The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-07-19

the Office, and in the moment of waking
1t flashed upon me that had left the du-
plica:e key Of my safe hanging on its &C.
custOMed nail over the fire. place in my
Office. In the excitement of the day had
forgotten about its existence.
l rose at once, although it was barely
four O'Clock, and walked down to my Of.
flee at top speed. There everything
seemed quiet and tranquil; the windows,
grim and dusty looking, blinked down
upon me in reassuring way. After all,
my scare was uncalled for. There was
hardly the remOtest chance in the world
of thieves getting into the place, and If
they did, would they he likely to find the
duplicate key! There was no use in
alarming the neighborhood by trying to
wake up the housekecper. would wait
until six O'Clock. and the world was astir
again, and then 60 and secure the dupli.
cate key. walked about the deserted
town, refreshed myself at an carly break
fast stall, and then, a. the streets were
filling with operatives hurrying to work,
I presented myself at the door of tho build
ing that held my Office. The hOu ckecper
nodded at me amicably. No cast,strc-
phe had happened in the nj yht evidently.
l ran up stairs three steps at a time,
dartcd into my Office, and-casting d
glance around to assure myself that every
thing was in statu quo-lookcd toward
the fireplace for the key. II was hanging
in its accustomed place. With feeling
of joyous self .congratulation, that no i'll
effects had followed my carelessncss, Ipro.
ceeded in a leisurely way to open my
safe, to as sure myself OF the safety of the
deposit. Judge Of my horror and dismay
when found that the notes were gore
clean gone.
CHAPTER 1.-THE DEAD LETTER.
To the first stupefaction OF despair at
the loss of my unclc's money followed an
eager desire to be doing something.
must go to the police Office ut once; the
notes must be stopped-I had taken the
numbcrs-where was the list? In my
portfolio; that, too, I had placed in the
safe; that. also, was gone. Nothing else
was touched the loose silver kept there
was intact.
Here was blow that almost ovsrpOw-
cred me. In addition to the loss of money,
loss of reputation would follow. What a
pretty sort of tale I should have to tell, of
a robbery in which the thieves had not left
the slightest trace of their operations,
where the objects stolen were notes of
which had retained none of the
particulars. Those who knew me best
might believe me, but certainly no one
else would. Ten thousand pounds alb
stracted fronl an unlocked safe, the num-
beers not known, and no signs whatever of
any unauthorized person having entered
the premises! Should I believe such q
story told of any third person:
One opening for hope occurred to me-
1t was possible that Bob Hargreaves had
kept the numbers Of the notes he handed
over to me. Howbent was only six miles
away; might he there and back before
the hours Of business commenced, in am
pie time, too, to telegraph the numbers to
the leading banks. After some difficulty
l found a cab, and started to drive there.
A miserable anxious drive it was.
Bob lived in rough little stone cottage
in the outskirts of the village of How
bent. Early as it was, he was already
astir; l could sec him through the win
dow, cross-legged on his board, busily at
work, ctitching away at c0wskin waist
coat; even in the overp0wering anxiety of
the moment, could not help feeling of
wonder at his employment, the rest of his
apparel stood 80 much more in need Of
his labor. The ground was too soft to
give warning OF my approach, but my
shadow falling across the window made
him look up suddenly. Catching my eye,
deadly pallor came over his face, the
corners of his mouth began to witch,
he jumped of his board and came
to the door. Bob stood in the
doorway. regarding me with an
air VI covert mistrust; then his
eyes glanced eagerly around as if he
doubted whether were not accompanied.
Seeing only the empty cab and its driver
waiting in the road hundred yards off,
he recovered his elf-possession and in
CURED my business. I asked him, eagerly
ii he had kept the numbers Of the notes hi
had paid me on the previous day. Why
what's amiss; haven't your" parried
Robert, with instructive caution. Some
thing 1t this moment prompted me t
equal caution. 1t struck me that Rar
greaves would be more ready to give in
formation if he thought that was already
possessed of it. "Oh, I have the mum
bers,' replied, but I thought I shoult
like to compare my list with yours.
What, you've gotten . list theni" criet
Robert, !" Then what do you want more p
The notes have been stolen," said, AMI
l l4G4 i WO0t O4 " 0C0CA4VC t00 CuCUU0
stances of the robbery. Robert listene,
with . sarcastic, incredu)ous smile thu
was very provoking, especially = fel
was that which the whole world woul'
he said, Ego home and frame . likelie
tale than that; Same time. If your uncle
in with ye, I'm not one to spoil spor!
/ In al ,nS,s> 9th. H<,<,1
thy case with the numbers in it, how yol
come 70 know 'em n0w3" ! replied
scarcely noticing the insinuation, or broal
assertion rather, contained in Robert
speech; was too broken. spirited. "Bu
must compare them with yours. oh
do give me the numbers Mr.. Hargreaves,'
MAY, I've gotten NO numbers,'' he re
piled, sulle1ly; "what'd be the use q
Numbers to me? I'd work enough /
gather 'em together, bit by bit and one b
one, without bothering about numbers
I'm no scholar, either, for that matter"
With that he slammed the door in m
,face, apd went back to his board, but
Esaw no sign Of the cowskin waistcoat, q
I passed his window, detected and cres
fallen. Bob was sitting with his needI
In his hand, gazing ii It's point in q kin
of cullen reverie. In him was the la
4 CLEAN Or hone possessed, and soul
mot give It up without another trial. "I'l
sure you could tell me something abos
them, Mr.. Hargreaves," I cried to hil
through the window, where you got thel
from, some Of them"
~ tell thee what," said Bob from hi
board, swear my Bible oath ! kno'
Insught ners about ny notes, 20 go th
w.ys."
/ There was nothing to Be gained BY was
ing more time over Robert, and l drov
away homeward, still more wretched tia
before. BY the time we reached Niddl,
ton busine6s had commenced q my u
J eas's wasshoass, and, alwavs early 4 b