The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-09-08
A COOL HAND.
Exchange

Exchange
 The story am about to relate Is a very simple one, but l, IS type of a particular class, and will show how little we deiec- tives have 10 go on, and from what slight evidence we sometimes have 10 act. With this shor, prelude will begin my story.
 One morning the chief called me into his office, and 1 saw at once by the look of his face that he was somewhat troubled
 Fox" he said, here is very nasty piece of business on hand. You know Viscount Lorimer "-U need not say the names given here are false ones) M. P. for -, and in the ministry 7"
 '' Yes l should think l did. One of the incest fellows that ever lived," said I.
 Well, there has been a most daring robbery committed at his house at Park lane: and from what can make out from his lordship's hurried letter, and his salet's statement-he sent the note by the valet-the whole affair seems wrapped in the greatest mystery
 That is just the case l like re- piled.
 .Ah, though, so,' said he, with a laugh. "l only hope you are not too confident. His being so high up in power might make il rather awkward If it became public and we did not ind it out Those newspaper fellows like to ge, hold of thing like that-it IS capital to theni.o
 We all have our little faults" I laughed. and think, as a rule, that they are very good fellows
 That may be. But you had better be of al once for. from his lordship's note should guess that the matter is serious
 said no more, but jumped in cab and dashed of to Park lane, and was in- stantly shown into the library, where l found his lordship engaged in earnest conversation with the brother of Lady Lorimer, the viscounts wife.
 " am glad you have come, Sergeant Fox. You have heard of my loss P
 Il have heard that your lordship has had loss but how you came by it l have not heard"
 The amount t"-he began, when stopped him, a, the same time drawing out my note book.
 Wat moment. my lord. Now. just let us go through this matter in the regular form. In the first place, should like you to tell me what you know of this matter. l ask you to pardon me, my lord, but the fact is that have to discover the thief and recover the property, and therefore must think more of means than manners
 By love, the fellow says truly~ cried the colonel. Come, George, tell him all about it."
 You must know, sergeant, that last night the - bill came betore the house, and owing to the absence of some of our party had to take long and un- expected part in it. On returning home this morning was throughly exhausted, drank some light claret, and went to bed"
 Your valet :' inquired.
 dispatched as soon as l possibly could, giving him orders not to wake me, or even 10 enter my dressing-room, in case he should disturb me, until rang my bell. This he punc,ually carried out, for waking earlier than thought should afer so long debate, and being glorious over my partys triumph, wrapping my self in my dressing-gown, leaped out of bed and hurried into my dressing room where began to write some letters which were of great importance. While doing this noticed that the things in my dressing-room were in the same state of confusion in which l had left them. know l am somewhat eccentric, but the slightest noise wakens me. Hence my having ordered James to leave them where threw them"
 a oxa. .,o,, ,,,, ios.l Well, the letters finished, rang for James. He came with the usual ehoco- late, and so forth. sent him down with the letters for foo,man to post. While he was away had occasion to go to my trousers pocket for something. My purse was there, but empty"
 Humph! Was there much in it?'
 About seven or eight pounds, some silver and two five pound-notes. No more.n
 And is that all you have missed." I inquired. "Of course it is a hard and dangerous thing for any gentleman to have dishonest person about him but the loss of that sum is so little to your lordship, that"
 But it is not the loss of that sum. The keys of my private safe had been removed. Hastily dressing myself. 1 hurried to the library and examined the safe. The key was in it, and on search ing, found that coupons and papers oi great value had been stolen. One-a letter, which by accident, brought home from the-ofice--was most important. It must be kept private at any cost"
 Come, come, my lord; do not speak so loudly-there may be listeners said l. Was anything else gone!"
 Not thing"
 '.The family plate-,hat on the side board your jewel case, and her lady eh;n,e Ss