Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-03-27

would leave the house, promising to
return, but would not return. Two of
these predictions were already verified;
but If Marie came back could laugh at
his suspicious, and regard them as futile.
But Marie did not return at five o'clock;
q telegram arrived in her stead from
Madame De Sturges, saying that she had
kept the girl, and would write at length
and explain. Next morning letter was
received from that lady. She told my
wife she was i'll, yet obliged to travel;
homesick in a strange land, without a
familiar woman's face near her, and that
she had persuaded, almost forced, Marie
to remain and set out with her and her
husband for New Orleans that very even
ing. An incoherent, tear blotted note from
Marie accompanied this, filled with pro-
testations Of sorrow at the necessity of
thus deserting us. She was torn by con-
flicting feelings of love toward Mrs.
Powers and her sacred duty to the mother
of little Helene, the angel child whom
she now heard calling to her from the
spirit world, bidding her remain and
comfort the lonely mother
While my wife read this to me with
tears, stood aghast at Belts predictions.
instantly telegraphed to Belts that
would meet him at my son-in-law's office
at twelve o'clock, then proposed to my
wife that she should go to town and
spend a couple of days with our daughter,
and offered to drive her in myself. We set
off within an hour, and after leaving her
up town ! hurried down, eager to see the
detective. It was on the stroke of twelve
when l entered the office, and l thought
at first that Belts had failed me, for no
one was there but ponderous old gentle
man with gold glasses and white side
whiskers. | am not used to intrigues
and masquerades, and when l recognized
Belts in this disguise l could hardly re-
frain from exclaiming at his cleverness
but his own GOODNESS kept me within
bounds, and l sat down beside him and
began reading paper. Presently, with
his eyes still fastened on his Herald, he
edged toward me, and dropped these SEN
tences in my ear:
ats all going beautifully. y
followed the girl in yesterday. y
Went to - Hotel. y The De
Sturgeses booked there all straight. n n
Whole party left Jersey City at nine
O'Clock lost night, tiokefed and luggage
checked to Washington. Slipped
out of the car at Newark, all three in
mems dress, and were back here before
midnight. Met eight fellows /
know at saloon in - street, and can
spot all eleven of 'em this very minute.
They're at den in - street,
getting ready to play their little game
somewhere tonight"
cat my house ?" / cried.
He shook his head.
Dunno" said he, looking straight
into the fire.
"Look here, Belts" whispered, "this
may be fun to you, but, though I'm no
coward, it's death to me. Why not ar
rest 'em now?"
"Yes, just So" he returned, irritably-
"why not? Where's your evidence 7
Now, Mr.. Powers, just look at this mat.
ter sensibly. You know as well as l do
that half the thieves we catch get off be-
cause no one will swear to their identity
at their examination. Now 1 am anxious
to make sure thing of it for once, and
take my oath that caught them in the
act"
"You mean TO arrest them while they
are robbing me?"
81 do"
"All right-only should prefer to have
the row in another mans house"
/ saw at once that Belts opinion of me
had gone down to zero; but he disguised
his contempt, and went on to tell me that
he had dispatched one of his men, John
son by name, to my place to make re.
connoissance, under pretense of trimming
my evergreens. Upon this mans report,
and upon two or three other open ques.
tions which he did not think it worth
while to explain, depended his programme
for tonight. If by any possibility there
was likelihood of my house being en-.
tered at once, was to know it by dinner.
time, that might be prepared for the
burglars. l was meantime to go home
quietly, and spend my time in my usual
manner, so as to excite no comment among
the servants, and receiving no word from
Belts was to rest satisfied, and consider
my house safe for another twenty four
hours.
I, went home according to directions,
and set about spending the day IN my
usual way, but the house was so still, and
seemed so deserted, found it impossi'
BILE to read, even to sit quietly in chair
for more than five minutes at time. Sc
called the little dog, and set out for g
walk about the grounds, feeling some
curiosity to get glimpse of the detective
johnson. 1t was black December after
noon, shivering wind in the tree-tops
and leaden clouds promising snow before
midnight The bare ground was frozen
hard, and few dead leaves eddied about
in gusts that rose and fell at uncertain in
tervals. l heard the sound Of an az
through the somber stiffness, and Jingle
frisked forward and barked at mar
hacking at the frs in the shrubbery.
addressed him regarding his work, anC
hn vii lraR hanR hiC annrnOiQfinn nf
mutual sharpness; then / went on, re
connoitered few minutes longer, ant
again turned in. The day seemed end
less, and | was glad when Saunders Ii
the gas and shut out the shivering land
scape and funereal clouds with the heavy
curtains Dinner.time came, and brough
with it semblance of occupation, anC
when was half through my meal sud
denly remembered Jingle, and sen
for him to keep me company. He wa
not in the house. 1t flashed upon M
that 1 had not seen him after passing
| johnson in the thicket, and dispatched
the cOachman to call him I'M but onl,
echoes answered the cry He had evi
dently remained out in the grounds witt
the policeman, and dismissed the sub
iect from my mind, finished my dessert
and went back to my library fire. N,
word had come from Belts, hence l wa
safe for tonight, at all events, and
breathed freer, and stretched my legs an,
dozed until ten O'Clock in comparativ
comfort. Then, rousing myself, l lit
lantern and went out the door and alon
the side piazzas to speak word wit
Johnson, who, Belts had arranged, was i
any case to keep a watch under the COY
cred carriage-way.
He SOas not there. did not understan
it. Had he got-drunk, or had Belts take
him awayS Perhaps, however, he wa
still lettering at the edge of the grounds
accordingly, l walked out on the law
and swung my lantern two or three time
Then, as It was bitter cold and was begin
ming to snow, turned in, and, findin
that it was almost eleven O'Clock, j O.
dered Saunders to close the house an
send the servants to bed, and to bed
went myself.
But as soon as the light was out an
my head touched the pillow was fresl
ly impressed by the mystery Of johnson
disappearance, and accordingly got VI
opened my pistol, case, took out Two r