The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-10-29

N. ~
OF the District Court of the United States for the
southern District Of New York;
CHAPTER XlI.-coSIIsurp.
The Sergcant's appearance, or the Sergesnts
srrand-one or both-seemed 10 cause my lady
some little embarrassment. She was, for the
FIRST time in all my experience Of her, At loss
what 10 say at an interview with stranger.
Sergeant Cuff put her at her case directly. He
asked II any other person had been employed
about the robbery before We sent for him aud
hearing that another person had been called in,
and was now in the house, begged leave to
speak 10 him before any thing else was done.
Ny lady lead the way back. Before he fol-
lowed her, the Sergeant relieved his mind on the
subject Of the gravel-walks by parting word
10 the gardener. "Get her ladyship 10 try
grass" he said, with sour look at the paths.
"No gravel no gravel %
Why Superintendent Seegrsve should have ap-
peared TO be several sires smaller than life, on
being presented to Sergeant Cuff. can't UNDER
take to explain. I can only state the fact.
They retired together and remained = weary
long time shut up from all moral intrusion.
When they came out Mr.. Superintendent was
excited and Mr.. Sergeant was yawning.
"The Sergeant wishes TO see Miss Verinder's
sitting-room," says Mr.. Seegrsye, addressing
me with great pomp and eagerness. ''rhe Ser
geant may have some questions to ask. Attend
the Sergeant, II you please ~
While was being ordered about in this way,
looked ct the great CuG. The great Cuff, on
his side, looked at Superintendent Seegrs,e in
noticed. I can't affirm that he was the
watch for his brother-oticcr's speedy appearance
in the character Of an Ass-I can only say that
strongly suspected 10.
led the way up stairs. The Sergeant went
softly over the Indian cabinet and all round the
"boudoir !" asking questions occasionally
only Of Mr.. Superintendent, and continually OF
mel, the drift Of which believe 10 have been
equally uuintelligible to both Of us. In due
time his course brought him to the door, and
put him face TO face with the decorative paint
ing that you know Of He laid one lean inquir-
ing finger on the small smear, Just under the
lock, which Superintendent Seegraye had al
ready noticed. when he reproved the women
servants Tor al erowding together into the room.
"rhat's PITY" says Sergeant caa "HOw
did Il happenf'
He put the question to me. answered that
the women-servants had crowded into the room
on the previous morning. and that some Of their
petticoats had done the mischief "Superinten-
dent Seegrave ordered them out, Sir" added,
.'before they did any more harm"
"Right |" says Mr.. Superintendent. in his
military way. "I ordered them out The pet
tico.ts did Il Sergeant-the petticoats did it."
"Did you notice which petticoat did iti' ask
ed Sergeant Cuff. still addressing himself, no,
to his brother-ofiicer, but to me.
"No SIR"
He turned to uperintendeut Seegrave upon
that, and said. " You noticed, suppose"
Mr.. Superintendent looked little taken
aback but he made the best Of IL. "l can't
charge my memory, Sergeant" he said, "a
mere Tiae-a mere triae."
Sergeant Cuff looked ut Mr.. SeegrHve as he
hsd looked at the grsvel-wslks in the rosary,
and gave us, in his melancholy way, the ars,
taste Of his quality which We had had yet
81 made q private inquiry last week, Mr.. Su-
perintendent :" he said. ..At one end Of the
INQUIRY there was murder. and at the other
end there was a spot Of ink on . table-cloth
that nobody could account for. In all my eI-
perencs along the drtiest ways Of this dirty lit
lie world have never met with such q thing as
tribe yet. Before we 20 step further in this
business We must sec the petticoat that made
the smear. and We must know for certain when
that paint was wet"
Mr.. perintcndent-taking his set-down
rather sulkily-askcd II he should summons the
women. Sergeant Cuff, after considering =
minute, sighed, and shook his head.
"No," he said, "weTl take the matter OF the
paint inst It's question OF Yes or No with
the psint-which Is short. It's question Of
petticoats with the woman-which IS long.
What o'clock was il when the servants were
In this room yesterday morningi Eleven O'Clock
--eh! Is there anybody in the house who
knows whether that paint was wet or dry. ut
eleven yesterday msrning,"
"Her ladyship's nephew, Mr.. Franklin
Blake. knows" said.
"Is the gentleman in the house''
Mr.. Franklin was as close at hand s could
be-waiting for his first chance Of being intro
duced To the great Cuff. In half . minute he
vas in the room. and was giving his evidence
rs follows:
"Thst door. Sergeant" he said, "has been
painted by Miss verinder, under my inspection,
with my help, and in vehicle Of my own COM
position The vehicle dries whatever colors
may be used with I. in twelve hours"
''Do you remember when the smeared bit
was done, Sir 30 asked the Sergeant
Perfectly" answered Mr.. Franklin. THAT
Was the last morsel Of the door to be finished.
and myself completed il BY three in the aner-
noon or soon after."
.sTo-iay is Friday" said Sergeant Cuff. ad-
dressing himself 10 Superintendent Seegraye.
'Let Us reckon back. Sir. AT three on the
Wednesday afternoon, that bit OF the painting
WAS completed The vehicle dried ID in twelve
hours-that s 20 say, dried IL by thee o'clock
on Thursday morning. AT eleven on THURSDAY
morning you held your inquiry here. Take
three from eleven, and eight remains. That
paint had been eight hours dry. Mr.. Supcrin-
tendeut, when you supposed that the women
servants' petticoats smeAred IT,
First knock-doun blow for Mr.. Seegrsvc! II
he had not suspected poor Penelope should
have pitiei him.
Having settled the question Of the paint, Ser
geant Cuff. from the moment, gave his brother-
officer up ss . bad job-and addressed himself
to Mr.. Franklin, As the more promising assis-
tant Of the two.
..It's quito out on the cards, Sir" he said.
'.thss yoa have put the els~ into our handa"
A the words pAsset his lips the bedroom
door opened and Miss Rachel came out among
NJ suddenly.
She addressed herself to the Sergeant. With
out appearing 10 notice lor 10 heeiD that he
vas . psrfsct strAngsr 70 her.
"Dd yoa n.y." she ash he'd, pointing TO Mr..
Franklin. ..thai As had put the elew into your
hands !''
("rhis d Mis- vsrinder." Whispered. BE-
hind the Sayssut)
'.rhat Esntlsman. mis-" !" says the Sergeant
with his steely-psy eyes carefully studying
my young lsdy's hce-"has possibly put the
clev into our banda" -
Shs turpsd Cor : moment, and txisd % look st
NJ Prnnkl.ng ~ txiad fbr sha suddsn-
Looked away ssain bsfbrs thsir sys net