The Republican journal., 1874-05-21
My Wife's M aid.

tures of the rObberieS We're the same In
every case 4 gang of from seven to eleven
masked men had broken into an isolated
! dwelling containing AN unusual amount
of silver or Jewels; had intimidated the in
mates by threatening them with firearms
mastered them, secured them. gagged
them, then quietly proceeded methodical-
/ ly to strip the house of all the valuables
ii contained Their intelligence of prem
ises was never faulty. Secret drawers
and sliding panels supposed to be known
only to the family, We're sought and open
ed at once, and safes, whether built into
the walls OF exposed in closets, We're
equally nj their mercy, and easily forced
by means of drills and gun powder.
| The police seemed interchangeable in m
vestigaton and pursuit, yet five Of these
audacious and astounding robberies had
succeeded each other without a single AZ
rest taking place. Plenty of rumors We're
| abroad that the gang were in the hands
of the authorities. but such statements
contained not a grain of truth. for the de
tectives We're absolutely in the dark
My own position filled me with ami
ETY.. My house is six miles from town,
set in the centre of wide grounds, remote
| from any habitation but the gardener 5
cottage at the gate Both my wife and
myself had inherited Il large amount of
bulky family plate, and besides this use
less metal. which never came out of the
| safe, had several costly services present
ed on the occasion of our marriage, three
| large salvcrs, etc. testimonials from so
cietics of which had been an active mem
ber, to say nothing of a complete andvaried
assortment Of small articles in silver and
gold Then my wite's possessions We're
those of princess, for she had been the
daughter OF u millionaire, and all her life
Il spoiled child of fortune. Besides plate
and Jewels, her house contained a valuable
collection OF statualy, paintings, and bron-
zes, and was ony y too conscious OF hay
ing expended fortune upon the surround
ings OF our daily life, and was inspired
with grave doubts as to its safety Brood
ing over such thoughts, and reading the
newspapers filled with speculations con-
cerning these mysterious burglaries, |
soon became the victim of an exaggerated
disquietude. Had my own wishes been
carried out, every ounce of silver and
every Jewel we owned would have been
sent into town to my bankers, but my
wife objected. laughed at my apprehen-
sions, and begged me not to worry.
But continued to worry, and perpleN-
ed myself with conflicting plans ior safety,
and one day while in town | went to the
head quarters of the police, and enquired
for Bets. the detective engaged on this
case.
lie admitted NE into his private room.
| asked for the latest news. Had any body
been arrested No. Was any body to
be arrested? He shrugged his shoulders.
Was any body suspected?
He chuckled softly to himself.
My dear sir, said he, 1--WE suspect
every body"
Then cried |. ";lllest every body on
| suspicion, Good God | cannot sleep
| in my bed, for something assures me that
my turn will come next. | can't decide
what to do Belts My wife won't let the
silver and the diamonds 90 out Of the
house, and this very night may be awak-
ened to find masked men standing over
me with loaded pistols, who will rob my
house under my very eyes,
Belts shook his head mused Il little
with his LEG crossed and his left forenger
said he presently. .how many servants
| lltN Z NOti- MI owe t.tNt ttli nv
| about them individuality
went over their names, and the detect
| i've checked them off in his memorandum-
book as gave the facts connected with
| them. Saunders, the butler had been
with Us seventeen years; the cook five
years coachman and groom, seven, and
| the chambermaid three-all fixtures in
the household but Marie, my witc's maid,
who had come within the last four weeks.
| "Ah :" exclaimed Belts. where did YOU
get Marie3 Was She we'll recommend
| ed ?"
"Oh, YES; she is French. and Just came
to this country with a family by the name
| Of De Sturges She was nurse to 4 child
who died on the passage. and was thus
thrown out of employment; she advertis-
ed. and my wife saw her, liked her and
engaged her.
| ~ GU continue to like her ,?
''Certainly; she's a perfect genius, with
effective magic in her fingers
'.Did You see her former employers?n ~
YES. both De Sturges and his wife
chatty, agreeable people, of some means
apparently, and are going TO settle in
New Orleans
'Describe her, if YOU please" said Belts
with a keen interest, which surprised me,
"Oh,' he added, as | stared at him, give
me leave to be curious"
with all my heart Marie is small
black-eyed, black haired compactly built
with remarkably neat hands and feet. She
has a saucy laughing face, and her hair j.
short, crisp, and curly"
"IIow about her voice.
Very clear and ringing She does no
speak English tluently, but understands
every word that is said to her"
''Now about her little ways"
"A thorough Frenchwoman, with ;
knack of pleasing every body. don
know when Eve seen such an artless
good, happy little girl
Belts laughed uneasily, then bent hi
head on his hand, his elbow resting Oh
his knee.
..Mr. Powers,'' said he at last, looking
up with peculiar flash in his eye, 81 an
going to take you into my confidence, bu
YOU must be discreet or you will ruin me
Eve sworn to see this thing through o
resign my position. I'm sick of this in
fernal foolery Of calling myself Il detectiv
and letting Satan reign night and day al
over the city. The newspapers drive nj
mad. They know nothing of the obsta
cles we contend with, and goad us int
premature steps, which costs us our repr
tation, and end in failure. I've been work
ing in the dark these nine weeks, but, b,
, Heavens, | believe you've shown me
glimmer Of light"
His manner indicated intense excite
ment, his words came spasmodically, hi
face worked, and he had to draw his han
. two or three times across his mouth be
! fore he could go on. Then producing
. notebook, he opened its well-worn leaves
"There have been," he began, lookin,
at me with a sort of smile, five great rob
berries within the last six months, AM
each one has special features, characteri2
ing it as the work of the same hands
the other four"
s.First, the combination of seven t
. eleven masked men, all adroit burglars
q second, an isolated house is attacked, sur
! to contain ample provision for a successfi
= | robbery. third. the thieves know tn