, 1884-03-16

B~obbington."
II suppose they're ali right" remarked my
inquisitor, doubtfully. 4Are you sure there
are no moreP'
There's my mother-in law, but she's in her
own room, and exceedly uuwell."
very good" observed the detective incon.
sequentially. There's a plant somewhere IN
this house, however; you may take your
oath on that, and in the last place where you
would ever look for 1t; so now 1 must see tho
maids"
l was full Of suspicious that the detective
himself was a plant" that would presently
blossom into a burglar; but my overtaxed
mind refused to bear this burden. II it was
so, / would trust to his clemency to leave me
a silver fork or two to carry on the business
OF life. II this man turned out to be any
thing less than what he described himself to
be, all authority would heuceforth lose its
effect with me. He had to repeat, $50 nav
must see the maids, =" in his undeniable man
ner, before I could collect myself sufficiently
to lead the way to the kitchen. TO say the cook
and the kitchen maid stared at tho pLenom-
ena OF our presence, is to underrate their
powers Of vision.
Now, l t are say you have no charwoman
nor any temporary assistant, my good lady,
even on an occasion like the present, y OBJ
served my companion urbanely; shut you
and this young woman do all the work your
selves"
That's true, sir; we don't mind hard work
now and then" returned the cook, tossing
her head; "and besides, l don't like strang rs
in my kitchen" added she, with meaning.
Especially when Pm busy, aud wodll rather
have their room than their company"
| could have given that woman dvs shli-
ings upon the spot for that rapid discharge
of words Til detectives tongue was 81
fenced by my domestic ne~edle-gun, and he
retired much discounted.
Nov, IL | had been an ordinary policeman,
and in uniform whispered he to me, as we
reached the hall again, Al coull have come
over that cook in no time"
Without reJnarking upon this confession of
defeat, | led the way to the nursery. He
walked admiringly from cot tocot, as thoash
he were a connoisseur in babies.
Charming children, and wei taken care
of, | can see" observed he, with a familiar
nod Il thoughU toward the I'm ler-nurse.
ats neither of them" he added in II low
whisper. you have got a houseinaiI or two,
1 supposefn
The housemaids were inspected, and pro-
nounced to be free from suspicion. "BIt /
cannot have seen everybody" he said, de-
cisively.
yes said l, everybody except MIS-. Ma
queechy."
Friend of the familyT' inquired the de.
t~ective, with a disappointed air.
WELL said l, Il might almost say 30. She
came to us not only with the best OF writt.n
characters, but my wife had an interview
with her late mistress, a Mrs. Ogilvie, who
pronounced her u perfect treasure; ami We
ourselves have found her all that could be
wished"
II should like to see the perfect treasure F."
quoth the detective, smiling grizzly; ave
nftan find than tn hn tho Uts-N na.,,.I. 49,.
want"
may" said I, @but in this ease your sus-
PIGEONS are quite groundless; Mrs. Maquee-
chy is a superior person, and takes an in
terest in us which you seldom fihl in a do
nestle except after years of service. Besides,
she is my mother-in-law's sick nurs,, u Il
most likely they nave already made their
arrangements for the night. 1t would DO u
pity to disturb them"
III must see Mrs. Maqueechy, - returned
my companion, gravely. "She seems alto
gether too charming to be missed"
"You detectives are clever fellows" replied
l with irritation; "but you often spend your
time very fruitlessly. 1t is q pity that n
man can't be determined and yet avoid being
obstinate. However, since you have gone so
far, you shall go through with the BUSINESS
With that l knocked Mt the door, and, a.
mitted to tho sick-room, informed my mother
m-law brieny OF what was taking place.
while the invaluable Maqueechy retired with
her usual delicacy to the dressing-r room. Per-
haps, 1 spoke IA little too loud-for That Ms.
Maqueechy could stoop to eavesdropping, it is
hard to believe-but, at all events, that IN
telligent woman must have possessed herself
of the substance of what | related, for when
l opened the door to admit the officer, found
her already outside, and in his custody. SIC
had endeayored to escape through the second
door of the dressiug-room-"bolted like u
rabbit" said the detective-but ha run ihto
the very danger she would have avoided, and
there she was with a couple of handcuff over
her neat mittens.
1--WE know one another very well, me and
Mrs. Maqueechy," observed the detective
grimly. al was told ] should find an old
friend in this house. al though / had no idea
who it would be until you mentioned Mrs.
Ogilvie. She is very charitable, she is, in
getting her fellow-creatures situations in re-
spectacle families where there happens to 10
a good deal of plate. 1t was this very night
that this good lady here had engaged to open
your front door TO her husband and a friend
of his, who keeps light cart in the mows
yonder. Being n sick-nurse, you see. no.
body would be surprised at her being about
the house at all hours. Wasn't that your lit
tie game, Mrs. Maqueechyl"
HWell, / suppose it's n five-year touch,' OBJ
served that lady with philosophic GOODNESS.
"Well, I'm afraid it is, mn'am since that
other little business in Carlton gardens still
remains unsettled. Good-by. sir; you will
see Mrs. NJ. again. once or twice, before you
have done with her; and in the meantime you
take my advice, sir, and in hiring another
sick-nurse for your mother-in law don't you
apply to Mrs. Ogilvie."
And Off he walked with our perfect
treasure"