Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-06-04
TO MR.. GIMBLETT.


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 shei' inquired Mr.. Gimblett
'She says she will tell you her name her.
self She has never been here BEFORE said
the clerk
"Beggingi" suggested Mr.. Gimblett
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 looking
neither" said the clerk, who perhaps knew
his chiefs little weakness
Il suppose you had better show her in
remarked Mr.. Gimblett, with air Of su-
preme Indifference Nevertheless, 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 descripton-at least, in
Mr.. Gimb;ett's humble opinion. She was
young, tall, had good figure, and q pretty
face. But what chiefly impressed Mr.. Climb
lett was the keen ard penetrating glance Of
her dark eyes and the trmness Of her mouth
and chin. He instinctiyely 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
pray be seated" said Mr. Gimblett as she
entered.
you are Mr.. Gimblett, l suppose" said
the visitor, taking possession Of chair and
drawing it up to the table. My name is
Martha Chale. My father used 10 be in the
force with you"
"Oh, Yes, recollect" said Mr. Gimblett,
slightly disappointed at this prelude, though
he scarcely knew why. Il knew your father
very we'll He was killed in that affair over
BALKAN way. Very sad! very sad.'
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 q sort
of introduction"
Il 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
filled purse and placing it upon the table.
I'm not one Of your extravagant sort, but
I'm not mean neither. / know how to save,
but don't grudge spending
Excellent" exclaimed Mr.. Gimblett, with
involuntary admiration.
The fact Is, I'm being watched by the po-
lice, and its unpleasant said Martha, All
ruptly.
Naturally" acquiesced Mr. Gimblett
'Fve lost my situation for nothing, and
now my footsteps are doggei night and day
i don't like it. and mother don't like it
neither, and, what is more | amt going to
stand it.
Martha Chale spoke with considerable As
perity ard vigor, and Mr.. Gimblett could
not help perceiving that the young woman
was blessed with a temper of her own Yet
the ex-detective thought the flash Of her eyes
and the quick rush Of color 10 her cheeks be-
came her wonderfully, while he rather aI-
mired, than otherwise, the decision of her
tones.
Quite right he said benisnly: what is it
all aboutF
We'll, it is this: I've been living as upper
housemaid for the last two years with Mr.
and Mrs. Mortimer, of Park crescent
"One Observation-Disclosures, Park crescent
said Mr. Gimblett, as he made a note upon
his blottins pad.
There has been a robbery there lately;
some Of Mrs Mortimer's jewelry was stolen
from a safe"
"Burglars." inquired Mr.. GimbIett
Il know nothing about it." said Martha
Chale, Struggling her shoulders "Ihe safe
was opened by someone with a key, and tho
things distracted Nobody knows when it
was done, except that the things were
ali right within a few days before the loss
was discovered. That is the whole story
was sent away"
And none Of the other servantss'
No. l 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 Mr.. Gimblett, loosely
But from the manner in which this COM
plimentary spes CHI was received, the ex-de-
tective judged that he Lad better not have
uttered it Martha Chaie paused and fixed
her dark eyes upon him with an expression
Of contemp.uous 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 oncs for trying to bar
the passage ON the staircase; l 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:
Il suppose Mrs. Mortimer set the police on
to me Anyway, I'm 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 | tell you"
Il beg your pardon said Mr.. Gimbler,,
mildly
Il don't wish anybody any harm, bu;
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. Gimblett, quickly.
Il meant OF course, that had nothing u
10 with it myself But know who did it."
rejoinei Martha. sharply.
"Oh. see Pardon me-"
Modified by Mr.. Gimblett's hasty apology.
he young woman proceeded TO reveal what
.hs knew in her tene, matter-of-fsct Ian.
eunge, which he. companion listened to With
respect.
Il dare say you are right" said MIR. Climb
lett when she had concluded her recital.
But it sounds strange What sort Of man
is Mr. Mortimerf-
He is younger than his wife Married
her for her money. and gets precious little
Of it" wa, the significant answer.
III YOU are right-of course. you are not
absolutely sure said Mr.. Gimblett. quite
have no doubt l can manage
matters SO that you won't be annoyed any
longer
That Is all want Mini Won don't carry
the matter any further said Martha. rising
from her chair Ii You won't take any
money from me. She added, Il won't press
il on you, because dare say 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
Ia open the door for her he was seized with
4 sort Of sudden nervousness which he had
never before experienced He took her hand
in his with the deliberate intention Of Civ
ing it fatherly squeeze Indicative of ad-
but upon meeting her gaze he
abandoned his subtle design, while n tinge
II color came to hi face. 1t was not until
be had been alone for nearly five minutes
that he completetaly recovered his equanim-
ty, and then he felt unaccountably ashamed
II himself
However his sef-eSteem survived the |
,hock, and half an hour later he sailed forth |
With his usual calm ami confident air and |
manner In make faw inuuiriaS m, his own \