The Portland daily press., 1874-05-09
MY Wife's Maid.


any household The general features of the
robberes were the same. In every case
gang of fiom seven to eleven masked men
had broken into an isolated dwelling contain
% ing an unusual amount Of silver or jewels;
had intimidated the inmates by threatening
them with firearms: mastered them, secured
them, gagged them, then quietly proceeded
methodicay to strip the house of all the val
uables it contained. Their intelligence OF
the premises was never faulty. Secret draws
and sliding panels supposed to be known on
ly to the family, were sought and opened at
once, and safes, whether built into the walls
or exposed in closets, were equally at their
mercy, and easily forced by means of drills
and gun-powder.
cation and pursuit, yet five of these auda-
cious and astounding robberes had succeeded
each other without single arrest taking
place. Plenty of rumors were abroad that
the gang were in the hands of the authorities,
but such statements contained not a grain of
truth, for the detectives were absolutely in
the dark.
NV own position filled me with anxiety.
NV house is six miles from town, set in the
centre of wide grounds, remote from any
habitaton but the gardeners cottage at the
gate. Both my wife and myself had Inherit
ed large amount of bulky family plate, and
besides this useless metal, which never came
out of the safe, had several costly services
presented on the occasion of our marriage,
three large salvers, etc, testimonials from So
re cieties of which had been an active mem
o. Der, to say nothing of complete and varied
assortment OF small articles in silver and gold.
Then my wife's possessions were those OF
princess, for she had been the daughter OF
millionaire, and all her life spoiled child OF
fortune. Besides plate and jewels, her house
contained . valuable collection of statuary,
40 o.o1r
conscious of having expended fortune upon
the surroundings of our daily life, and was
inspired with grave doubt as to its safety.
Brooding over such thoughts, and reading
the newspapers, filled with speculations con.
corning these mysterious burglaries, l soon
became the victim of an exaggerated dispute
tude. Had my own wishes been carried out,
every ounce OF silver and every jewel we
fc- owned would have been sent into town to
my bankers, but my wife objected, laughed
at my apprehensions, and begged me not to
worry. ar I'D
49,: But continued to worry, and perplexed
myself conflicting plans for safety, and
one day while in town went to the head
quarters of the police, and enqured for Belts,
the detective engaged on this case.
He admitted me into his private room.
asked for the latest news. Had any body
been arrested? No. Was anybody to he ar
rested? He shrugged his shoulders. Was
anybody suspected?
He chuckled softly to himself
My dear sir" said he, 1--WE suspect every
body
"Then cried I, 'sarrest everybody on sus-
picion! Good God! / cannot sleep in my
bed, for something assures me that my turn
will come next. l can't decide what to do,
Belts. My wife won't let the silver and the
diamonds go out of the house, and this very
night may be awakened to find masked msn
standing over me with loaded pistols, who will
rob my house under my very eyesp'
Belts shook his head; unused a little with
his leg crossed and his left forefnger pressed
into his cheek. "By-the-bye," said he pres
emily, show many servants have you. Mr..
Powers? Please tell me about them individ-
ually."
went over their names, and the detective
checked them off in his memorandum-book
IS gave the facts connected with them.
Saunders, the butler, had been with us sew
q enteen years; the cook five years, coachman
and groom, seven, and the chambermaid,
three-all fixtures in the household but Ma
RE. my wife's maid, who had come within
the last four weeks.
"Ahr' exclaimed Belts, where did you get
Marie? Was she well recommended"
ooh, yes; she is French, and just come to
this country with family by the name of
De Sturges. She was nurse to child who
II ulCu Ou Tie pdSSdSc, duu was GIluS buIoWu
!. out of employment; she advertised, and my
wife saw her, liked her and engaged her.
you continue to like her?"
"Capitally; she's perfect genius, with eff
fective magic in her fingers"
''Did you see her former employers ?"
49, Eyes, both De Sturges and his wife-chat-
ty, agreeable people, of some means, appar-
emily, and are going to settle i'll New Or
leans"
80 sDescribe her, if you please" said Belts,
with keen interest, which surprised me,
"Oh,' he added, as I stared at him, ''give
me leave to be curious.'
with all my heart. Marie is small, black
eyed, black-haired, compactly built, with re-
markably neat hands and feet. She has
sagcy laughing face, and her hair is short,
crisp, and curly"
Show about her voice?' :.
Every clear and ringing She does not
/ speak English fuently, but understands every
word that is said TO her."
"Now about her little ways.''
"A thorough Frenchwoman, with knack
OF pleasing everybody. don't know when
I've seen such an artless, good, happy little
GIRL"
Belts laughed uneasily. then bent his head
on his hand, his elbow resting ON his knee.
/ Mr.. Powers" said he at last, looking UP
with peculiar flash in bis eyes, II am going
to take you into my confidence, but you must
be discreet or you will ruin me. I've sworn
to see this thing through or resign my posi-
ton. I'm sick of this Internal foolery of call
ing myself a detective and letting Satan reign
night and day all over the city. The news
papers drive me mad! They know nothing
OF the obstacles we contend with, and goad
us into premature steps, which cost US our
reputation, and end in failure. I've been
working in the dark these nine weeks, but,
by Heavens, I! believe you've shown me a
glimmer of light"
His manner indicated intense excitement
MS words came spasmodically, his face work.
Cd, and he had to draw his hand two or three
LINES I'll across his mouth before he could 90 on
linen producing notebook, he opened it's
well-worn leaves.
There have been," he began, looking al
me with sort OF smile, five great robberies
within the last six months, and each one. has
special features, characterizing it as the work
of the same hands as the other fodr''
"First, the combination of seven to eleven
masked men, all adroit burglars; second, am
isolated house is attacked, sure to contain
ample provision for a successful robbery,
third, the thieves know tho premises fourth,
the leader of the gang is a small man. Of
active habits, with clear, shrill voice"
He stopped and looked at me.
81 did not know there was recoguIzed
leader" remarked.
ne GREW large DOCK from his desk.
"Here," said he, q" is the full testimony in ali
five cases. Run your eye over il, and YOU
", Will see chat the general facts all coincide.
Inc small man gives directions and leads
everybody"
Probably some London craftsman
5etts nodded, winked, then leaned forward
rnu whispered in my ear, 81 suspect it's
"a lamposslbIe: no woman has the nerve"
mans Se o, then-somethng in a wo.-
,S on which base this belief THE rest Of
az sn. re eng are as free and easy with each other
this little one, but all draw back to ef bi Hn
pass pass. ne /; gives orders, exerts himself when
needed Se looks orr wb bnt t Mnen strength is