The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1874-09-10
wEE3 RGBBED MADAM
a EretcGtive.s Story.

| had waited bat a few minutes when
she entered
The tasteful cap surinounsing the
brown locks clustering in pretty cor
fusion of short curls abous her forehead
proclaimed her no longer young, though
the blooming face and shaDely form were
far more suggestive OF youth than OF old
age Altogether. Madame Leroux was
lady Of most attractive appearance.
She approached me with eryous haste,
her eyes fixed on mine. Il sent for
you are she faltered almost inaudibly,
and then paused in q pitiable state of agi-
iation, her slender fingers slowly enter
twining themselves, and her whole frame
trembling.
detective Ashton" [ responded
drawing forward a chair.
She sank into it. and by a silent ges-
ture invited me to be seated. Presently
she murmored in low. quivering voice
Monsieur, am in great distress. Ny
- and she again paused, overcome
by her emotions.
and then said:
"a case of robbery. J understand.
Madame. Permit me to ask it your ser
wants are entirely honest?'
Entirely" she answered brokenly.
"they have served me for 20 years"
And your pupils ?'
Not ashadow OF suspicion may touch
them
aud the resident teachers ?' She
gasped once or twice, and then, controll
ing herself with mighty effort, answer
ec TREMENDOUSLY:
Pardon my agitation; L am worn
out with trouble and anxiety" adding
presently in more even tones, II will tell
you presently Monsieur My school is,
as you doubtless know from report. the
best. and, consequently. the most -four
ishing IN the city. [ take much money,
and often keep large sums by me. This
Is my private business room, and in y0p-
der cabinet [ store my surplus funds. y
"A rather unsafe place" comment;
ed.
Not at all. Mouser ~he answered
decidedly. 1T Is furnished with secret
And, rising, she led the way to the cabi-
net ard threw open the desk.
But | exhausted my wits to DO pur-
pose Madame looked on in silence fi.i
/ drew back and folded my arms. She
then quietly asked:
You would not suspect the fact
have stated?' IF the secret compart-
lncne is here, most certainly not.
1T Is here. she replied. briefly and
emphaticallv. as she closed the desk.
How many times have you been roo
bed2'
Nightly, for the rast week, she
answered excitedly. A large amount
was taken the FIRST night. but since then
only few counterleit> which | deposited
An the hope Of detecting the thief with
ont assistance,
Has any one under your roof
knowledge Of the secret Of she cabinet?''
L inquired, after li'le interval of ST
1ence. But one! !" she cried, bursting
into tears. and wringipg her hands in an
agony OF distress
again celebrated moment, and
then said. firmly: Madame, I have
nos doubt that can. in time, clear M
thiS matter without assistance. But il
i no less certain that perfect candor on
your part viii greatly aid me.
l. vas some minutes before she could
compose herself sufficiently TO answer.
Wh"n she did, it vas in hesrt-hroken
torres: You are right Monsieur,
must tell you Ny suSricions point to
one who has for years been my all
namely, MadamoiScHe De An.oinet,e De
Gray. Madamoiselie De Gray has beer
my protege since the death of her par
ents, which occurred while she was YET
an intart. In her ! have hitherto re-
posed the most unlimited confidence
now | am. distracted with doubts Which
] ana unable to si.elc-