Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-10-17

his possession yet. He will wait to see
the fate Of what be has given you before
putting any more into circulation but
he has probably hidden it very securely.
You he will watch /; but If you are will
ing, I will take your room while you
are gone, and do little private detec-
tive business on my part" s
It was not easy to persuade Fred to
consentto Potter's plan, but Maud's
persuasions being added to the old mans
he finally consented to leave tho city for
a week, and return in that time to vindi-
cate his own innocence in case Of Pot
ter's failure.
Before night Fred was on his way to
visit another city, and his landlady had
agreed to allow Mr.. Potter to occupy
his place during his absence.
Fred had been gone two days, when
the old clerk called upon Miss Clarkson
to report progress.
II am completely bafi1ed," he said,
in answer to her inquiries. 'sYou see,
Arnold knows me, and evidently sus-
poets me. He is as affectionately desi-
rous of keeping me in sight, that can
mot get peep into his room and
whenever he is out, be locks tho door
and gives the key to the landlady. I
cannot force his door yet, and by the
time Fred returns, I am afraid the mon
ey will be struggled away. I am sure
it is in his possession now, he is so
careful about the landlady. did think
ofbribing the chambermaid to let me in
when she was at work there, but, unfor-
tunately, she left to-day"
A flash Of light seemed to pass across
Maud's face, but she only said, demure-
ly:
"Your landlady is german, is she
not ?"
Eyes ; her English is very imperfect.
Have you ever seen her?
"No; have heard Fred speak Of
her. My mother, you know. was
German"
''But what has that to do with Fred's
case ~
II will tell you. Wedges has tried to
find the thief. and failed. You have
tried, and failed. l am to try and
succeed !"
H'You! What can you do ?"
''Come tomorrow, and l will tell
you.'
Punctual to the appointed time, Pot
ter made his appearance.
With dancing eyes and flushing
cheeks, Maud met him.
SWELL ?" Ire asked, certain from her
looks that she had good tidlngs.
81 told you would succeed !"
land you did ? Huzza, 7 foe, -
young as Fred himselfv
ITO whom have telegraphed to re-
turn. He will be here this evening, and
you must bring Mr.. Markham, Mr..
Wedges and the proper police authorl-
ties, to meet in his room, and remove
the joint in the pipe you will find Mr.,
Markham's memorandum book and
the missing notes.
You are sure?'
Listen This morning, in = calico
dress, sun-bonnet, and pair Of course
shoes, for disguise. I applied for the place
Of chambermaid at the boarding house
where Mr.. Arnold has room. I braid
ed my hair in two long plaits, and con.
vinced your landlady that was re-
cent importation from Germany, unable
to speak word of English. She agreed
to::take me for ono week on trial, and
before I had been two hours in the
mousse 1 was sent to tidy Mr.. Arnold's
room.-Never was a room tidied so
quickly and seeing my mistress on her
way to market, I shot the bolt, and
took survey of the premises. The
trunk was licked, the bureau drawers
wide open, the closet door ajar. I felt
reluctance to overhaul my private de-
positories !; though 1 should have done
it, she added, resolutely, ''if I had
been drived to it! rumaged little,
when on the closet-foor Iespied shirt,
apparently scarcely soiled, except one
sleeve, and that was black with SCOT.
What is he dong at the fireplace in
summer I thought, and went to ex-
anime. A few minutes sufficed to con-
vince me that the stove had been NOV
ed out, and the elbow Of the pipe re.
moved. I repeated the process to find
roll of five hundred-dollar notes and q
small notebook, with the name Rufus
Markham on the first page. replaced
everything carefully and came home.
Now, Mr.. Potter. be must be taken by
surprise, or he may say Fred put the
notes there
You are brave girl cried the old
man, locking with admiration at the
beautiful. animated face, and Fred vii
own you more than his hfe.'
He can repay me BY coming to tell
mo the good news when he is clear
Eight was striking by the city clocks
when Doctor Graham Arnold, dressed
in the latest fashion, and with fragrant
Havana between his lips, strolled leis.
urely into his room. .-a.a Ho-
He hod been in the parlor Of his board
ing house for an hour, watching Mr..
Potter NTH some anxiety, but wholly
unaware of the little of four, who, in
Mr.. Potter's temporary apartment,
awaited his return to his own room.
Once inside the door the noacAalan,
look left the handsome face .of the
young man, and he muttered 6ercely
4 must get out Of this! Potter aus
poets me, aud may yet communicate his
1