The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-09-10
WHO ROBBED MADAME.

fusion of short curlS about her forehead
proclaimed her no longer young, though
the fair blooming face and shapely form
we're far more suggestive Of youth than
of old age. Altogether, Madame LIE.
roux was lady Of most attractive ap.
pearance.
She approached me with nervous
haste, her eyes fixed ON mine. 81 sent
for-you are" she faltered almost in
audibly, and'then paused in ptiable
state of agitation, her slender fingers
slowly INTERVENING themselves, and her
whole frame trembling.
detective Ashton" ] responded.
hastily drawing forward chair.
She sunk into it, and by silent ges-
ture invited me to be seated. Present
iy she murmured in low, quivering
voice: "Monsieur, am in great dis
tress. Ny and she again paused,
overcome by her emotions.
waited minute in expectant silence,
and then said:
"a case Of robbery, understand,
Madame. Permit me to ask whether
your servants are entirely honest2'
"Entirely," she answered brokenly.
"They have served me twenty years.
And your pupils!''
"Not shadow of suspicion may
touch them
"And the resident teachers?" She
gasped once or twice, and then, con-
trolling herself with mighty effort,
answered TREMENDOUSLY:
Pardon my agitation; l am worn
via trouble and anxiety" adding
presently, in more even tones, 81 will
tell you about it, Monsieur My
school is, as you doubtless know from
report, the best, and, consequently,
the most fourishing, in the city. |
take much money, ans. often keep
large sums by me. This is my private
business room, and in yonder cabinet |
store my surplus funds. y
GA rather unsafe place." | com
mcntcd.
"Not at all, Monsieur" she answered
decidedly. at is furnished with a
secret receptacle. Discover it if you
cam And, rising, she led the way to
the cabinet and threw open the desk.
But Exhausted 1ny wits to no pur-
pose. Madame looked on in silence till
. | drew back and folded my arms. She
then quietly asked:
"You would not suspect the fact that
! have statedl' eff the secret com
partment is here, most certainly not
cit is here" she replied, briefly and
emphatically, as she closed the desk.
'How many times have you been
robbed!'
Nightly, for the past week. she
answered, cxcitedly. "a large amount
was taken the first night, but since then
only few counterfeits which | depos
tied in the hope of detecting the thief
without assistance
HAS any one under your roof a
knowledge of the secret Of the cabinet!
l inquired, after little interval Of ST.
lence. "But one!' she cried, bursting
into tears, and wringing her hands in
an agony of distress.
again deliberated moment, and
then said, firmly: MADAME, have not
q 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 aid me"
1t was some minutes before she could
compose herself sufficiently to answer.
When she did, it was in art-broken
tones: "You are right, Monsieur. l
must tell you. My suspicious point to
one who has for years been my all
namely, Mademoiselle De Antoinette
De Gray. Mademoiselle Gray has
been my protege since the death of her
parents, which occurred while she was
yet an infant. 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 unravcl this web of mystery
with any intention of giving publicity
to her guilt. Heaven knows only de-
sire to learn the truth for her own dear
sake. would not wrong the innocent
even in thought; the guilty l would
labor increasingly to restore.
Then with sudden burst of grief she
exclaimed:
"My poor Antoinettc! She is so
young! so winning! and so beautiful
"Does Mademoiselle De Gray know Of
your suspicious = inquired, as deep
sob choked her utterance.
"She does. A few hours before l
sent tor you told her Of my loss, and
entreated her to confess and receive nv
forgiyeness,' with what result %
"She gazed at me with startled eyes
fer 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 servicesF
"Oh, yes, Monsieur. hoped it would
frighten her into q full confession.
"Your servants!
"They know nothing whatever. For
Mademoiselle Dc Grays sake | have
kept these startling robberies a profound
secret" After few minutes serious
consideration said:
Madame, l will watch here nightly
until the mystery is solved" Madame
shook her head despondingly.
at is is quite useless, Monsieur. |
am no coward, and have already tried
that plan, and. strange to say, my cabl-
net remained intact both times"