The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-01-09

dence Of the Judge to find out II l was
myself.
We had hardly passed TO the sidewalk
when, fortunately, the Judge himself
came along.
Hello, Haynes! he cried, and then
glanced at the figure at my side.
| am about TO be arrested for break.
ing into my own house." i said, return.
Ing his salutation. The policeman had
suddenly dropped my arm n II 1t burn
ed him. The old Judge, who relished n
joke, burst into q outlaw of laughter
which brought the neighbors to their
windows
"By the way" said the Judge, when
he had recovered himself. you had bet.
ter keep your friend of che star In tow.
My wife spoke TO me about your house.
keeper this morning said she went
away in carriage, and took more bun.
dies than she brought when she came
here"
My heart beat almost audibly. Could
this gentle-browed, low-voiced woman,
Of whom l had thought in connection
with q diamond engagement ring, be
vile enough to deceive me, 70 despoii
meH The superstition was too dreadful.
81 counsel you 70 attempt another
raid" he added. Perhaps Johnny
here will give you q b,ost;" and he
laughed again. ut may be all the
purest conjecture on my wife's part, you
know. Ladies are ap: to be suspicious
about hOusekeepers. Hal hal ha!
IL might be all q mistakel 1t was a
N, isf q Ia I rapo.tal .lpnn.t fur;auslx, a.,
myself. Mrs. George, that quiet-moving,
perfectly lsdy.like person-Mrs. George,
whose lightest step had sometimes set
my pulses futtering; of whom ] had
dreamed dare not say how often, whose
superb eyes, swan-like throat anu stately
appearance i had admired untold-of
times-she TO descend 10 any little petty
meanness-t0 house.lifting!
entered the domicile at the back
window, bidding the policeman be with
in call. The first thing / saw in the
basement passage was the dead body Of
poor little Jip, my pet terrier. He had
evidently been poisoned. / walked
through the lower rooms. A costly
bronze clock and three expensive vases
were gone from the parlor shelf; also a
very beautiful little group in terra Gotta
for which j had given an extravagant
price. On closer examination i saw
that the edges of my new carpets were
loose. They had certainly been tackled
down before.
opened the door into the front hall,
which literally swarmed with packages.
They stood on the chairs on the hat
rack, on the table-everywhere. Not
caring 10 examine these evidences of
dishonesty, went up stairs TO the
second story. There, on toilet table,
lay neatly folded note, of which the
following is transcript:
"DKAR MAT-I have carried everything
that could be conveniently carried-the
clothes, the silver, the books and as many
light articles as possible. ! think yor
might easily take the carpets IL you are ex.
pedicious and can ely upon your men. The
old gentleman Il bit my tongue) Won't be
home until noon tomorrow. / have circu.
lated report that he intends to dispose Of
some OF his furniture, consequently you
Nigh fill u couple OF large vans. The
money ! have In my possession. ! con.
trived TO loosen the carpets at the edges,
but could not move the heavy furniture.
You can fold the first and your men can
carry out the latter. / hope you have fol.
lowed out my directions as 10 dress; the
neighbors will take you for Mr.. Haynes. IL
IL had not been for you, Mat, ! would not
have let hiIn maze love to me. i could
twist him roand my finger.
cater you are through shall be at the
place designated. The servants are in my
pay, and have sent them Of. You cannot
tell how patiently have looked forward to
the completion OF this little scheme. Ny
dear Mat, IL We get olive shall get Of
We are made for life.
sand now, my darling, farewell for
short time. wish ! could have seen you,
but this letter must suffice. Destroy IL at
once"
So she could twist me round her an
ger, could sheH The truth in this bold
assertion made me vince; felt fool
down TO my finger ends.
The Star joined me at a signal, and we
went up stairs together.
ats the most outdscious thing ever
heard tell Oft" he exclaimed. ave will
wait up here and see the play out. I'll
bow the shutters and there'll be some
fun before long. Have you got any
shooting irohsf"
! went 70 my room and returned with
two reviewers.
"That is good" he exclaimed, his
stolid face lighting up; "now we are
prepared for them. It will be a pretty
case. suppose you suspect the house
keeper%
had kept the contents Of the letter
TO myself, merely giving him hint or
two; but 1 felt my blood boil ut the
mention Of Mrs Georpe
"Yes, of course ! suspect the house.
keeper. She turned off my old servants
and brought two of her own creatures
here. Nobody knows how much they
have carried off,"
"It's resky business" muttered the
Star, with q shIewd glance. "Men amt
never safe with women folks unless the
ladies are in the firm, by Jove! Rsyther
nice looking~ and the fellow winked
vulgsrly.
"No; ugly a. the deucel" was my half
savage reply. 1t would never do TO let
this man know how have been csjoled
by an srtful interloper.
"Here's our game" whispered the
policeman, rs q stylish carriage drove up
TO the door.
looked down. The make, up Of the
thief was complete. A casual acquaint-
ance would have sworn that it was me.
The fellow sat gracefully back in the
carriage, waited till the coschman opened
the door, and stood there Q moment on
the sidewalk, looking carelessly around.
"Sure, it's q perfect duplicate; but
he'll send the carriage of presently. It's
inspecting he'll be about for time, and
then q different kind Of carriage III be
waiting"
Sure enough, this stylish equipsge was
driven of. and the man, with the very
trick of my own step, lounged coolly up
10 the door. the red-lined cape of his
cloak iauntily displayed. Since that day
have discarded red lining.
The door opened, aud the fellow want
prnwling over the lower rooms. In q
few moments he was joined by two other
men, whom he let In by the back base
ment door.
"We'n contrive to intercept them"
whispered the policeman. You just
stand here with your two pistols. and
I'll find my way down, 30 rs TO surprise
them. II they show fight, fire."
He crept down stairs. / waited,
trembling Q little, but resolute. The
men tramped about for awhile and said
something about Q dray around the
corner. Presently they gathered in the
parlor and began TO take up the carpet,
thinking, no doubt, they were working
for Mr.. Robert Haynes. Then the Stal
posted himself ut the back door, and
called me down by sign.
II was quick work. The poor fellow
turned pale-iobbers-when they saw