The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-08-28
WHO ROBBED MADAME.


Ihad waited few minutes when she
entered.
The tasteful cap surmounting the
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 Leroux was lady of most
attractive appearance.
She approached me with nervous
haste. her eyes fixed on mine. sent
for-you are" she faltered most in
audibly, and then paused in a pitiable
state of agitation, her slender fingers
slowly INTERVENING themselves and her
whole frame trembling.
Detective Ashton" L responded,
hastily drawing forward chair.
She sunk into it, and by a..silent gest-
IRE invited me to be seated. Present
ly she murmered in low, quivering
voice "Monsieur, / am in great dis
tress Ny" and she again paused,
overcome by her emotions.
waited a minute in expectant silence
and then said
GA case of robbery, / understand,
Madame. Permit me to ask whether
your servants are entirely honest?"
Entirely" she answered. ''They
have served me for twenty years.
"And your pupils ?"
"Not shadow of suspicion may
touch them
"And the resident teachers ?" She
gasped once or twice, and then, control
ing herself with q mighty effort, an
swered TREMENDOUSLY:
pardon my agitation; l am worn
with 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
hourishing, in the city. take much
money, and often keep large sums by
me. This is nay private business room,
and in yonder cabinet l store my sur
plus funds. >"
CA rather unsafe place, I comment
ed.
Mot 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 pur-
pose. Madame looked on in silence till
I drew back and folded my arms. She
then quietly asked:
"You would not suspect the fact L
stated ?" elf the secret compartment
is here, most certainly not.
cit is here" she replied briefly and
empathically, as she closed the desk.
How many times have you been
robbed ?"
Nightly, for the past week." she
answered excitedly. "A large amount
was takeA the first night, but since then
only few counterfeits which deposit
ed in the hope of detecting the thief
without assistance.
- Has any one under your roof
knowledge of the secret of the cabinet?"
I inquired after little interval of
Silence. "But one y she cried, burst
ing iato tears, and wringing her hands
IN an agony OF distress.
again deliberated moment, and
then said, firmly: MADAME, have
not doubt that can, in time, clear up
this matter without assistance. But 1t
is no less certain that perfect candor on
your part will greatly aid me"
IT was some minutes before she could
compose herself sufficiently to answer.
When she did it was in heart-broken
tones You are right, Monsieur, /
must tell you. Ny 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 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 unravel this web of mystery
with any intention of giving publicity to
her guilt. Heaven knows | only desire
TO learn the truth for her own dear sake.
! would not wrong the innocent even in
thought the guilty L 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 a
deep sob choaked her utterance.
she does. A few hours before I
sent Tor you told her of my loss, and
entreated her TO confess and receive my
forglvness. !" With what RESULT ?"
She gazed at me with startled ovos
Tor moment, and then in proud, al
most scornful, accents replied that
above all others, should know wbetbe,
she was capable sf such deed. 4" "And
As she acquainted with the fact of your
L. 4
con, yes, Monsieur. 1 hoped it