Smyrna times., 1874-09-23
MiSce eIIU21 e OuS.
Who Robbed Madame.

1hO ldSCCluI cap SuTlnOuuIluR lnc DTOWH
locks clustering in pretty confusion of short
curls about her forehead proclaimed her no
longer young, though the fair blooming face and
shapaly form were far more suggestive of youth
than OF old age. Altogether Madame LerOuX
was lady of most attractive appearance.
She approached me with nervous haste, her
eyes fixed on mine. 81 sent for-you are"
she faltered almost inaudibly, and then paused
in pitiable state of agitation, her slender
fingers slowly INTERVIEWING themselves, and her
whole frame trembling.
" Detective Ashton" | responded, hastily
drawing forward a chair.
She sunk into it, and by silent gesture in
vited me to be seated Presently she mur
INJURED in low qulVerinG voice " Monsieur, |
am in great distress. My and again she
paused, overcome by her emotions.
| waited minute in expectant silence, and
then said:
. \ case of robbery, understand, Madame.
Permit me to ask whether your servants are
entirely honest? Entirely" she answered
brokenly. They have served me iol twenty
years.
g And your pupils?"
Not a shadow of suspicion may touch
them"
"And the resident teachers?" She gaspcd
once or twice, and then controlling herself with
mighty effort, answered tremulOusly
Pardon my agitation; am worn with
! trouble aud anxiety" adding presently in more
even tones, " will tell you about it, Monsieur.
My school is, as you doubtless know from re
port, the best, and consequently, the most
fourishing in the city. | take much money ,
and often keep large sums by me- This Is my
private business room, and in yOnder cabinet
store my surplus funds.
\ rather unsafe place. | commented.
Not at all, Monsieur" she answered, dcci
dedly. " 1t is furnished with a secret rccepta-
Gle. Discover it if you can. And rising, she
led the way to the cabinet and threw open the
desk.
But l exhausted my wits to no purpose
Madame looked on in silence till | drew back
and folded my arms She then quietly asked
Z" You would not suspect the fact hay,
stated ?"
4" II the secret compartment is here most
certainly not.
g 1t is here" she replied, briefly and en-
phalcally, as she closed the desk.
How many times have you been robbed 2
Nightly for the past week, she answered
exctedly. y large amount was taken the
first night, but since then only few counter
feits which deposited in hope Of detecting tn,
thlcf without assistance
" Has any one under your roof knOwlcdg,
of the secret OF the cabinet inquired, attic
cried, bursting into tears and Wrlnging he
hands in an agony of distress.
| again dciberatcd moment, and thcr
said firmly: Madame. have not doub
that can, in time clear up this matter with
ont assistance, but it is no less certain that per
feet candOr on your part will greatly aid me-
1t was some minutes before she could com
! pose herself sufficient to answer When sh,
did it was in heart broken tones " You ar
right, Monsieur. must tell you. My suspi
cnns point to one who has for years been my
all namely Mldcmoselle DeAntoinette De
Gray. Mademoisclle DE Gray has been m
/ prOtc9e since the death OF her parents, whicl
D occurred while she was yet an infant. La he
: | have hitherto repOsed the most unlimited CO
, nfidcnce now | am distracted with doubts
is impossible to silence.
/ But Monsieur, have not sent for you t
/ unravel this web of mystery with any intentiO
, giving publicity to her guilt. Heaven know
: | only desire to learn the truth for her ow
i dear sake. would not wrong the nnoc1n
e even in thought; the guilty | would uncea>
e ingly labor to restore.
2 Then with sudden burst of grief she e1
claimed:
p "My poor Antoinctte. She is so young $
!: winning so beautiful 4" Does Madcmoisel
: DcGray know of your suspiciOnsY" | inquire
T. as deep sob checked her utterance.
"She does. A few hours before sent iC
:, you ! told her of my loss, and entreated her
Re confess and receive my forgiveness.
ID with what resultY
,r "She gazed at me with startled eyes for
b, moment, and then in proud, almost scornfl
a accents, replied that |, above all others, shouI
b. know whether she was capable OF such deed.
:, " And is she acquainted with the fact Of yOu
= having secured my services 7"
!, oh, yes, Monsieur. L hoped it wOul
3 frighten her into u full confession. YoI
ID servants ?"
b "They know nothing whatever. For Mad
IN moisele DeGrays sake have kept these star
IN ling robberies a profound secret After fe
fr minutes serious consideration said:
" Madame, will watch here nightly unit
& the mystery is solved" Madame shook HI
head despcndingly.
n. "It is quite useless, monsieur am 1
i coward, and have already tried that plan, an,
z strange to say,my cabinet remained intact bot
ne times"
perhaps Mademoiselle De Gray suspecte
q, your intentions" l replied. This time v
of Of must guard against the possibility. And nov
ii you please, | will trouble you tor a few moi
nd details About what time do these rObberil
60 take place p
~ Always between midnight aud daybrea
bf / seldom retire till twelve clock, and on Il
ed night OF the first theft it was considerab
nd later. l remember distinctly, for, by q sing
~ lar coincidence, MademOiselle DE Gray and
~ sat here discussing the possibility of the We
IN event which occurred. The recent Madwor
tY' robbery had impressed us both deeply, and
le. left the room | bade Majemoiselle lock Il
Wo door,"
nd ibid you lock the other?' asked, indie
IN ting one | had noticed awhile before.
wo It might secrete a burglar, however Th
s, is only store closet
'as sle Yes, monsieur; but il did not. was
there few minutes before We retired.
es- ".And the key Of the door here-did mad
"a moiselle know where you put itY'
q Certainly, monsieur"
fhe And since that nightT'
s% %n "Aasl monsieur, have hidden my ke
on, in vain"
After some further conversation took q