Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-06-16
THE GIRL DETECTIVE.

The door of Rufus Markham's counting room
was securely closed, and the proprietor of the
large, tlOurishing cotton factory talked earn
estly with a gentlemanly looking man of mid
die age, whose face was as impressive as a wax
mask.
Five thousand dollars r said the individual
sit was large sum TO leave exposed"
"Exposed m said Mr.. Markham. at was in
my private desk, to which no one has access
but myself and my nephew, Fred Tryon."
Would it be possible the young gentle
man y
"Sir," said Mr.. Markham. Indignantly, "my
nephew is not thief. If be needed ten times
that sum he knows l would give it freely to
him. He will be my heir, and is as dear to me
as 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 dollars ont
of bank yesterday, to meet note that was not
presented for payment. Retaining it until
after the bank was osed, concluded to lock
it in my desk until this morning, and did So
At nine o'clock this morning the expected note
was presented, and l opened the desk. The
money was gone, and with it a small memo
randum book that was in the same roll"
"The lock was not forced ?"
"No. sir the desk was apparently exactly
as I left it,"
"And Mr.. Tryon has the only duplicate
key?
The old gentleman frowned He was evil
IDENTIFY displeased at the turn the detective s
suspicious seemed to be taking.
"My nephew certainly has the only duplicate
key"
''Hm yes. You have tie numbers of the
notes p
dred-dollar notes."
The list of numbers being taken, the detec-
tive made q searching examination of the
apartment, and prepared to take his departure.
AS he stood near the door, Mr.. Markham sud-
denly said, nervously:
~ think, Mr.. Vogdes, if you make any dis
coveries, you had better report to me privately
before making any arrests
" Certainly, sir, if you desire it. Will you
grant me one favor? Do not mention the rob-
berry to Mr.. Tryon, if you have not done SO
already"
''No one has heard of it but yourself"
every good will call again when have
any report to make
"Fred Fred ~ the old gentleman said, in a
low tone. when he was alone; "Vogdes evil
IDENTIFY thinks it is Fred 1t cannot be 1t is
impossible that my nephew would rob me /
cannot believe it. And vet he knew the money
was there. He was here when l handed Arnold
the check, and here when he returned with the
money. He knew that Johnson's note was not
presented, and Fred alone has q 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
is his? cannot, l will not, believe it !"
"MayI come in?" asked a 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 wi h any
idea of roguery. iDgratitude and theft. His
manner toward the uncle, VINO had ever filled
fathers place, was the perfection of respect
full affection, and before he had been an houl
in the counting room, Mr.. Markhams uneasy
fears were entirely gone.
They were talking of certain dark-eyeG
little maiden. who was soon to be Mrs. Tryon
and when Fred left his uncle, it was with 8
promise that he would call in the evening upoI
Miss Clarkson, to finally arrange for the
wedding day.
The young man, favorite of fortune, appar
emily, spent the afternoon with his betrothed
received his uncle in the evening, beside her
and accompanied the old gentleman to hi
clearinghouse, received an affectionate fare
well, when he took up his way to his owl
rooms in another house. For week he hearc
nothing of the robbery.
1t was just when summer twilight was fad
ing, that, returning from drive with Maud
Clarkson, Fred met his uncles confidential
clerk waiting for him at Maud's house.
81 have a note for you, Mr.. Fred" he said
"and, as you were not at home, thought
would wait here for you"
Something in the mans face and name
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 Mauds terror was only increased whel
Fred, after reading the note, broke into furi
ous exclamation of rage.
"Who dares to say am midnight burglar?
he shouted.
"Oh, Fred what is it?" asked Maud, turn
ing very white
"My uncle has been robbed of five thousan
dollars, and he pays me the compliment O
supposing me the thief because have dup
cate key to his private desk. I-grea
heavens ~ he CRIED with sudden change i
Lis voice, che cannot mean it l rob M
uncle II"
Mr.. Fred" said the clerk, respectfully "
only waited to see how you took the note, I