Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-03-27

fernal foolery of calling myselfa detective
and letting Satan reign night and day all
over the city. The newspapers drive me
mad They know nothing about the
obstacles we contend with, and goad us
into premature steps, which cost US our
reputation, and end in failure. I've been
working in the dark these nine weeks,
but, by Heavens, believe you've shown
me q glimmer of light"
Then, producing notebook, he opened
1t at well-worn leaves.
"There have been," he began, looking
at me with sort of smile, "five great
robberies within the last six months, and
each one has these special features, char
actcrizing 1t as the work of the same
hands as the other four:
First, the combination of seven to
eleven masked men, all adroit burglars;
second, an isolated house is attacked, sure
| to contain ample provision for success
ful robbery; third, the thieves know the
premises fourth, the leader of the gang is
a small man, of active habits, with clear,
shrill voice."
He stopped and looked at me.
| 81 did not know there was arecognized
leader" remarked.
| He drew large book from his desk.
"Here," said he, "is the full testimony
in all five cases. Run your eye over it,
and you will see that the general facts all
coincide. The small man gives directions
and leads everybody"
Probably some London cracksman."
Belts nodded, winked, then leaned for
ward, and whispered in my ear" "1 suspect
| 1t is a woman"
Impossible no woman has the nerve"
"a she-devil, then-something in a
woman's form, at all events. The rest of
the gang are as free and easy with each
other as you please, yet no one ever lays
a finger on this little one, but all draw
back to let him pass. He gives orders,
exerts himself when ingenuity is required,
but when strength is needed he looks on
while the others fall to work.
"You have to jump at conclusions
sometimes, and find facts to suit. AS
soon as had mastered the details was
impressed by the conviction that one of
the thieves had been on the premises be-
fore. AT Mr.. Stewards, for instance, the
safe is built into the wall, and a false
panel in the wainscot is the only opening
to it; get the rTst ptdce Ule 0ltTgtUTs up
preached tods that panel, tohtch the little
felloSo slid aside at once. So 1 set to work
looking for suspicious character in the
house, and found all satisfactory till
came to French governess who staid
with them six weeks last spring. Now,
sir, in each house entered by these masked
devils there has been during the past
twelve months some similar transient in.
mate. At Wardwell's 1t was a French
cook, in white cap and apron; at the
Lewises', the young lady's page, a clever
Buttons; at the Pratts', a protege of the
children, handsome vagrant Italian
boy, with violin. And now, Mr.. Pow
ers," continued Belts, bringing his hand
down heavily upon my knee, 81 am
ready to swear that you have this danger
GUS inmate under your own roof, in the
character of your wifes maid"
/ started as if had been shot.
Impossiblei" gasped; tnlpossible!"
But why, sir, impossibleY"
"The idea is monstrous. Marie is a
sweet little girl, playful as kitten"
"But, Mr.. Powers, you are man of the
world, and know that woman is not
proved honest because she bewitches
you"
81 But, Belts, admit that though l am an
old fool my wife is thorough woman,
and, as a rule, suspects all her own sex,
yet she is positively fond of Marie"
Marie is clever little puss. Wherever
she has lived, as man or woman, the
whole family have adored her. Has
Marie shown an interest in these bur-
glaries ?"
There could be no doubt of her having
questioned me concerning them with in
tense eagerness, and if / spoke to my wife
about any apprehensions while she was
present Marie never lost word.
| "DOes she know about your silver
Has she any charge of your wife's dia-
monds?"
l started. That very morning / had
shown her my safes behind false book
case in my study, and asked her opinion
whether any one could mistrust those
innocent-looking encyclopedias, or sus-
pect the existence of closet six feet
square between my room and the library.
| was ashamed of my own greenness, but
made clean breast OF 1t to Belts, who was
good enough to refrain from expression of
his opinion of my discretion.
"My word for it," he cried, She has
been waiting to find out that secret and
now she will leave your house within
forty-eight hours. Her pretext will be a
return, but when she does return she will
bring her gang at her heels to rob your
house for you.'
The idea Of connecting our pretty Marie
with such outrages filled me with horror.
l rejected it strenuously.
Believe or not, as you like" he re-
turned, with shrug, $50 long as you
only follow my advice. Just out of curl.
osity take home little dog with you and
see if Marie does not set to work TO be.
witch it at once. Then the moment she
speaks of leaving your house telegraph
to me-"
Our interview lasted another hour
When left him l went to a dog-fancier's
and bought little yelping black and.tan
spaniel, and carried him home with me
"Whom did you see in town." inquired
my wife.
7'Don't speak of it," said 1, looking
fearfully about, as if the walls had ears
"but was with Belts, the detective. You
must not repeat what say, Marie"
"Never, monsieurY" cried Marie
"1'he fact is" proceeded, sinking my
voice into asepulchral whisper, "that ganl
of masked burglars have been traced tC
! New Orleans, and may be arrested by
this time"
",Then l hope, DEAR" said my wife
laughing, ".that you will again sleeI
soundly in your bed. After you got vi
last night for the fourth time to prone
made about, pistols in hand, decided i
might be better to eat off pewter and wea
French gilt jewelry than to lead such
life"
/ too laughed, and stretched my leg
comfortably "Yes, mean to sleep like
Christian hereafter; besides, l hav
brought home dog"
"a dogp exclaimed Marie, startled.
) Eyes" / turned and looked at her al
tentively Don't you like dogs"
She protested vehemently that she love-
dogs better than anything in the world.
That very day she received letter from
Madame DE Sturges, her former mistress
: asking her to come in and pass few
hours with her before she left for New
: Orleans. Marie carried the letter to Mrs
Powers. Madame wishes to talk to m
!, about Mile. Helene" pleaded the girl
, with tears in her eyes, Tomorrow will
7" be the birthday of the pauvre ange, win
T lies at the bottom Of the cruel sea"
"Poor Madame De Sturges, exclaime
my wife, touched at the thought of tn