The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-02-13
TO MIR. GIMBLETT.


Mr.. Gimblett, tho ex-detective, was seated
one morning in his dingy little Office over
the furniture shop in the Waterloo Bridge
road, when his clerk brought in word that
"a young person" wished to see him.
~Who Is shef" inquired Mr.. Gimblett
@5he says she will tell you her name her.
self She has never been here before" said
the clerk.
"BeggingT suggested Mr.. Gimblett
II think not She doe mt 10 X that sort
and her manner is overbearing," was the
reply
"A young person, did you sayi" remarked
Mr.. Gimblett
YES, sir; young, and not bad-looking
neither" said the clerk, who perhaps knew
his chiefs little weakness
II suppose you had better show her In"
remarked Mr.. Gimblett, with an air Of su-
preme indifference Neverth,l,ss when his
clerks back was turned, he ran his fingers
through his hair, settled his cravat, and
deity rearranged the flowers In his button
hole.
The "young person" did not belle the
clerks favorable description-at least, In
Mr. Gimb.etts humble opinion She was
young, tall, had good figure, and pretty
face But what chiefly impressed Mr. Climb
lett was the keen and penetrating glance Of
her dark eyes and the iirmness Of her mouth
and chin He instinctively guessed that he
had before him a 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
"Pray be seated" said Mr.. Gimblets as she
entered
you are Mr.. Gimblett, suppose" said
the visitor, taking possession of a chair and
drawing IL up TO the table. my name is
Martha Chale. My father used TO be in the
force with you"
ooh, yes, rscollect" said Mr.. Gimble.t.
slightly disappointed at this prelude, though
he scarcely knew why. II knew your father
very we'll He was killed in that affair over
BALKAN way. Very sadl very sadlr
Il didn't come to talk about my father"
continued Martha Chale. In a cool, matter
of-fact tone. "He has been dead ten years
and more. only mentioned him as a sort
Of introduction"
~ understand" said Mr. Gimblett, sur
prised and amused at his visitors tone and
manner.
Il want TO engage your services In o bust
ness way, and I'm quite ready to pay YOU"
said Martha, producing an apparently well
filed purse, and placing IL upon the table
Arm not one Of your extravaganza sort, but
I'm not mean neither. / know how to save,
but don't grudge spending"
"Excellentm exclaimed Mr. Gimblett, with
involuntary admiration.
"The fact H., I'm being watched by the po-
lice, and it's unpleasant" said Martha, ali
ruptly.
Naturally" acquiesced Mr. Gimblett
ave lost my situation for nothing, and
now my footsteps are doggei night and day.
! don't like IL. and mother don't like 1t
neither, and, what Is more. amt going to
stand It."
Martha Cha,o spoke with con- iderable
perity and vigor, and Mr.. Gimblett could
not hslp perceiving that the youn, woman
was blessed with a temper Of her own. Ne.
the ex-detective thought the fash Of h,r eyes
and the quick rush Of color to her cheek, 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 aboutf'
swell, IL Is this: I've been living rs upper
housemaid for the last two years with Mr.
end Mrs Mortimer, Of Park crescent"
"One moment-Mortimer, Park crescent"
said Mr.. Gimblett, n he made note upon
his blotting-pad.
"There has been robbery there lately;
some Of Mrs Mortimer's jewelry was stolen
from safe"
@BurglarsT inquired Mr.. Gimblett.
Il know nothing about it," said Martha
Chale, struggling her shoulders THE safe
was opened by someone with key, and the
things distracted Nobody knows when it
was done. except that the things were
all right within q few days before the loss
was discovered. That Is the whole story. /
was sent away"
1And none Of the other servantsl,
"No know why was singled out. Mrs.
Mortimer Is most Jealous OF her husband,
and she must needs take IL into her head"
pretty young women are dangerous In q
house." interposed MIR. Gimblett, jocosely.
But from the manner In which this COM
plimentary speech was received, the ex-de-
tective judged that he hal 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 Disconnected, and /
became suddenly conscious Of the fact that |
his hair was gray.
Il boxed his ears once for trying 10 bar /
the passage on the staircase; know that"
said Martha, 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 vet the police on
TO mo. Anyway, Pm watched night and
day, and I've had enough Of it."
Il don't see what can do for you" said
Mr.. Gimblett.
"You haven't heard yet" said the young
woman, catching him up quickly. "Wait
till i tell you"
Il beg your pardon" said Mr.. Gimblett,
mildly.
u don't wish anybody any harm, but I |
want TO protect myself. This Is the reason |
come 10 you instead of communicating what
/ know to the police"
"You said you didn't know anything about
the robbery" said Mr.. Gimblett, quickly.
II meant OF course, that had nothing to
do with IL myself But know who did it,"
rejoinel Martha, sharply.
"ohl sse. Pardon me-" ...
Modified by Mr.. Gimblett's hasty apology,
sho knew In her terse matter-of- tant Lam
guage, which her companion listened TO with
increasing respect @
II dare say you are right" said Mr.. Climb
lett, when she had concluded her recital
But II sounds strange. What sort Of man
In Mr.. Mortimer"
"He is younger than his Wit. Married
Der for her money, and gets precious little
Of It, = was the significant answer.
III you are right--of course, you are not
absolutely sure" said Mr.. Gimblett, quite
humbly--aI have no doubt ! can manage
matters SO that you won't be annoyed any
longer" g.4 7.Ea
THAT Is all want Mind 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, II won't press
IL on you, because dare say you viii mako
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
10 opsn the door for her he was seized with
\ sort OF sudden nervousness which he had
never before experienced He took her hand
n his with the deliberate intention Of CIV
Ing 1t fatherly squeeze Indicative OF adj
but upon meeting her gaze he
abandoned his subtle design, while tinge
Of color came TO his face. IL was mot until
ho had been alone for nearly five minutes
that he completetely recovered his equanim-
Ity, and then no felt unaccountably ashamed
Of himself
However, his self esteem survived the
shock, and half an hour later he sailed forth
with his usual calm and confident air and
manner, TO make few inquiries on his own
account about Martha Chale and her story.
The latter, as far rs regarded thu robbery,
he found perfectly correct nor did there