The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1884-03-26

llclI, hu, ~ luT M hIOW, ODSclNtu
this official, jerking his thumb in the di- |
rection Of tho dining-roOm. "Are you
sure there are no more men in your
house besides those have seen p
"Ycs." said ]; "there are no more"
"rhen now | must have look at the
ladies'"
"rhe ladies r. cried ], agh0st at this
proposal. "You don't want to so into
the dmwing-room?"
at would be more satisfactory" OBJ
served the detective, coolly "My i'll
formation is very reliable. But, at all
events, who il thcro?"
"Wcll, said !, "my wife is there for
one; You have no information against
her suppose ?"
lie nodded satisfaction 80 far.
"'rhen there's the Honorable Mrs.
Mnicham and her daughter"
"Safc," rcioincd the detective check
ing them off on his fingers.
"Mrs Twistic, Of Rcgrlia square, and
Lady Bobhiugton."
81 suppose they're MI right" Ie-
marked my iuquisior, doubiiully. care
You sure there are no more 2
"Thcrcs my mothcr.in-Iaw. but
she's IN her own room, and exceedingly
unwcll."
every good,' observed the detective
incouso quentialIy. "There's II plant
somewhere in this house, however you
may take your oath on that, and in the
last place You would ever look for it ; 80
now ] must see the maids.
wax full Of suspicious that the de-
tcctlve himself wus II "Plant" that would
presently blossom into II burglar; but
my OvcrtnXcd mind refused TO bear this
burden. II it was so, ] would trust 10
his clcmcncy, to leave mo II silver fork
or two TO carry on the business of life. II
this man turned out TO be anything less
than what ho described himself to he,
all authority would hcncriorth lose its
effect with me. He had to repeat, SO
now must zee the maids, in his unde-
ninblc manner, before | could collect
myself sufficiently to lead the way to tho
kitchen. 70 sny the cook and the
kitchcn-mald stared Mt the phenomena
OF our presence, IL to undcrrate their
| powers oi vision.
"Now, | dare say you have no char
woman nor any temporary assistant, my
good lady, even on I'M occasion like the
present" observed my companion mr.
bancly; "but you and this woman do all
the work yourselves"
"ThNt's true, sir we don't mind hard
work now and then, ;" returned the cook,
tossing her head "and besides, | don't
like stranger in my kitchen" added she
It'll meaning, Especially when Tn
busy, and would rather have their room
than thcir'company."
| could have given that woman five
shillings upon the spot for that rapid
discharge Of words. The detectives
tongue was silenccd by my domestic
ncedle-gun, md no retired much dis
comiited.
"Now, if had been an ordinary po-
liccmNn, and in uniform" whispered he
to me, Ns we reached the hall again,
81 could have como over that cook III no
time"
Without remarkiuR upon this confess
SION Of defeat, led the way to the nur.
scry. lie walked admiriugly from cot to
cot, as though ho were connolsseur in
babes.
"Charming children, and well taken
care of, | can scc," observed he, with
nod Q thoughD toward the under-nursc.
Its neither of Them" me added in n
low whisper. "You have u housemaid
or two ] SUPPOSE"
Tho housemaids were inspected, and
pronounced to be free from suspicion.
"But l cannot have seen everybody" he
said dccisively.
EYES," said I, Everybody, except
Mrs. Maqueechy."
"Friend of the fomilyp' inquired the
detective, with disappointed air.
"Well," said |, 81 might almost say
30. She came to us not only with the
best Of written characters, but my wife
had an interview with her late mistress,
a Mrs. Ogilvie, who pronounced her II
perfect treasure; and we ourselves have
found her all that could be wished"
81 should like to see the perfect treas
nre,'" quoth the detective, smiling
grimly; eve often find them to be the
very people we want
May" said /, "but in this case youl
suspicious aro quite groundless; Mrs.
Maqueechy is u superior person, and
| takes an interest in us which yOu seldom
find in domestic except after years OF
service. Besides, she is my mother-in-
laws sick nurse, and most likely they
have already made their arrangements
for the night. 1t would be q pity to
disturb them"
"Imustsee Mrs. Maqueechy," returned
my companion, gravely. "She seems
altogether too charming to be missed. !"
"You detectives are clever fellows"
replied I with irritation; "but you often
spend your time very fruitlessly. It's n
pity that man can't be determined, and
yet avoid being obstinate. However,
since you have gone 30 far, you shall go
through with the business"
| With that knocked at the door. and,
admitted to the sick-room, informed my
mother-in-law Of what was taking
place; while the invaluable Maqueechy
retired with her usual delicacy 10 the
dressing-room. Perhaps / spoke lit
tie too loud-for that Mrs. Maoueechv
could stoop to eavesdroping, it is hard
to believe--but at all events, that intelli-
gent woman must have possessed herself
of the substance of what | related. for
when opened the door to admit the
officer, found her already outside, and
III his custody. She had epdeayored to