The Society news. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-18??, 1883-10-13

have had him in my service since he was a
youth OF eightet NJ"
81 do not suspect him, my lord. 0. "
because he has been longest in yonr service,
should like him with me-"
Very well, / will send for him"
This was very soon done and was ush-
cred by the valet into the 10 dshp's dressing
room and bedroom-handsom enough,
heaven knows. But there was no trace Of
anything to be found there so | went down
10 the pantry and examined that.
Here came my first puzzle. saw some
thing wrong In a moment but took great
care that James did not see it.
THAT glass;" | said s'has been cut
from the inside Pm sure. Don't you see
that the cuts are not straight They slant
outward"
looked at James and from that moment
l ielt convinced that he was the thief
Tor his under lip tremblcd-a sure sign of
thief.
However, he remarked about the glass
having been smashed, attempting to explain
It away, and pretended to believe him, al
though knew that glass cut in that man
ner must have been removed by some
gummy stuff, turned sideways, and then
pulled into the house and smashed on the
doormat. Examination of the pieces proved
l was correct.
Now to examine the ground" said.
He was about to step out on the soft
ground but pulled him back, saying:
"Stay moment. want to look for the
footprints. If you go there l shall find
yours"
Again that trembling of the lin, and a
paleness came over his face.
What do you mean, sergeant" he de-
manded.
"Oh, nothing, only must have no one
pass over this ground until have examined
1t. That is all / say. There is not foot
mark here! That is rather strange"
very" he exclaimed; and I again
noticed the trembling of his lips. Suddenly
he cried out, "perhaps you are right, SER
geant. He did not come in this way. He
came in some other way and escaped this
way. That will account for the glass being
cut from the inside"
"By Jove A good idea He crawled
through the window and leaped down upon
the grass plot"
EXACTLY, exactly /" he cried eagerly.
'Yes, he might have done that, but where
are the marks of his fall2 If he fell flat on
his side he would make pretty good dent,
for the earth Is soft after the rain. If he
Was lucky enough to come on his feet, his
heels would plunge in the earth good
depth. No, we must look for the solution
somewhere else."
had now made up my mind about the
matter, but permitted him to show me all
over the house, and lay out the most marye-
lous theories, all of which not only listened
to but appeared to be overcome with sur
prise at their acuteness. Then | asked again
to be shown into the library.
His lordship and the colonel were boLh
there waiting anxiously for my return.
swell 2" they both cried, as entered the
room.
"Hush WaitW replied, as closed and
locked the door, Their approaching them,
l said In low tone, 81 know the thief"
"You do ~ cried the colonel. s'Then
give the knave in charge this moment. Take
him up"
'Stay moment, colonel, stay moment.
II his lordship likes to give him In charge,
I'll take him. But II l have made mis-
take, will not be answcrable for the action
for false imprisonment, loss of character,
etc."
"What do you mean, sergeant'" cried
Lord Lorimer.
/ told him as briefly as l could the result
of my examination, and the danger of ar
resting an innocent person on such charge.
He listened patiently and then asked my
advice.
"I'll tell you my lord, what should do"
replied. II should call your valet into
this room and tell him that 7, Sergeant Fox,
of the---diyision, had made careful exami-
nation of the case, and had grave suspicious
that he was the guilty party. His lordship
was to have his wages raady-those for legal
warning as well-to hand them over to him
and order him to quit the house as soon as
possible"
This was done.
NUo T,n fol bat
He protested his innocence; turned virtuous
indignation upon me, denounced me as one
OF those policemen who would get man
hanged to advance themselves 10 the force,
and so on.
| listened unmoved. He had his turn
| then; | knew should have my turn soon.
swell, sergeant" inquired both of the
gentlemen when lie left the room, ''what do
you think now"
81 still think he is the thief"
"Good heavens !" cried the colonel, "Why
| do sou not search his boxes, then ~
Because, colonel, should not find them
there. Our friend is too cute for that. Not
he. And, as | said before, 10 accuse an
| innocent person Of such crime is rather
| too risky to suit me. Now, gentleman,
have two constables, who will be stationed
at the corner of Mount street. ehal 60
and join them, and keep watch of this house.
| Yoy get the fFllqw turned out as soon as
| you can, and leave The pest for me to look
after. That is all gentlemen, and | wish
| you good morning"
left the house and joined the uniformed
men-I, of course, was on plain clothes duty
land gave them my directions how to
watch while ] strollcd up and down, smok-
ing cigar.
In quarter of an hour the rain, which
had been threatening, came down in showers.
1t most certainly threw damper on my
spirits. In a very little while l was wet
| through, but l could not move from my
post.
Presently I saw the Goionel come out,
and very well he acted his part, appearing
not to know us until he had come round
the corner and then he told me that James
had requfs ted his lordship, to give him
time to Pack his boxes, and