Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-06-01
Miss Lawsun's Money.

L want you to go there and see about it
at once. There's reward Of $1,000
offered
Of fcourse lost no time in starting Tor
"a c. street, which l found TO be an
uupretentious-l s-looking little cottage,
standing 10 the midst of q1ite large
aud uncultivated garden, Twas shown
into the parlor, and q minute later
was joined by short, stout, elderly
lady, who introduced herselfas follows:
Mr.. Clarke. the detective, presume.
am Miss Harriet Lawson, the owner
Of the house, and the person who sent
for you. Suppose we proceed 10 bust.
ness at once.'
l slgnifed that such was my desire,
and the old lady proceeded 10 her
abrupt manner:
of course you want to know all l can
ell you about the robbery: Well, it is
not much that know-ips all mys-
terry to me. Yesterday afternoon l
drew the sum Of six thousand dollars
from the savings bank locked 1t up
in my safe, and when l went toget it
this morning, for the purpose Of paying
a note which fell due to-day, il was
gone. That's all know about IT,
What sort ofa safe have you gotT [
asked.
You can see for YOURSELF replied
the lady. Step this way
| followed Der 10 an apartment On
the floor above.
That is my room.' she said, Ms she
openened the door, and there is my
safe in the corner
1T has a patent combination leck,' 1
said, 'and bears no marks Of violence
Just so,' interposed Miss Lawson,
'and that's what puzzles me. Last
night sent the lock at a new combs
nation, and I sleptin that bed, right in
sight of these all night. with the key
under my pillow. 1 am very light
sleeper, and ] dent see how any enc
could have possibly removed the key
and opened the safe without wakening
me-
Did any one beside yourselfknoW the
combination
No; but-well, nate to confess 1
was such fool-but the truth is, I was
afraid 1 might forget the combination,
and so 1 wrste it on slip of paper,
which put In my top bureau drawer
Unfortunate. Well, Miss Lawson,
who lives in the house besides yourself?'
1 asked.
The old lady looked steadily in my
eye.
Nobody in the house took the money.
1 will not allow such an idea to enter
my head.
That is not an answer TO my question
Miss lawson
Mr.. Clark said the old lady, but
two persons besides myself slept in the
house last night. They are my servant
Barbara, and my companion, Mss
Alice Trafton. Neither of them knows
anything Of the matter
Still 1 would like 10 examine both,'
1 persisted.
Il will not allow tip exclaimed the
old lady, aDgrily. Barbara Heath is
au old. trusted servant, whom 1 have
had for many years, and Alice Trafton
is the daughter Of dear, deceased
friend, has been my companion for two
years past, and will be my heiress.
They are both above suspicion. / will
not permit you to question either OF
them.'
Then, madame, 1 throw up the
case. l will bid you good morning
'Stopv she cried, as 1 was leaving
the room, what do you mean p
L must conduct the case in my own
may, or not at ALL.
Miss Lawson reflected.
Il suppose you must have 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 Traflon
and the servant, Barbara, steod in my
presence. The former was without ex-
ceplion the most beautiful girl l had
ever seen-a blonde, with q wealth of
shining. golden hair, and a pair OF
glorious blue eyes that sent an electric
thrill through my frame as l looked into
them. Her companion was tall
angular, middle aged woman, who
stared at me with manifest displeasure.
first questioned the servant, who
answered my inquiries with great prompt
ness. She heard no noise during the
night, and knew nothing Of the affair
except what Miss Lawson told her that
morning. This was her testimony,
after hearing which / dismissed her,
and turned my attention to Miss Traf
tor, who seemed to be labor1ng under
great embarrassment. The color came
and went eu her beautiful face as L
questioned her, and several times she
seemed on the point of bursting into
tears. Presently l asked her:
You were in the house all night,
were you not, Miss Traftonf'
After moments hesitation, she an
swered in an almost inaudible tone OF
voice:
i was not, sirp
Why, Alice, exclaimed Miss Law
soc s+ort;no a. har feet what do yOu