Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-06-05
TO MIR. GIMBLETT.

TO MIR. GTMBLETT.
London TRUTH
Mr.. Gimblett, the ex-detective, was seated
one morning in his dingy little Office ovel
the furniture shop In the Waterloo Bridgt
road, when his clark brought In word thai
"a young person wished to see him.
"Who Is shsr inquired Mr. Gimblett
She says she will tell you her name her
self She has never been here before said
the clerk
"Beggingr suggested Mr.. Gimblsst
Il think not She doesn't look that sort
and her manner Is overbearing,' was the
reply.
"A young person, did you sayr remarked
Mr.. Gimblett
"Yes, sir; young, and not bad lookins
neither" said the clerk, who perhaps knew
his chiefs little weakness
Il suppose you had better show her In, n
remarked Mr.. Gimblett, with an air Of su-
prone Indifference. Nevertht l,ss, when his
clerks back was turned, he ran his fingers
through his hair, settled his cravat, and
deftly rearranged the flowers in his button
hole
The "young person" did not belle the
clerks favorable descriptiOn-at least, in
Mr.. Gimb:ett's humble opinion She was
young. tall, had coed figure, aud pretty
face. But what chiefly impressed Mr. Climb
lett was the keen ard penetrating glance Of
her dark eyes and tho Lrmness OF her mouth
and chin. He ins,inctively guessed that he
had before him girl OF unusual shrewdness
and energy Of character, while her calm self
possession testified to the strength OF her
nerves. She was very quietly, yet commonly
dressed, and there was no attempt to dis
guise her station in life, which was evidently
that OF a superior sort of domestic servant
spray be seated" said Mr. Gimblett rs sls
entered.
you are Mr.. Gimblett, suppose said
the visitor, taking possession Of a chair and
drawing it up to the table my name is
Martha Chale. My father used to be in the
force with you"
@Oh, yes, recolIect." said Mr.. Gimblett,
slightly disappointed at this prelude, though
he scarcely knew why. Il knew your father
very well. He was killed in that affair over
BALKAN way Very sadl very sad!'
Il didn't come to talk about my father"
continued Martha Chale. in a cool, matter
OA~hdCt tOiIc. ne 06S Oteu OexAu J6u yt9TS
and more. only mentioned him as q sort
OF introduction"
II understand" said Mr.. Gimblett, sur
prised and amused at his visitors tone and
manner
Il want to engage your services In q bust
ness way, and I'm quite ready to pay you"
said Martha, producing an apparently we'll
filed purse, and placing it upon the table.
80 ~c,xk l..S
I'm not mean neither. know how to Savo,
but don't grudge spending"
Excellent" exclaimed Mr. Gimblett with
involuntary admiration.
"The fact i, I'm being watched by the po
lice, and it's unpleasant" said Martha, all
ruptly
Naturally" acquiesced Mr.. Gimblett
"rve lost my situation for nothing and
now my footsteps are doggei night and DAY
l don't like it. and mother don't like it
neither and, what il more. amt going To
stand it,
Martha ChaIe spoke with con. iderable a.
perity and vigor, and Mr. Gimblett could
not help perceiving that tie youns woman
was blessed with temper of her own Yet
the ex-detective thought the flash Of h .r eyes
and the quick rush Of color to her chseks be-
came her wonderfully, while he rather ad-
mired than otherwise. the decision OF her
tones.
quite right" he said benignly; "what is it
all aboutp
swell, it is this: I've been living as upper
housemaid for the last two years with Mr.
and Mrs. Mortimer, Of Park crescent"
"One moment-Mortimer, Park crescent
said Mr. Gimblett, as he made note upon
his blotting pad.
There has been robbery there lately;
some of Mrs Mortimsr's jewelry was stolen
from q safe"
"Burglas:" inquired Mr.. Gimblett
II know nothing about it." said Martha
Chala, Struggling her shoulders. THE safe
was opened by someone with a key, and the
things distracted. Nobody knows when it
was done. except that the things were
al right within a few days before the loss
was discovered That is the whole story. /
was sent away"
"And none Of the other servantsl'
No. know why l was singled out. Mrs.
Mortimer is most jealous of her husband,
and she must needs take it into her head"
pretty young women are dangerous in a
house, interposed MIR. Gimblett loosely.
But from the manner in which this conf
plimentary spee ch was received, the ex-de-
tective judged that he Eai better not have
uttered it. Martha Chale paused and fixed
her dark eyes upon him with an expression
Of contemptuous establishment. For once in
his life Mr. Gimblett felt disconcertej, and
became suddenly conscious OF the fact that
his hair was gray.
Il boxed his ears once for trying to bar
the passage on the staircase; l know that"
said Martina, impressively. misses hadn't
no call to be jealous Of me-
Mr. Gimblett did not trust himself to COM
ment upon this remark, and his visitor pro-
ceeded:
II suppose Mrs. Mortimer set the police ON
to me. Anyway, Pm watched night and
day, and I've had enough Of it."
Il don't ses what can do for you," said
Mr. Gimblett
you haven't heard yet" said the young
woman, catching him up quickly. wait
till tell you"
Il beg your pardon said Mr.. Gimblett,
mildly.
Il don't wish anybody any harm, but
want to protect myself. This is the reason
come to you instead of communicating what
know to the police"
"You said you didn't know anything about
the robbery said Mr.. Gimblet., quickly.
Il meant, Of course, that had nothing to
do with it myself But know who did it"
rsjoine1 Martha, sharply.
"Oh see Pardon me-"
Modified by Mr. Gimblett's hasty apology,
the young woman proceeded to reveal what
she knsw in her tese, matter-of-fact Ian.
sunge, which he. companion listened to With
increasing respect
Il dare say you are right said Mr.. Climb
lett when shs had concluded her recital
"But it sounds strange What sort Of man
is Mr. Mortimer
HE is younger than his wife. Married
her for her money, and gets precious little
of it, was the significant answer.
IF You are right-of course, you are not
absolutely sure" said Mr. Gimblett, qnite
humbly-@I have no doubt I can manage
matters SO that you won't be annoyed any
longer
THAT is all want Mini you don't carry
the matter any further" said Martha, rising
from her chair. If You won't take any
money from me-" she added, Il won't pres
it on you, because dare shy you will make
him pay your expenses
II Mr.. Gimblett had required any further
proof of his visitors shrewdness, the last re-
mark would have furnished it As he rose
to open the door for her he was seized with
a sort Of sudden nervousness which he had
never before exp rienced. He took her hand
in his with the deliberate intention Of CIV.
ing it fatherly squeeze Indicative Of ad
miration, but upon meeting her gaze he
abandoned his subtle design, while tinge
Of color came to his face. 1t was not until
he had been alone for nearly five minutes
that no completetely recovered his equanim-
ity, and then he felt unaccountably ashamed
of himself
However, his self-esteem survived the
shock, and half an hour later he sailed forth
with his usual calm AMI confident air and
manner, TO make few inquiries on his own
account about Martha Chale and her story.
The latter, rs far as regarded the robbery,
he found perfectly correct, nor did there
seem any reason to doubt that the girl vas
perfectly innocent Of the affair The police
were watching her, it is true, but this was
chiefly owing to the instructions Of
Mrs Mortimer, and not because they had
grounds for suspecting her As . matter OF
fact, the jewels had been taken in . manner
which left absolutely no clew to the perpe-
traitors Of the theft For his personal salts
faction, Mr.. Gimblett ascertainsl that
Martha Chale bore an excellent character,
and when out Of a situation lived with her
mother, a respectable woman who had