The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-11-17
gelett Storp.
The Girl Detective.

The door of Rufus Markham's counting
room was securely closed, and the prOprie-
tor Of the large, aourishing cotton factory
talked earnestly with gentlemanly looking
man Of middle age, whose face was as inn
pressive as wax mask.
give thousand dollars r. said the indi-
viduai. at was large sum to leave ex-
posed"
Exposed r said Mr.. Markham. ST
was in my private desk, to which no one
has access but myself and my nephew,
Fred Tryon.'e
"Would it be possible the young gentle
man
"Sir,' said Mr.. Markham, Indignantly,
"my nephew is not thief. If he needed
ten times that sum he knows I would give
it freely to him. He will be 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 2"
Certainly, l drew Eve thousand dol
lars out Of bank yesterday, to meet note
that was not presented for payment. Re
tanning it until after the bank was closed,
| concluded to lock it in my desk until
this morning, and did so. At niue o'clock
this morning the expected note was pre-
sented, and l opened tho desk. The
money was gone, aud with it small memo
randum book that was in the same roll"
"The lock was not forced n
"No, sir the desk was apparently ex-
uctly as ] left it,"
Sand Mr. Tryon has the only duplicate
key2"
The old gentleman frowned. BE was
evidently displeased at the turn the detec-
tive's suspicious seemed to be taking.
"My nephew certainly has the only du-
plicate key"
"H'm yes. You have the number of
tho notes2"
eyes. The roll consisted Of ten FIVE
hundred-dollar 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:
~ think, Mr.. Vogdes, if you make any
discoveries, you had better report to me
privately before making any arrests"
Certainly, sir, if you desire it. win
you grant me one favor? Do not men
ton the robbery to Mr.. Tryon, if you have
not done SO already"
"No one has heard of it but yourself"
"Very good / will cali again when /
have any report to make"
Erred Fred~ the old gentleman said,
IN low tone, when he was alone; ''Vogdes
evidently thinks it is Fred It cannot
be ! 1t is impossible that my nephew
would rob me / cannot believe It. And
yet he knew the money was there. He
was here when l handed Arnold the check,
and here when he returned with the mon
ey. He knew that Johnson's note was
not presented, and Fred alone has a du-
plicate key. oh, if it should be Annals
boy, that promised to love as my own
son. Have | not kept my promise 2
Where have | failed2 And why should
he steal from me, when all have is his ?
l cannot, will not, believe iti'
"SIay / come in2" asked bright,
pleasant face at the door, and 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 it with any idea Of rogue
ry, ingratitude and theft. His manner
toward the uncle, who had ever flied |
fathers place, was the perfection of re-
spectful affection, and btifore he had been |
an hour in the countinglroom, Mr.. Mark
hams uneasy fears were entirely gone.
They we're talking of a certain dark.
eyed little maiden, who was soon to be |
Mrs. Tryon, and when Fred left his uncle, |
it was with promise that he would call |
in the evening upon Miss GARRISON, to f.
nally arrange for the wedding day.
The young man, favorite of fortune,
spout the afternoon with his
betrothed. received his uncle in the eve |
ming, beside her, and accompanied the old |
gentleman to bis boarding house, received |
an aiiectionate farewell, when he took up |
bis way to his own rooms in another house. |
For week he heard nothing Of the rob
berry,
IL was just when summer twilight was
fading, that, returning from drive with
Maud Clarkson, Fred met his uncle's con
fdential clerk waiting for him at Mauds