St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1874-09-11
Who Robbed Madame d?

The tasteful cap Surmounting tn,
brown locks clustering in pretty con
fusion of short curlS about hcI forehead
proclaimed her 10 longer Young, though
the far blooming face and Shapcly form
were far moIc suggestive of youth than
of old age. Altogether, Madame Lc-
rouX WAS II lady of most attractive ap-
pcarancc.
She approached me with nervous
haste. her eyes fixed on mine. Il scnt
for Nou Hou are" she iaitcrcd almost
inaudihly, and then paused III IL pitiabIc
state of agitation. her Slender fingers
slowly INTERVIEWING themselves. and hen
whole frame trembling.
"DctCrtivc Ashton" | responded.
hastily drawing forward Il chair.
She sunk into it, and hy Il silent
gesture invited me to hc seated. Pres
emily shc mrrmuird in Il low. quivrring
voice: ''Mon>icur. | am in great dis
trc>s. Ny --" and she again paused,
overcome hy her emotions.
waited Il minute in rNpcctant 81
lcncc. and then said
"A ease of robbery. | understand,
Madame. Permit me TO ask whether
NoIIr servants are entirely honest -
.
'-Thcy have served me for twenty
ycaIS.
And your pupils p
touch them
And the resident teacher p She
gISpcd once oI twice. and then. con
trolling herself with Il mighty effort,
answered trrmulouNly
'Pard"n my agitation am worn
with trouble and anxiety" adding pres
rEtl>. in more even tones. Il will tell
Nou about it Monsieur. Ml school is.
aS y"n d"uhIlr>S know from report, the
best. and. consequently. the most flour
i>hlmg. IN the city. take much money.
and often keep large Sims 10y me. This
Is my private business room. aud in
| N"mdrr cabinet store my surplus funds.
~ rather unsafe place. comment
ed.
Not at all. Monsieur" she answered
decidedly. 1T Is furnished with So
rrct receptacle. Discover it il N"u can.
And, rising. she led the WAY l." The.
cabinet and threw open th" desk.
! But exhausted my wits I" II" pIr-
pose. Madame Looked "n in silence, til
drew back and folded my AIMS. She
then quietly asked
"lOu would mot suspect the fact !
have stated p IF ;h" secret r"mrat
mrml is here most certainly not"
'.lt is here" she replied. briefly. en-
platicalll. ;i> She '!"~rd the desk.
''lInW many times have l"u been
robbed -
"Niyhtlv for the past week." she an
SWrIrd t.Ncit,,llN. "A large amount
WAS taken the .r~1 night. hat sine" then
only few r"uutctt,it> which ! de
posted in th" hope at 'lrtr"tin" the
| thief without assistance.
Has ANY "n under y"III roof :,
know ledge Of the, secret at th" cabinet -
i inquired. after - little interval "f 81
lrncr. But "nr She cried. lMrStiu.
into tears. AMI wrin"iny her hands in
an agony of distress.
again ,clib"Iat.d Il moment. and
then said. firmly "Madamr. ! haN.
not Il doubt that can. in time. clear
up this matter without assistance. Hnt
ii is II" less certain that perfect "and"
"u ,y"ur part will greatly aid me-.
1t was some minutes h"inr she could
compnS,. herself sufficiently L" answer.
When she. did. il wa- in heart broken
tones "Nuu are right. Monsieur.
must tell yOu. My suspicious point t"
one who has for years been my all
namely, MadcnInistllc DE Ant"incitt
DE GRAY. Madrmoi,cilc DE Gray has
been my protcgc sine" the death "t her
parents. which uccurIcd while she WAS
yet I'M infant. In her | hav" hiihcri"
rcuu>cd the most unlimited confidence
now | am distracted with doubts il Is
impossible to silence.
but. Monsieur. nave not sent for
YOU to unraVr! this web of mystery
with any intention OF giving publicity
to her guilt. Heaven knows only de
sire to learn the truth for her own dear
sake. | would not wrong the innocent
even in thought the gully | would
INCREASINGLY labor to IeStorc."
Then with Il sudden burst of grief
she exclaimed
"My poor Antninette , She Is :"
Young! 50 winning, and So beautiful =
docs MadcmoiSrllc DE Gray know al
Your suspicious !'' inquired. as Il
| deep sob chokcd her uttciancc.
..Shc does. 4 few hours before
sent for you told her of my loss, and
cntrcatcd her to confess and receive my
forrivcncSS." "With what result -
..Shc gazrd at me with startled eyes
fora moment. and thea in proud, al
most scorniul accents, replied that /
above all others, should know whether
she w:S capable of such decd "An'
! is she acquainted with the fact of H"ul
having secured my services :!
..Oh. YES, Monsieur. | hoped II
would frightcn her intna full comics
sion" ''Iour servants !!
"Thcy know nothing whatever. r."
Madcmoiscllc De Gray'> sake. have
kept these startling robberieS prof"nn'
secret. After IL few minutes serious
consideration | said
..Madamc. will watch here night!
until the mystery is solved" Madame
shook her head deSpondimgly.
at is quite useless, Monsieur. l an
no coward, and have already tried tina
plan, and. strange {" say, my capihe
remained intact both times
"Pcrhaps MademoiSelle DE Gray s"S
pcctcd vour Intentions" ! replied
..This time we must guard against tn
possibility. And now, if you please;
will trouble you for il few more detili'
About what time do these rohberie
take place :"
"Aiwavs between midnight and day
break. / seldom retire till - O'Clock
and on the night of the first THEFT II WA
considerably later. l remember dis
tinctly for by singular coincidence
MadcmoiSclle De Gray and | sat her
discussing the possibility OF the yer