The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1875-01-14
WHO ROBBED MADAME +?

| had waited but few moments when
she entered.
The tas teful cap surmounting the
brown locks clustering in pretty confu-
sion of short curls about her forehead pro-
claimed her no longer young, though the
fair, blooming face andshapely form were
far more suggestive of youth than old
age. Altogether Nine Leroux was lady
of most attractive appearance.
She approached me with nervous haste,
her eyes fixed on mine. Il sent for-you
are" she faltered, almost inaudibly, and
then she paused in pitiable state of agi-
tation, her slender fingers slowly inter
twining themselves, and her whole frame
trembling.
detective Ashton" responded, hasti-
ly drawing forward chair.
She sank down into it, and by silent
gesture invited me to be seated. Present
ly she murmured, in a low quivering
voice: Monsieur, | am in great distress
Ny and again she paused, overcome
by her emotions.
waited a moment in expectant silence,
then said:
"a case Of robbery, | understand, ma
dame. Permit me to ask you if your ser
wants are perfectly honest?"
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, controlling
herst If with mighty effort, answered
tremulously:
pardon my agitation; l am worn with
trouble and anxiety" adding presently, in
more even tones II will tell you about
it, monsieur. My school is, asyou doubt
less know from report, the best, and con-
sequently the most fourishing in the city.
take much money, and often keep large
sums by me. This is my private business
room, and in yonder cabinet store my
surplus funds"
"a rather unsafe place" commend
ed.
"Not 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 |
drew back and folded my arms. She
then quietly asked:
"You would not suspect the fact have
stated?"
at is here" she replied, briefly and en-
phatically, as she closed the desk.
"How many times have you been rob-
bed?"
"Nightly, for the past week" she an
swered, exactly GA large amount was
taken the first night, but since then only
few counterfeits which / deposited in
the hope of detecting the thief without
assistance"
"Has any one under your roof knowl-
edge of the secret of the cabinet?" in
quired, after little interval of silence
But one" she cried, bursting into tears
and wringing her hands in an agony of
distress.
l again deliberated moment and then
said firmly: "Madame, | have no doubt
that l can, in time, clear up this matter
without assistance But it is no less GER
tain that perfect candor on your part will
greatly aid me"
1t was some moments before she could
compose herself sufficient to answer
when she did, it was in heart broken tones,
You are right monsieur, | must tell you
My suspicion points to one who has for
years been my all-namely, Mile. de An
toinette De Gray. Mile De Gray has
been my protege since the death of her
parents, which occurred while she was
yet an infant. In her l have hitherto re-
posed the most unlimited confidence;
now l am distracted with doubts it is inn
possible 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 l only desire to learn
the truth for her own dear sake. l
would not wrong the innocent even in
thought; the guilty would labor unceas-
ingly to restore"
Then with sudden burst of grief she
exclaimed:
aMy poor Antoinettel She is so young!
so winning and so beautiful"
''Does Mile De Gray know of your
suspicions?" inquired, as a deep sob
choked her utterance.
'She does. A few hours before I sent
for you, / told her of my love and entreat-
ed her to confess and receive my forgiv-
ness"
"What was the result?"
"She gazed at me with startled eyes for
moment, and then in proud, almost
scornful accents replied that / above all
others, should know whether she was ca
pable of such deed"
"And is she acquainted with the fact
IF your having secured my service?"
"Oh yes, monsieur, l hoped it would
frighten her into full confession"
"Your servants?"
"They know nothing whatever. For
Mile. De Gray's sake / have kept these
startling robberies profound secret"
After few moments serious consider
alton, l said:
Madame, 1 will watch here nightly un-
til the mystery is solved" Madame shook
her head despondingly
at is quite useless, monsieur am
no coward, and have already tried that
plan, and strange to say, my cabinet re-
manned intact both times"
perhaps Mile De Gray suspected
your intentions" / replied. %This time
we must guard against the possibility.
And, now, if you please, l will trouble
you for few more details. "About