The Indiana State sentinel., 1879-04-30
THE WOUNDED HAND.

addressed me Win an lnVlL&tlOu 10 uHueI-
take the unraveling of a mystery which had
bdffied the local police at t. I consented,
and departed for the scene of the crime
which had been committed, much limited,
however, as to t. time was allowed for
spending on the case.
Two hundred and ffty-five thousand
marks had been stolen from the widow of q
Weli-connected man named Friedow. Her
villa stood outside the gates of a small town
and the lost property consisted chiefly IN
coupons and such value, together with lit
tie com. Her habit was to keep all papers
of Importance, as well as money, IN a chest
of drawers beside her bed. Her sleeping
room was situated On the first floor, and had
but one window, which looked out upon the
yard. Her confidential friends had often ad-
Vised Frau FrIedlow to keep her gold, al
least, IN some safer place, but she had al
ways resisted such counsel, and put no faith
in banks or bankers. As to safe! she had
averred that if robbers did ever molest her,
unless her trusty dog and her faithful Fred
erick, the only male person upon her little
property, could protect her, an iron box
would avail little beyond, perhaps, delaying
the thieves in laying hold of what they
wanted.
On the night OF the 7th of May the poor
lady was suddenly awakened about II
o'clock Her room was illuminated. Be-
fore her bed stood small, thin man, with q
lantern in his left hand and hatchet in his
right.
In q rough, disguised voice he threatened
to knock out her brains il she so much as
ventured to utter sound. The unfortunate
frau was already voieeless from alarm. This
speech could scarcely make her more quiet,
but she could use her eyes. and did SO for
the next few seconds while her visitors re-
manned with her. She saw that the speaker
wore black hose, a blue blouse, and mask;
and that two more men were busy in the
background, breaking open her chest OF
drawers. In the fatheest back division, COW
cred by stockings, yarn and flax, lay a
round tin case, in which she kept her nova
BILE treasures. She was Just recovering her
self sufficiently to begin thinking about
risking her life by calling for help, when
the smothered yelling of q dog was heard
without. The thieves had found what they
wanted, and sprang with it to the window,
one sash of which was open. They threw
themselves upon ladder without, and de-
scended to the ground, while the third man
still kept guard beside the bed. Frau Frie-
dow cried "Help!' "Help!" with all her
might.
now," he muttered, turning away, and fol
lowing the others from the room.
Frederick appeared at this instant, having
been awakened by the noise. He found the
ladder still in its place, and below, was just
in time to cave the life of the bouse-dog,
which had been almost choked by cord
twisted round his neck, fastening him to his
kennel. The anservant reused up the
neighbors, but all pursuit, then or later, by
friends privately or by the police publicly,
had been in vain.
This was how the matter stood when 1 ar
rived at T.. When had privately com
mun1cated with the magistrates, my second
visit was naturally paid to Frau Friedow.
sought everywhere for any special indica
tions which might put me on the right track
but what found was very little. conclu.
ded that the robbery had been accomplished
by persons we'll acquainted with the local
ity, as the entrance to the premises had
been made by a small door in the yard, oi
the very existence of which many of the
neighbors were unaware. The ladder made
use of had been dragged out of nook in
which it had long lain concealed. A pane
of glass had been smashed in the window oil
the bedroom to enable one of the assailant.
to slip back the bolt. A few footprints had
been traced, but they had been lost at oncs
upon the high road or street upon which the
little courtyard opened.
One thing seemed alone certain; tht
housebreakers must be sought from anon;
neighbors, servants, friends or relations
Now. the neighbor theory, upon investiga
ton, seemed utterly futile, and one glanc'
at Frederick was enough to make one dis
miss all thoughts connected with the secon(
term in the Inst. There remained the friend
and relations in the habit of visiting at tn,
picion of foul play in any of these; never
theless made her describe and closely par
ticularize them all to me. / took up half
dozen imaginary scents; ran hither ant
thither. telegraphed in various directions
worked. in tact, In the sweat of my brow
but, alasl the result was simply nothing
nothing, nothing. 1 never had been SO ui
terly puzzled and hopelessly at fault.
On the fourth day of my residence at T.
went again TO the villa. where the wido,
greeted me with eyes full of expectation.
Frau Friedow," said, SIT seems to m
hardly possible that you are utterly withou
suspicion in every quarter. There mus
surely be some one or other of whom you
mind has fixed. if it were but for second
Confess it is SO, and confide in me-"
II assure You l have not even shadow
thought such as you describe" she replied
in a much disappointed tome
"And has nothing more struck you a5ou
those men you saw in your room than yo
have already mentioned? One remember
things on due consideration which hav
been often overlooked before Did 20
notice no peculianty about any of th
scoundrels- the voice, for instance, th
way of standing, the hands of HIM who hel
the ax7 Had he on ring? Did he loo
rough like the others?"
There was one thing may not hav
told before" she replied slowly. 1T Wa
scarce worth telling. When the two fe
lows ran of down the ladder with my littl
case, the window slapped down as they di.
appeared. The third man pushed 1t u
again to 60 after them, but in 30 doing
think he must have put his hand throug
the broken pane, and have hnrt 1t with th
glass, IN his haste. certainly heard hi
nlutter to himself as II he were in distress
"Was there no trace of blood left?'
asked anxiously.
"None whatever"
began my investigation anew, aud th
time with the doctor of the district "
got into a lively dissertation upon wounde
hands, and particularly upon hurts infiicte
by glass. By degrees l acquired the, to M
very interesting fact that some three weei
since, when the medico was riding home
breakfast after an early call. . strange ma
had suddenly appeared In the middle of th
highway, and had implored help. He con
ken glass, and held out his right hand |
exhibit lfs condition. The doctor took OF
his pocket CO Of instruments and extrac