The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-12-13
The Thief in the Night.

She was a slender, graceful young woman,
with pretty face and great baby blue eyes,
at once shy and enticng.
Detective Carol thought he had never
beheld any one so charming. With her
pure, dainty face and shining gray draper
les, she seemed To bring glimpse ofheaven
into the dingy Office, where he sat waiting
alone.
"What can I do for you, madam ?" he
said, rising and approaching her with Il
beating heart.
She looked at him searchingly moment.
"You are private detective" she said,
in the soitest and sweetest voice he had ever
heard.
"Yes, madam"
81 wish to secure your services"
"What is the case?"
"Robbery, she auswerci, a slight st-,d-
der passing through her frame. "The facts
can be rehearsed in very few words. re-
side with my uncle, William Evans, in
Blocker street. He is a wealthy man, and
always keeps considerable money in the
house. His safe was purchased in France,
and is of peculiar construction. Instead of
being opened with a key, it is provided with
seven movesble buttons, each of which rep
resents letter of the alphabet. These can
be made to spell various words, and in or
der to open the safe one must know before
hand the particular word that had been
used in closing it,"
"She paused moment, and drew long,
sobbing breath.
go on" said the detective almost impa-
tiently.
"There is onl. z. a word to add. Despite all
these precautions, the safe has been opened
three nights in succession, and quite a sum
of money withdrawn on each occasion.
"One of the servants, perhaps"
"They are above Suspicion" she inter
rupted, quickly. Eve keep but two they
have been in the family for years. Besides
my uncle never intrustcd them with the Sc.
cret of the combination. 1t seems impos.
sible that they could have discovered il fol
themselves"
"To whom has 1t ever been revealed ?"
A slight flush rose 10 the lady's face.
"Until these theits occurred, felt positive
twas known only to my uncle and myself
"Then he speaks freely of it to you ?"
ooh, yes"
Her agitation seemed TO increase.
Suddenly she wrung her hands and cried
81 must confess the humiliating truth
sir. came here with no other intention
My uncle accuses me of being the theft"
"You" Mr.. Carol echoed, with a start.
"Yes," she answered, a quick sob break
ing from her lips. "He declares it eoulC
be no one else, under the circumstances, III
is anxious and worried, and that makes hin
bitterly unjust. | have come to you with
out hls knowledge. The mystery must an,
shall be investigated. am innocent, anc
cannot rest until proven So. Will you un
dertake the case?"
"Certainly."
The answer came with ulacrity.
Detective Carol had been touched by hi
visitors beauty and distress so much s.
that he would have gone through FIRE an,
water to serve her.
She wished the investigation begun a
once; and after moments reflection th
detective decided to accompany her hom
and take the bearings Of the place,
1t proved to be-a substantial brick house
handsomely furnished. An elderly woman
servant, with pleasant, honest face, open
ed the door.
"Is my uncle within, Martha ?" the youn
lady inquired,
E" Yes, Miss Valeria." came the answe,
"You will find him in the library"
She at once led the way to the apartmen
in question.
1t was large, lofty room, in one corne
of which stood the safe that had been refer
red to. A harsh-looking old man arose fron
his easy chair at the windcw.
"whom have you there, Valeria ?" h
asked, shading his eyes with one hand.
The grl carefully closed the door thel
advanced to meet him.
"A detective officer" she replied, an ex
preston of determination on her face. "Yo
accused me of having robbed you, uncl,
and brought this man here that the mat
Ter might be thoroughly investigated"
He famed up like volcano.
"You did I" he exclaimed, ''Well,
meant TO spare you, child. Ishould neve
have mentioned my lossss outside this housl