The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-09-15

(" Your servants P'
"They know nothing whateyer For
Mademoiselle De Gray's sake ! have kept
these startling robberies profound So
cret."
After few minutes of serious considera-
tion said
Madame, / viii watch here nightly till
the mystery is solved"
Madame shook her bead idespondihgly
1T is quite useless, Monsieur. am no
coward, and have already tried that plan,
and strange to say, my cabinet remained
intact both times. !" al4
Perhaps Mademoiselle De Gray sus-
pected your intentions" l replied. "This
time we must guard against possibility
And now if you please, will trouble you
for a few more details. About what time
do these robberies take placeP''
always between midnight and day
break seldom retire till twelve O'Clock,
and on the night Of the first theft it was
considerably later. remember distinct
ly, for by singular coincidence Madem-
oiselle De Gray and sat here discussing
the possibility Of the very event which oc-
CURED. The resent Madworth robbery had
impressed us both deeply, and as we left
the room l bade Mademoiselle lock the
door"
Did you lock the other ?" l asked indi-
eating one had noticed awhile before.
"That is only store closet"
at might secrete burglar, however"
Yes, Monsieur but it did not was
in there very few minutes before we re-
tired"
"And the key of the door here-did
Mademoiselle know where you put p"
Certainly, Monsieur"
"And since that night ?''
"Alas Monsieur, have hidden my
keys in vain"
After some further conversation / took
my leave promising to return about mid
night.
did so. Mademoiselle and the servants
had retired, and, as previously arranged,
Madame answered my light tap herself
She ushered me into the private room, and
soon bade me good night.
After short absence she returned with
a steaming cup of coffee and a plate of
dutch cake.
always takea cup before retiring"
she explained, "and thought you might
find one acceptable.
And with a final good night she left me-
Feeling both chilled and thirsty, empti-
ed the cup almost at one draught. Then
wheeling a chair behind the curtains
draping large bay window, l extinguish-
ed the light and sat to await the appear
ance of the unknown thief.
But saw nothing. Just at daybreak
Madame softly entered the room and spoke
to me. rose unsteadily TO my feet and
stepped from behind the curtains. She
gazed at me in surprise for moment, and
them smiled little ironically.
Monsieur slept well, perceive"
I" Yes, Madame, if well means soundly," {"
replied. "The coffee was drugged."
"Drugged ~ she echoed, staggering
back pace or two.
eyes, Madame. Permit me to ask who
made it?"
She covered her face with her hands for
an instant, and then dropping them reeled
over to the cabinet In a minute she was
beside me again.
"Who made p' she repeated in deep
hollow tones. Mademoiselle De Gray I
And-and, Monsieur, the money is gone !''
"But," answered, in some vexation,
Mademoiselle, of all others should have
not known Of my presence here"
All, Monsieur, was not careful" re-
turned Madame" sorrowfully. IT'S a
mystery how she gained her knowledge"
Well, Madame" answered, after a
few minutes deliberation, 1--WE will meet
Mademoiselle on her own ground. Permit
her, il you please, to prepare another cup
of coffee tonight. She will, no doubt,
count upon its effect"
And that night received another steam
ing cup. But it was received only. Con-
sequently | was not found mapping.
l had watched patiently for two hours
or more, when the door softly opened and
a pale, slender old woman wrapped in
crimson dressing gown, and about whose
bare head fioated few scanty grey locks,
stole noiselessly into the room.
She carried bunch of keys and light
ed taper in a small bronze candlestick.-
Closing the door carefully behind her, she
proceeded at once to the cabinet.
Can this weird-lool1ing old woman be