The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-07-22

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Fills a grave in far off land.
Who Robbed Madame ?
I had waited but a few minutes
when she entered.
The tasteful cap surmounting the
brown locks clustering in pretty
confusion of short curls about her
forehead proclaimed her no longer
young, though the fair blooming
face and shapely form were far
more suggestive Of youth thsn OF
old age. Altogether, Madame Le-
roux was a lady of most attractive
appearance.
She approached me with nervous
haste, her eyes fixed on mine.
'I.sent for-you are" she falter-
ed almost inaudibly, and then paus-
ed, in. a pitiable state of agitation,
her slender fingers slowly inter
twining themselves, and her whole
frame trembling.
detective Ashton I responded,
hastily, drawing forward a chair.
She sunk into it, and by a silent
gesture invited me to be seated.
Presently she murmured in a low
quivering voice:
Monsieur, 1 am in great distress.
My" and again paused, overcome
by her emotions.
I waited a minute in expectant
silence, and then said:
"A case of robbery, I understand,
madame. Permit me to ask wheth-
er your servants are entirely hon
est?'
Entirely she answered, bro
kenly. 'They have served me tor
twenty years. Z
'And your pupils?'
"Not shadow of suspicion may
touch them
"And the resident teachers p
She gasped once or twice, and
then controlling herself with a
mighty effort, answered tremulous-
ly:
"Pardon my agitation; I am
worn with trouble and anxiety" "
adding presently, in more even
tones, "I will tell you aboutit, mon
sieu-. My school is, as you doubt
less know from my report, the best,
and, consequently, the most -four
ishing in the city. 1 take much
money, and often keep large sums
by me. This is my private bust
ness room, and in yonder cabinet
| I store my surplus funds"
"a rather unsafe place." commen'
ted.
"Not at all, monsieur" she an.
swered, decidedly. "It is furnished
with secret receptacle. Discover it,
if you can."
And rising, she LED the way to the
cabinet, and threw open the desk.
But I exhausted my wits to no
purpose. Madame looked on in ST.
]ience till I drew back and folded my
arms. She then quickly asked:
"You would not suspect the fact l
haye stated2"
aIf the secret compartment is here,
most certainly not"
ut is here,S she replied, briefly and
emphatically, as she closed the desk
"How many times have you oeen
robbed ?"
"Nightly, for the post week." she
answered., cxcitedly. "a large
amount was taken the first night, but
since then only o few counterfelts
which I deposited in hope of detec
ting the thief without assistance"
aHas any one under your roof a
knowledge Of the secret OF the caDl,
net ?" inquired, after a little interval
Of silence. p
"But one!" she cried, bursting into
tears, and wringing her hands in on
agony of distress. "But one! but
one, alas !"
l again deliberated q moment, and
then said firmly:
"Madaue, I have not O doubt that
I con, in time, clear up this matter
without assistance, but it is no lesf
certain that perfect candor on your
part will greatly aid me-"
It was some minutes before she
could compose herself sufficient te
answer. When she did it was ir
heart-broken tones:
"You arc right, monsieur. l mus
tell you. My suspicious point to ONT
who has for years been my oil; name
ly, Mademoiselle De Antoinette D'
Gray. Mademoiselle De Gray ha'
been my protegs since the death OF he
parents, which occurred while sh'
was yet an infant. In her | hav'
, hitherto reposed the most unllmte,
confidence; now I am distracted witt
doubts it is impossible to silence"
"But, monsieur, have not sent TO
r,or +o pnraue1 this web of myster'