Smyrna times., 1874-09-23


answered my light tap herself. She ushered
me into the private room, and soon bade me
good night.
After short absence, she returned with
steaming cup Of coffee and plate of Dutch
cake
81 always take a cup before retiring, she
explained" And thought you might find
one acceptable" And with final good night
she lett me. Feeling both chilled and thirsty,
| emptied the cup almost at draught. Then
wheeling a chair behind the curtains draping
a bay window, | cxtnguished the light and sat
down to await the appearance Of the unknown
thief
But saw nothing. just at daybrcak Mad
anne softly entered the room and spoke to me.
| rose unSteadily to my feet and stepped from
behind the curtains. She gazcd at me in sur
prise for moment, and then smiled little
ironically.
Monsieur slept well, perceive
Yes, Madame, if we'll means soun1ly," !
replied. 1.-The coffee was drugged."
Dragged y she echoed, staggering back a
pace or two.
Yes, Madame. Permit me to ask who
made it2"
instant and thcn dropping them, reached over
to the cabinet. In a minute she was beside
me again,
"Who made 2" she repeated in deep,
hollow tones Madcmoisclle De Gray! Aud
and, Monsieur, the money is gone!"
" But" answered, in some vcxatOn, Made
mOisclle of all others, should not have known
OF my presence here.
All, Monsieur, | was most careful, re-
turned Madame sOrOwlully " fIs II mystery
how she gained her knowledge "Wcl
Madame | answered, after a few minutes
deIberati0n, I'VE will meet MadcmaiscIlc on
her own ground. Permit her if you please, to
prepare another cup Of coffee to night. She
will, no doubt, count upon its effects" And
that night | received another stcaming cup
But it was received only. Consequently was
not found mapping. had watched patiently
for two hours or more, when the door softly
, opened aud pale, slender little old woman,
wrapped in a crimson dressing gown, and about
whose bare head flOatcda few sCanty gray locks,
, stole nOiscleSsly into the room.
She carried bunch of keys and a lighted
taper in small bronze candcstick. Closing
the door carefully behind her, she proceeded
t at once to the cabinet. Can this weird look
ing woman he MadrmOisclIe De Grny?' |
= thought, gazing after the singular appartiOn.
mo, it.clnnot be. Certainly. Madamoselle is
young. This must be some old relative or
| friend of madame. Quickly and noiselessly
e she approached the cabinet, and in moment
: it wa, unlocked and the secret compartment
c open.
After carefully withdrawing the notes depos-
c tied there by madame a few hours previous,
r she snapped the spring and rccloSed ;he desk.
{ Then turning quickly away she went over to
+ the store.
now left my hiding place and cautiously
n followed. When | reached the door she was
II in the act of removing the false bottom IRON a
l. large japnnncd box III the corner Dropping
r it on the floor beside her she took from the
- box roll OF notes. and alter adding the one
l. just stolen returned the bundle to its place
e again. Then hastily restoring the box to its
c former order she arose and turned away
i | stepped back pace or two with the design
v of seizng her outside the closet.
: In moment she appeared and confronted
Y me and for the first time obtained fair view
h of her features But instead of the horror and
n dismay which had been anticipating, wa.
} the one to fall back aghaSt My outstretchcd
il arms dropped pOwerless as with swift tread
and strong gaze she swept past me and out o
10 the room.
N And this is the solution!'' muttered
rs drawing deep breath of relief as the doc
m closed upon her. What will Madame say
It viii she readily credit the reports [ mus
5 give?'
Without deciding on the question dropped
K on the sofa and made myself comfortable fo
the remainder OF the night. As on the previou
10 day, madame sought me early She looked a
Ie me ScTutiniZlngly.
ID "Ah monsieur has had another good night
without the aid OF drugs, she remarked, some
or what tarty.
to Yes, madame, a very good one, " [ replied
but | first earned the right. "Ah!" calculate,
madame again; but this time very tremulousy
Then you have-yOu-"
al : Yes, madame" | answered. finding shC
Id could not finish the sentence. And now wi
y you kindly allow me to see Mademoiselle ID
lr Gray p
"No, monsieur no |" she replied, with hast
Id emphasis. " My poor AntOinette has sinned
ur no doubt but she shall be protected. Yo
shall not see my poor child, monsieur, sh
O. concluded pasSiOnately. Heaven and viii
It make good woman OF her yet''
w My dear madame, you quite mistake me,
| answered feelingly MademOisee is limo
til cent . was hardly prepared for the littl
er FrenchwOman' $ out5urst OF joy.
MY Antoinette My pure darling NJ
no white dove My wronged angel! Sweet Heave
d, | thank thee u she cried tearfully,
tn And before L could say any more she ha
darted from the room. In a few minutes sh
ed returned, leading tall, elegant golden haire
We girl, whose proud eyes glittered with tears
W, This fair vision of youthful beauty left mad
re ame's side and came to me. 81 thank you
es Monsieur" she said, with q simple, earnes
dignity. " thank you most truly. "
k have done little or nothing to entitle m
he to your thanks, mademoiselle, " | smiled in re
'ly sponse. . But have you no desire to learn tn
u, name Of the guilty party?"
| All, true !" exclaimed madame. II forgo
ry all but my infinite Joy. Tell us, monsieur"
TIA First, madame" | answered, permit m
as to resto your stolen money. You have you
he keys, | see ; will you be kind enough to ope
the treasure boxP"
"a And hastening to the closet brought out tn
japanned box.
lat Madame kneIt down and wonderingIy turne
the key. then lifted the lid and removed tn
in false bottom. An astonished exclamation parte
MademOiselle DeGray's lips, but madam
ie- leaned over the box like one in dream, an
could not be convinced until the notes were i
her hand and counted that it was no dream q
all, but most pleasant reality.
.ys !" Yes. Antoinette." she at last said risin