Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-09-25
The Girl Detective.

The Girl Detective.
The door of Rufus Markham's count
ing room was securely closed, and the
proprietor of the large, flourishing cot
ton factory talked earnestly with gen
tlemanlY looking man of middle age
whose face was as impressive as wax
mask.
"Five thousand dollars !" said the in
dividuai. 'It was large sum to leave
exposed"
"Exposed!" said Mr.. Markham. "I1
was in my private desk, to which NJ
one has access but myself and my neph'
ew, Fred. Tryon."
''Would it be possible the young gen
tleman"-
"Sir," said Mr.. Markham, indignant.
ly, "my nephew is not thief If hi
needed ten times that sum he knows
would give it freely to him. He will bt
my heir, and is as dear to me as a son
1t is simply absurd to connect him in
any way with this robbery"
"Just state the matter again, briefly,
as you can, and allow me to take notes
will you, Mr.. Markham?"
Certainly. drew five thousand dol.
lars out of the bank yesterday, to meet
a note that was not presented for pay.
ment. Retaining it until after the bank
was closed, concluded to lock it in my
desk until this morning, and did so.-
At nine o'clock this morning the ex.
pected note was presented, and opened
the desk. The money was gone, aud
with it small memorandum book that
was in the same roll"
1.-THE lock was not forced ?"
No, sir; the desk was apparently
exactly as I left it.u
"And Mr.. Tryon has the only dupli-
cate key?"
Z The old gentleman frowned. He was
evidently displeased at the turn the de.
tective's suspicious seemed to be taking
my nephew certainly has the only
duplicate key ?"
.'H'm! yes. You have the number
of the notes ?'
"Yes. The roll consisted of ten five
hundred-dollar notes."
The list of numbers taken, the detec.
tive made searching examination OF
the apartment and prepared to take his
departure. As he stood near the door,
Mr.. Markham suddenly said, nervous
ly:
II think, Mr.. Vodges, if you make
any discoveries, you had better report
to me privately before making any ar
rests"
Certainly, sir, if you desire it. Will
you grant me one favor? Do not men.
ton the robbery to Mr.. Tryon, if you
have not done SO already
mo one has heard of it but yourself" )"
Every good! will call again when
have any report to make"
Erred! Fred!" the old gentleman
said, in low tone, when he was alone
"Vodges evidently thinks it is Fred 1t
cannot be! It is impossible that my
nephew would rob me! I cannot be-
lieve it. And yet he knew the money
was there. He was here when I hand
ed Arnold the check, and here when he
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 own son. Have
not kept my promise? Where have I
failed ? And why should he steal from
me, when all have is his? I cannot,
will not, believe it !"
"May come in ?" asked bright,
pleasant face at the door, and permis-
sion 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 ii
with any idea of roguery, ingratitude
and theft. His manner toward his un-
Gle, who had ever filled fathers place,
was the perfection of respectful affection,
and before he had been an hour in the
counting-room, Mr.. Markham's uneasy
fears were entirely gone.
They were talking of certain dark
eyed little maiden, who was soon to be
Mrs. Tryon, and when Fred left his un-
Gle, it was with promise that he weuld
call in the evening upon Miss Clarkson
to finally arrange for the wedding day.
The young man, a favorite of fortune
apparently, spent the afternoon with
his betrothed, received his uncle in the
evening beside her, and accompanied
the old gentleman to his boarding-house
received an affectionate farewell, when
he took up his way to his own rooms in
another house. For week he heard
nothing Ct the robbery.
1t was just when summer twilight
was fading, that, returning from drive
with Maud Clarkson, Fred met his un-
cle's confidential clerk waiting for him
at Maud's house.
"Ihave note for you, Mr.. Fred" he
said land, as you were not at home, ]
thought would wait here for yOu."
Something in the mans face and
manner struck sudden chill to Maud's
heart.
"You have bad news!" she cried.
Perhaps Mr.. Fred had better read
the note" was the evasive reply.
But Maud's terror was only increased
when Fred, after reading the note
broke into furious exclamation of rage
WHO dares to say am a midnight
burglar ?" he shouted.
"Oh, Fred, what is it?n asked Maud
turning very white.
My uncle has been robbed of five
thousand dollars, and he pays me the
compliment of supposing me the thie1
because ! have duplicate key to his
private desk. I-great heavens !" hi
cried, with sudden change in hi.
voice, "he cannot mean it! . I rob my
uncle! Ip'
"Mr. Fred" said the clerk, respect
fully. II only waited to see how
you took the note, to speak a few
words of advice. Mr.. Fred. 7 wa
with your father when he was killet
on the railway train: was with you
uncle when he brought you from you
mothers funeral to his home. I tool
you to boarding school. and brough
you home for the holidays, and I'y
loved YOU. bow and man sinco Won vvnr