Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-10-28
THE GIRL DETECTIVE.

ing man Of middle age, whose face was as
impassive rs q wax mask.
" Five thousand dollars !" said the in.
dividual. "It was large sum to leave
exposed"
=" Exposed ?" said Mr.. Markham. ct
was in my private desk, to which no one
has access but myself and my nephew
Fred. Tryon."
" Would it be possible the young gen.
tleman-"
= Sir !" said Mr.. Markham indignant
"; my nephew is not thief. If he
needed ten times that sum he knows
would freely give it to him. He will be
ms heir, and is as dear to me as n son.
1t is simply absurd to connect him in any
way with this robbery"
Just state this matter again, briefly
ms you can, and allow me to take notes,
will you, Mr.. Markham ?"
- Certainly. drew $4,000 out of ba,.k
Yesterday, to meet note that was not
presented for payment. Retaining it un-
I'll after the bank was closed, l concluded
10 lock il in my desk until this morning,
and did so. At o'clock this morning
the expected note was presented, and |
opened the desk. The money was gone,
and with it small memorandum book
that was in the same roll"
" The lock was not forced ?'
. No, sir the desk was apparently ex-
act!.y as left it."
" And Mr.. Tryon has the only duplicate
key ?"
Tho old gentleman frowned. He was
evidently displeased at the turn the detec-
tive's suspicious seemed to be taking.
My nephew certainly has the only du-
plicate key"
HIM yes. You have the NUM- bers
Of tho notes ?''
" Yes. The roll consisted of ten $500
notes"
The list Of numbers being taken, the
detective made searching examination
of the apartment and prepared to take his
Departure. As he stood near the door,
Mr.. Markham suddenly said, nervously {:
q" think, Mr. Vodges, if you make
any discoveries you had better report to
me privately before making any arrests"
Z" Certainly, sir, if you desire it. Will
you grant me one favor? Do not men
iion the robbery to Mr.. Tryon, if you
lave not done so already"
. No one has heard of it but yourself"
Very good will call again when /
have any report to make"
" Fred Fred ~ the old gentleman
said in low tone when he was alone
Vodges evidently thinks it is Fred
il cannot be 1t is impossible that my
nephew would ROB me cannot believe
it. And yet he knew the money was there.
lie was here when | handed Arnold the
check, and here when be returned with
the money. He knew that Johnson's
note was not presented, and Fred alone
has duplicate key. Oh, if it should be
Annals boy, that promised to love as my
son. Have | not kept my promise p
Where have | failed ? And why should
ho steal from me, when all have is his
cannot, / will not believe it,"
May come in ?" asked bright and
pleasant face at the door, ana permission
being given, Fred Tryon entered the
room.
Looking into his handsome young face,
bright and frank, with well. opened brown
eyes, and curls of nut brown hair, it was
hard TO connect il with any idea of roguery
ingratitude and theft. His manner toward
the uncle, who had ever filed fathers
place, was the perfection of respectful af-
fiction, and before he had been an hour
in the counting room, Mr.. Markham un-
easy fears were entirely gone.
They were talking of a certain dark
eyed little maiden, who was soon to be
Mrs. Tryon, and when Fred left his uncle
il was with a promise that he would call
i the evening upon Miss Clarkson to final
ly arrange for the wedding day.
The young man, a favorite of fortune
apparently, spent the afternoon with his
letrothed, received his uncle in the even
ing, beside her, and accompanied the old
gcntleman to his boarding house, receiv-
ing an affectionate farewell when he took
up his way to his own rooms in another
house. For week he heard nothing of
the robbery.
1t was just when Summer twilight was
fading that, returning from u drive with
Maud Clarkson, Fred met his unce's con-
tdential clerk waiting for him at Maud's
house.
have n note for you, Mr.. Fred" he
said, "and as you were not at home, i
thought would wait for you"
Something in the mans face and man
ner struck n sudden chill to Maud's heart.
You have bad news - she cried.
Perhaps Mr.. Fred had better read the
note" was the evasive answer.
But Maud's terror was only increased
when Fred, after reading the note, broke
into a furious exclamation of rage.
Who dares say am a midnight bur-
glar ?' he shouted.
"Oh, Fred, what is it ?" asked Maud,
turning very white.
MY uncle has been robbed of $1,000,
and he pays me the compliment Of sup
sing me the thief, because | have a du-
plicate key to his desk. I-Great Heav-
cn - he cried, with a sudden change in
his voice, "he cannot mean it ! rob
my uncle II"
Mr.. Fred" said the clerk, respectful
~, 4" only waited to see how you took
the note, to speak few words of advice.
Mr.. Fred, l was with your father when