The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-05-26
When he left the house

Have you searched the gardens IN
quired DIR. Lake, rather impatiently.
"Yes, sir1n replied the constable; "me
and the butler went round"
"Did you find any footsteps beneath |
the window through which the man es-
capped? I suppose you didn't think TO
look, he added sharply, seeing the con-
stable hesitated.
.sWell, sir, it wouldn't be much good.
not in the dark said the constable,
rather sulkily ST am coming round first
thing in the morning
"You have your lantern. Surely the
chance of obtaining an important clew
ought not to be neglected. It might rain
before the morning. Let us make g
careful search at once" said DIR. Lake in
an authoritative tone, leading the way to
the rear of the house.
The constable followed with an
aggrieved air, evidently resenting this
amateur interference, and his manner
was decidedly sinsolent as he pointed out
that the gravel path beneath the window
in question showed no footprints. DR..
Lake, however, not the least discon
certed, fell back step or two and looked
up at the house.
"After all, it is hardly likely that the
fellow would have dropped from that
height on to q hard gravel path, he
said, meditatively. HE must have
jumped sideways on to that bed yonder.
just bring your lantern here minute. ;"
This surmise turned out to be correct.
some shrubs were found to be trampled
down, and there was deep impression
OF foOtmarks, showing where the man
had jumped, with less distinct indication
OF his subsequent progress. He appeared
to have fallen into the midst of the
fowerbed and then to have run across the
lawn, though on the grass all traces of
him were lost, owing to the dryness OF
the ground.
THAT'S him clear enough, sir" re-
marked the policeman, more respect
fully.
'eWell, you must point this out to the
inspector in the morning." said DR..
Lake; meanwhile, we had better cover
up the marks, to prevent their being
obliterated by the rain or predatory
cat
'sThere seems to be box over there
by the out-house," said the policeman,
after turning the light of his lantern in
| various directions.
1.-The very thing. It will cover the
marks and %keep them intact till the
morning." said DIR. Lake stepping across
and fetching q shallow deal box which
! the constable referred to.
| This was carefully placed over the
| footprints and was found to protec
| them completely. DIR. Lake bade The
constable Goodnight" and hurried
home to bed, while the officer, with
virtuous feeling of having thorough.
done his duty, returned to his beat.
The next morning an inspector called
and inquired into the circumstances o
the robbery What seemed to strik,
him as extraordinary was that the THE
should have gone straight to Mis-
Grace's room and stolen q jewel whicl
she had only possessed few hours. FL
was strongly inclined to suspect some o
the servants, for they were the only
persons who would be likely to know Q
the young lady's new treasure, and the
she had it in her room that night. IL
GROSS questioned all of them, however
without eliciting anything to justify hi
suspicious, and, on the other hand ,ther
were the footprints in the garden, whic
clearly pointed to the robbery havin
| been committed by some person frou
L OUtSlQ6. MISS NTIdC0 COu10 tukOW VOL
little light on the mystery, having onl
seen the dim outline of the man, an
being unable to say whether he was tal
or short.
On hearing of the occurrence Mr.. an,
Mrs. Archoll Immediately returne
home, feeling nervous about remainin
away after what had taken place. In
spector Davis called upon Mr.. Archol
an hearing he had come back, and fron
his business-like manner was evidenti
on experienced officer.
"Have you any clew?" was naturall,
Mr.. Archoll's first inquiry.
"Well, this is an extraordinary case
SIR" said Inspector Davis, evasively. "I
rather beats my experience. Do yo1
! know a DR.. Lake, sir"
Eyes; there is q young surgeon of tina
name living few doors off, replied MI
Archoll, with some surprise.
ST think I should like you to cali upol
him with me, sir" said the inspector
rather mysteriously. II want to ask hin
question or two"
"Certainly," said Mr.. Archoll, risinl
from his seat. ''Let me see; didn't b
come in that night when the alarm wa
raised?"
Eyes, sir, believe he did," said th
inspector dryly.
Young DIR. Lake happened to be q
home, and received them in small
room, where he was sitting in ragge,
shooting coat and slippers, enjoying al
evening pipe.
"How do you do, Mr. Archoll2" b
said, cordially. did not know 20,
were back"
"I only arrived an he ur or two ago,
replied Mr.. Archoll. as they shoe
hands '"This is Inspector Davis. VIII
wishes to ask you question or two wit
reference to that affair at my house th
other night. Bythe-by, have to than
you for coming to the rescue"
"Don't mention it," said DR.. Lake
turning rather curiously toward the de
tective.
"You were soon up and dressed, sir,
remarked Inspector. Davis, seating hin
self stiffiy on the edge of chair in obed
ence to gesture from the doctor. 18th
butler tells me you came round immedl
ately."
Eyes. had not been to bed," re
| turned DIR. Lake AFTER returning frol
spending the evening at Mr.. Archoll
house, sat up smoking and reading"
ssYou no doubt noticed the youni
lady's necklace" said the inspector
glancing at Mr.. Archoll.
Particularly, and admired it yer
much" replied DR.. Lake, looking hil
straight in the face.
inspector Davis appeared trife dii