The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-08-27
VINO ROBBED MADAME7


HAD waited but few minutes wher
she entered.
The tasteful cap surrounding thu
brown locks clustering in pretty con
fusion 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 than
OF old age. Altogether, Madame LerouS
was lady of most attractive appearance
She approached me with nervous
haste, her eyes fixed on mine. II sent
for-you are" she faltered almost in
audibly, and then paused in a pitiable
state of agitation, her slender fingers
slowly INTERVIEWING themselves, and her
whole frame trembling.
detective Ashton" ! responded,
hastily drawing forward chair.
She sank into it, and by silent gesture
invited me to be seated. Presently she
murmured in low, quivering voice
Monsieur, am in great distress. My
- and she again paused, overcome
by her emotions.
WAITED a minute in expectant silence,
and then said
A case of robbery, l understand,
Madame. Permit me to ask whether
your servants are entirely honest?"
Entirely" she answered, brokenly
They have served me for twenty years y
And your pupils?"
mot a shadow of suspicion may
touch them"
"And the resident teachers?" She
gasped once or twice, and then, con.
trolling herself with mighty effort, an
swered TREMENDOUSLY:
Pardon my agitation; am worn with
trouble and anxiety" adding presently, in
more even tones, :" ] will tell you about
it, Monsieur. My school is, as you doubt
less know from report, the best, and
consequently the most flourishing, in the
city. | take much money, and often
keep large sums by me. This is my
private business room, and in yonder
/ store my surplus funds"
"a rather unsafe place." commented.
"Not at all, Monsieur" she answered
decidedly. at is furnished with a
secret receptacle Discover it if you
can And. rising she led the way to
the cabinet and threw open the desk
But exhausted my wits to no purpose
Madame looked on in silence till drew
back and folded my arms. She then
quietly asked
"You would not suspect the fact have
stated?"
+" If the secret compartment is here,
most certainly not
" 1t is here she replied briefly and
emphatically, as she closed the desk.
GLOW many times have you been
robbeds"
Nightly, for the past week." she an
swcred excitedly. "a large amount was
taken the first night, but since then only
a few counterfeits which deposited in
the hope of detecting the thief without
assistance
g Has any one under your roof a
knowledge of the secret of the cabinete"
inquired, after little interval of ST.
lence. but one" she cried, bursting
into tears and wringing her hands in an
agony of distress.
l again deliberated moment, and
then said, firmly: Madame, l have not
a doubt that ! cam in time, clear up this
matter without assistance. But it is no
less certain that perfect candor on your
part will greatly aid me-"
1t was some minutes before she could
compose herself sufficiently to answer.
When she did, it was in heart broken
tones: "You are right, Monsieur Unjust
tell you. My suspicious point to one
who has for years been my all-namely,
Mademoiselle De Antoinette De GRAY.
Mademoiselle De Gray has been my
protege since the death Of her parents,
which occurred while she was vet an in
FAINT. In her have hitherto reposed the
most unlimited confidence; now am
distracted with doubts it is impossible to
silence.
"But, Monsieur, | have not sent for
you to unravel this web of mystery with
any intention of giving publicity to her
guilt. Heaven knows l only desire to
learn the truth for her own dear sake. I
would not wrong the innocent even in
thought the guilty / would increasingly
labor to restore"
Then with a sudden burst Of grief she
exclaimed
my poor Antoinette! She is so young.
SO winning! and so beautiful
"Does Mademoiselle De Gray know of
your suspicions?" Inquired, as deep
sob choked her utterancc
She does. A few hours before / sent
for you told her of my loss, and en-
treated her to confess and receive nv
forgiveness
With what RESULT"
"She gazed at me with startled ewes
for a moment, and then in proud almost
scornful, accents replied that l, above all
others, should know whether she was
capable of such deed"
"And is she acquainted with the fact
of your having secured my services?"
go Yes, Monsieur. hoped it would
frighten her into full confession"
"Your servants?"
"They know nothing whatever. For
Mademoiselle De Gray's sake l have
kept these startling robberies profound
secret"
After few minutes serious considera-
ton said:
Madame, will watch here nightly
until the mystery is solved" Madame
shook her head despondingly.
1t is quite useless, Monsieur. l am
no coward, and have already tried that
plan, and, strange to say, my cabinet re-
manned intact both times"
Perhaps Mademoisellc De Gray sus-
pected your Intentions" I replied
ms time we must guard against the
possibility. And now, if you please, /
VIII trouble you for few more details
ABOUT what time do these robberies take
placer" $50
Always between midnight and day.
break. seldom retire till twelve o,c,ocI
and on the night of the first thef, = w.s
considerably later. rememher d;st;nct
~; for, by singular coincidence Mad
emoiselle De Gray and sat here d;scrss.
ing the possibility Of the verv- evsr.
which occurred. The recent Madwor,h
robbery had impressed us both deenlv