The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-07-14

burglar had been just little too anxious
to prove her innocence of completely in
the crime?
Two or three points which 1 had made
out did not care to publish just then,
but fixed them in my own mind for future
use.
First, the thief was man of short
stature; for in putting match to gas
jet over the bureau it had been found
burning in the morning-he had stepped
upon a stool. The position of the latter
demonstrated this fact.
Second, he had supple and ingenious
fingers. as witness the deft slip knots in
the interlacing cords which had bound
Madalena.
Third, if Mrs. Jacobs pink silk hand
kerchief had not been in close juxtaposi-
ton with very good cigar long enough
to imbibe its fragrant aroma, my nose
very much deceived me.
Fourth, if the fellow were really try
ing to avert suspicion from Madalena he
was an artist in his way; for he had not
only drawn the cords so tight as almost
to cut into the flesh. but he had torn her
ears in taking out their cheap ornaments.
The girl herself seemed simple and
she might he Il pliable tool.
I took look at Mr.. Carl Braun dur
ing the day. He was q drug clerk-a
slender, dapper little fellow, with smooth,
light hair, plastered very close above his
forehead.
Carl" said another clerk, passing as
he did up the five cents worth of chic
ride I called for, do you know that it's
a quarter OF three?'
$50 it is said Carl, slipping knot
along the string, and nipping it hastily.
threw down quarter, and he called
to the other one to make the change.
picked up bag of specie, and started
out of the store to go to the bank.
I followed, thinking there might be
chance to speak to him outside, and in
that way came to see that after doing his
regular business for his employer he
made three hundred dollar deposit of
his own.
He flushed all over when he looked up
from putting the certificate in his pocket
book to see me standing there.
"Mr Thompson" said he II didn't
suppose he knew me before), "Id like to
see you tonight, after working hours"
"All right" said I, and took his adj
dress.
1t was half-past eight when he came
home to his lodgings. l knew, before
he told me, that he hao been to the Cen
tral Station to see Madalena, for had
kept one eye on the gentleman, not know
ing how far AN evil conscience might be
troubling him, nor but that he might try
to skip of without notice.
Mr.. Gale has put in suit against
Madalena for that money" said he. IF
he get back his three hundred dollars
they won't any of them appear against
her. It's shame to swindle poor fell
low like me in that way, but what else
can I do?'
"You intend to pay it, do you?"
"Of course" and he gave me look
which. as Dick Swiveller would say, was
a staggerer. You don't think that she
had anything to do with it, sir? At least,
I know better
Then he went DIRECTLY to the point. He
wanted me to see if Mr.. Gale couldn't be
persuaded to make easier terms.
"But if he WON'T" said Carl, 1--WE got
the three hundred dollars, and I'll pay it
sooner than have Lena shut up in that
cell another night did think we could
set up housekeeping on it, and that's
VIII makes it hard"
"Your savings?" / asked.
"No," and lie turned red again as he
gave his account of how he came by the
money.
A German friend of his, runner for
Cincinnati house, had come to the city
two weeks before, and between them
they had bought ticket in lottery
which drew Il six-hundred-dollar prize.
His friend had paid over the half Of it to
him, the last thing before he left the city,
now four days ago.
"How does it come that you never
banked it until to-day ?"
"You see, 1 wanted to show it to Mad
alena. Mrs. Jacobs is particular about
followers, and this would have been her
evening out"
"Oh!" said I. "And how is it that
you smoke such good cigars, Mr.. Carl ?"
The end of prime Havana was stick
ing out of his vest pocket.
81 DON'T" said he. "It's-it's one that
was given me. Have it, won't you?'
Ideclined. To have taken that cigar
then would have seemed very much like
eating OF a man S salt and then betraying
him.
When made my report to the chief,
next morning, he fixed me with that
stern eye OF hist always seemed to me
that if were an offender against Justice