The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-05-19
Miss lawson MCnIY.

CLARK, there's been robbery at 81
c., street, said my chief, one morning
June, 1872, as l entered the office. 81
want YOU to 20 there and see about 1t at
once. There's reward of $1,000 offered. ,
Of course lost time in starting for 81 q
-. street, which l found to be al un-
prctcntious. looking little cottage, standing
in the midst Of quite large and unculti
vated garden. l was shown into the par
lor, and a minute later was joined by a
short, stout, elderly lady, who introduced
herself as follows:
tAIr. Clarke, the detective, l presume.
am Miss Harriet Lawson, the owner OF
the house, and the person who sent for
you. Suppose we proceed to business at
once.'
l signifed that such was my desire, and
the old lady proceeded in her abrupt man
ner:
OF course you want to know all l can
tell you about the robbery. Well, it ls not
much that know-it's all a mystery to
nc. Yesterday afternoon drew the sum
of Six thousand dollars from the savings
bank. locked it up in my safe, and when
l went to get 1t this morning, for the pur-
pose Of paying a note which fell due to-day,
It was gone. That's all | know about
it,
what sort of safe have you got2' l
asked.
you can sec for YOURSELF replied the
lady. Step this way
followed her to an apartment on the
floor above.
That is my ROOM, she said, MS she
oponencd the door, 'and there is my safe
in the corner
1T has patent combination lock- I
- Hnn IL <>fx
Just so,' interposcd Miss Lawson, 'and
that's what puzzles me. Last night set
the lock at new combination, and l
slept ip that bcd, right in sight of these all
all night, with the key under my pillow.
am IL very light sleeper, and l don't see
how any one could have possibly removed
wakcnlng me-
Did any one beside yourself know the
combInalion7'
NO; but--wcll, l hate to confess I was
such fool-but the truth is, was afraid
might forget the combination, and so l
wrote it on slip of paper, which put in
my top bureau drawer
unfortunate. Well, Miss Lawson, who
lives in the house besides yourself? /
asked.
The old lady looked me steadily in the
eye.
Nobody in the house took the money.
l will not allow such an idea to enter my
head.
That is not an answer to my question,
Miss Lawson
MIR. Clark said the old lady, "but two
persons besides myself slept in the house
last night. They are my servant, Bar
bara, aid my companion, Miss Alice
Trafton. Neither OF them knows anything
Of the matter
Still would like to examine both,' l
persisted
Il will not allow il = exclaimed the old
lady, angrjly. Barbara Heath is an old,
trusted servant, whom l have had for
many years, and Alice Trafton is the
danghter of dear, deceased friend, has
been my companion for two years past, and
will DO my heiress. They arc both above
suspicion. l will not permit you to ques-
ton either of them
'Ihen, madame, throw up the case.
will bid you good morning.
'Stopl' she cried, as was leaving the
room, what do you mean3'
i must conduct the case In my own
way, or not at ALL
Miss Lawson reflected.
suppose you must nave your way,
she said, but do not let either of them
think they are suspected for moment. If
you will step down to the parlor l will call
them.'
Two minutes later Miss Alice Trafton
and the servant, barbara, stood in my pre-
sence. The former was without exception
The most beautiful girl had ever secn--a
blonde, with wealth Of shining, golden
hair, and a pair of glorious blue eyes that
sen! an electric thrill through my frame as
looked into them, Her companion was
ytall angular, miGdlc-aged woman, who
cared at me with manifest displcasurc.
oup first questioned the servant, who an
n0swcrcd my inquiries with great promptrcss.
~Shc heard no noise during the night, and
q know notlling Of the affair except what
Miss Lawson told her that morning. This
was hcr testimony. after hearing which
dismissed her, and turned my attention to
Miss Trafton, who seemed TO be laboring
under great embarrassment. Tho color
lcame and went on her beautiful face as
questioned her, and several times she
%emed on the point Of bursting into tears.
AEsently asked hcI:
oEou were in the house all night were
'oaNlot, Miss Trafton2'
FOR moments hesitation, she an.