The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-09-23
WILLIAM FENG.
VINO ROBBED MADAME.


/ had waited but q few minutes
when she entered.
The tasteful cap surmounting the
brown locks clustering in a pretty
confusion OF short eurls about
her forehead proclaimed her no long
er young, though the fair blooming
face and shapely form were far more
suggestive OF youth that OF old age.
Altogether, Madame Lsroux was
lady of most attractive appear
ance.
She approached me with nervous
haste, her eyes fixed on mine. II
sent for-you are" she faltered
almost inaudibly, and then paused in
pitiful state of agitation, her tender
fingers slowly intertwining them
selves, and her whole frame trem-
bling.
detective Ashton" responded,
hastily drawing forward chair.
She sunk into it, and by a silent
gesture invited me to be seated.
Presently she murmered in low
quivering voice. Monsieur, / am in
distress. My-" and she again
paused, overcome by her emotions.
waited a minute in expectant
silence, and then said:
"a case of robbery, 1 understand,
Madame. Permit me to ask whether
your servants are entirely honest?"
"Eutirely," she answered brokenly.
"They have served me for twenty
years.
"And your pupils?"
"Not shadow Of suspicion may
touch them"
''And the resident teachersY" She
gasped once or twice, and then con-
trolling herself with mighty effort,
answered tremulously:
pardon my agitation; am worn
with trouble and anxiety" adding
presently, in more even tones, "I will
tell you about it, Monsieur. Ny
school is, as you doubtless know from
report, the best, and, consequently,
the most hourishing in the city. l
take much money, and often keep
large sums by me. This is my pri-
vate business room, and in yonder
cabinet l store my surplus funds"
"a rather unsafe place." l COM
mented.
"Not at all Monsieur" she an
swered, decidedly. at 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 l exhausted my wits to nopur-
pose. Madame looked on in silence
till l drew back and folded my arms.
She then quickly asked:
"You would not suspect the fact ]
have stated?"
"If the secret compartment is here,
most certainly not"
otis here" she replied, briefly
and emphatically, as she closed the
desk.
allow many times have you been
robbed?n
Nightly, for the past week." she
answered excitedly. "A large amount
was taken the first night, but since
then only few counterfeits which ]
deposited in the hope Of detecting the
thief without assistance"
Has any one under your roof a
knowledge of the secret Of the cabi-
metz" l inquired, after little interval
of silence.
"But oheln-s she cried, bursting into
tears, and wringing her hands in al
agony of distress.
again deliberated a moment, and
then said firmly: Madame, | have
not doubt that | can, in time clear
up this matter without assistance
but it is no less certain that perfect
candor on your part will greatly ait
; me-"
1t was some minutes before she
could compose herself sufficiently tC
answer. When she did, it was in
heart-broken tones: "You are right
Monsieur. l must tell you. My
suspicious poirt to one who has
for years been my all; namely
Mademoiselle DeGray, Mademcisell,
DeGray has been my prOtege since
the death of her parents, which oc
Cured while she was yet an infant
In her l have hitherto reposed the
most unlimited confidence; now / an
distracted with doubts it is impossi
bic to silence. But, Monsieur,
have not sent for you to unrayel thi
web Of mystery with any intention o
giving publicity to her guilt Heav
en- knows / only desire to learn th,
truth for her own dear sake. ] woult
not wrong the innocent even il
thought; the guilty ! would unceas
ingly labor to restore.
Then with q sudden burst of grie
she exclaimed:
"My poor Antoinette! She is s.
youngl so winning and so beauti
Ifulm
"Does Mademoiselle DeGray know
: Of your suspicious % j inquired, q
a deep sob choked her utteranee.
"She does. A few hours before
sent for you / told her of my los
e and then in proud, almost scornfr
accents, replied that /, above all otr
ers, should know whether she wa
/ capable of such deed"
q And is she acquainted with th
fact Of your having secured my SCI
vices 2n
"0h, yes, Monsieur | hoped
would frighten her into full confei
sion.n