The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1874-07-09
WHO ROBBED MADAME ?

hnd waited but few minutes when
she entered. ,
The tasteful cap surmountlng the
brown locks clustering i'll pretty con.
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 1Ie-
ronx was lady Of most attractive APP
pearance. -,
She approached me with nervous
haste. her eyes fixed on mine.
at sent for-you are" she faltered
almost inaudibly, and then paused IN
pitiable state of agitation, her slender
fingers slowly INTERVIEWING themselves,
and her whole frame trembling
"Detective AsAton," [ responded,
hastily, drawing forward chair.
She sunk into it, and by silent ges-
ture invited me to be seated. Present.
ly she murmured in low quivering
voice:
"Monsieur, l am in great distress
NY" and 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 honest ?"
Entirely" she answered, brokenly.
'They have served me for twenty
years"
"And your pupils?" ,
"Not shadow Of suspicion may touct
them.
"And the resident teachers?
She gasped once or twice, and the1
controlling herself with mighty effort
answered tremulously;
Pardon my agitation | am worl
with trouble and anxiety" adding pres
emily, in more even tones, "l will tel
YOU about it, monsieur. My school is
rs Won doubtless know from report, tn
best, and, consequently, the most Hour
shing in the city. | take much money
and often keen large sums by me. Ihl
is my private business room, and III yol
der cabinet | store my surplus funds
GA rather unsafe place" ! CONNER
ted
mot at all, monsieur" she answered
decidedly. 1t is furnished with 81
cret receptacle Discover it, il you can'
And rising, she led the way to IL
cabinet, and threw open the desk.
But exhausted my wits to no pu
pose. Madame looked on in silence Il
drew back and folded my arms. 81
then quietly asked
You would not suspect the fact
have stated ?"
"lf tho secret compartment is her
most certainly not,
"It is here, she replied, briefly al
emphaticalIy, as she closed the desk.
How many times have you be
robbed ?"
"Nightly, for the past week, she q
swered, excitedly, "a large amou
was taken the first night, but since tn
only few counterfeits which | dep'
tied in hope of detecting the thief wit
out assistance.
"Has any one under your root
knowledge Of the secret of the cabinet
I Inquired, aftcr little interval OF
lencc.
"But one !" she cried, bursting il
tears, aud wringiDg her hands IN
agony of distress. But one but o
alas p
| again deliberatcd q moment, Q
then said firmly
Madame, | have not doubt tina
can, in time, clear mp this matter wi
out assistance, but it is no less cert
that perfect candor on your part '
greatly aid me.
1t was some minutes before she co
compose herself sufficient to ansv
When she did it was in heart bro
tones:
"You ate right, monsieur. ! m
tell YOU. Ny suspicious point to
who has for years been my all nam
MademOselle De AntOinettG Da Ii
Mademoiselle De Gray has been
protegc since the death OF her pare
which occurred while she was yet al
FAINT. In her | have hitherto rept
the most unlimited confidence nc
am distracted with doubts it is impt
BILE to silence"
"Bnt. monsieur. have not sent
you to unravel this web Of mystery
any intention of giving publicity tc
guilt. Heaven knows | only deslr
learn the truth for her own SAKE
would not wrong the innocent eve
thought the guilty | would un
inglv labor to restore.
Then with sudden burst of grie
exclaimed
"My poor Artonette She
young so winning! aud so heautl
"Does MademOsclle de GRAY
of your suspicion p 7 inquired,
deep sob choked her utiorancc.
"She does. 4 lew hours bef'
sent for You told her of my loss
entreated her to confess and receiy
forgiveness r.
with what RESULT"
"She gazed at me with startled
for moment. and then III prou
most scornful accents, replied, 9
above oil others, should know vi
she was capable OF such deed.
"And is she acquainted with Va
OF Your having secured her serv
"Oh, yes, monsieur. ] hhi
would frighteu her into full G
sion."
Your servants -
They know nothing whatever
Mademaiseile de Gray's sake
kept these starting robbefies
found secret
After a few minutes serious co