleman that | had recove
ed the plate, but had not secured tt
. thief. He came to my office and
unlocked the desk to hand over
him the valuables.
e There wasn't nary valuable there
y The old gentleman charged n
) with making fool of him, strutte
r up and down the room, rubbed b
h red face, laid his hand once or twi'
s on his paunch, and then started o
threatening vengeance.
e Wasn't l in predicament II
# sweat stood on me in drops. Ju
e, then Cummings passed. | detected
n twinkle in his eye. He was the on
e man to whom l had shown the plat
| Il L.