The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-01-17
ing to do with it myself. But know
who did it, reioined Martha, sharply.

Molhhed by MIR. tlmbIett's apology,
the young woman proceeded to reveal
what she knew in her terse, matter of
fact language, which her companion
listened to with increasing respect.
Il dare say you are right" said Mr..
Gimblett, when she had concluded her
recital. But it sounds strange.
What sort of man is Mr.. Mortimer"
HE is younger than his wife. Mar
ried her for money. and gets precious
little of it," was the significant an
swer.
IF you are right-of course, you are
not absolutely sure" said Mr. Gimblett,
quite humbly-"I have no doubt / can
manage matters so that you won't be
annoyed any longer"
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 q won't press it on you, because
L daresay you will make him pay your
expenses"
If Mr.. Gimblett had required any
further proof of his visitors shrewdness,
the last remark would have furnished
I
he was seized with sort of sudden
nervousness which he had never before
experienced. He took her hand in his
with the deliberate intention of giving
it fatherly squeeze indicative of ad-
miration, but upon meeting her gaze
he abandoned his subtle design, while
a faint tinge of color came to his face
It was not until he had been alone for
nearly five minutes that he completely
recovered his equanlmlty, 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 and conf
dent air and manner, to make few in
quiries on his own account about Martha
Chale and her story. The latter, as far
as regarded the robbery, he found per-
fectly correct, nor did there seem any
reason to doubt that the girl was per-
fectly innocent of the affair. The po-
lice were watching, her, it is true, but
this was chiefly owing to The instruc
tons of Mrs. Mortimer, and not because
they had grounds for suspecting her.
As matter of fact, the Jewels had been
taken In a manner which left absolutely
no cIew to the perpetrators of the theft.
For his personal satisfaction, Mr.. Gim
blett ascertained that Martha Chale bore
an excellent character, and when out of
a situation lived with her mother, q re-
spectacle woman, who had brought up
large family by her own exertions.
Fortified by these details, Mr.. Gim-
blett resolved to have an interview with
Mr.. Mortimer without delay, for his sud
den interest in Martha Chale prompted
him to lose no time in earning her graft
tude. He therefore took an early OPP
portunity to pay Mr.. Mortimer visit at
his club, thinking he was more likely to
be able to see him alone there than at
his own house. Mr.. Mortimer looked
a good deal surprised upon the detec
tive's being ushered into the strangers
room at the Blenheim. He received
him. however, civilly enough.
your card informs me that you are
detective officer" said Mr.. Mortimer,
who was a ford, overdressed, rather
handsome man of 40, with a shifty
glance and a weak chin.
"An ex-detective, sir, to be precise.
I thought" added Mr.. Gimblett, lower
ing his voice to confidential whisper,
You would sooner I called upon you
here than at your own house"
at all depends on what you have
come about" said Mr.. Mortimer, with
an uneasy laugh.
"It's in connection with the alleged
robbery of jewels at your house." said
Mr.. Gimblett, with startling abrupt
Il - r,I no
Mr.. Mortimer dropped his eyes to
the carpet before the detectives gaze,
either from sudden nervousness or from
constitutional inability to meet direct
glance. He put his hands in his trouser-
pockets, and, looking at the toes of his
boots, merely nodded.
"The fact is, there is 81 young person
who used to be in your service who
seems to be unjustly suspected by the
poliee-or by somebody" said Mr.. Gin
blett in his most incisive tones. "She
is being watched and Inconvenience,
though she isn't the guilty party"
you mean the girl Martha Martha
Chale, l suppose" hastily added Mr..
Mortimer. well, 1 don't suspect her.
My wife sent her away. l think it was
devilish hard linesl"
$50 it is. In fact i is persecution,
and must be put stop to-"
at isn't my fault, said Mr.. Mortimer,
sulkily. Il can't do anything in the
matter"
"You will have to, or else"
"Or else what, sir? What the deuce
de you mean?" cried Mr.. Mortimer,
blazingup.
well, sir, Miss Chale don't bear you
any malice, but she does happen to
recollect your starting off on journey
with a small valise on the evening of
the 7th of July" said Mr.. Gimblett,
Significantly. at might be desirable to
investigate that little trip. You were
supposed to have gone to Birmingham
on business, but"
The ex-detective's remarks were in
terrupted by Mr.. Mortimer suddenly
turning round and making tremend-
GUS rafting in the empty CRATE with the
poker, apparently oblivious of the fact
that there was no fire. But ere he
effected this transparent maneuver Mr..
Gimblett had remarked the guilty glow
which had suffused his brow.
| 1T wouldn't do, of course, for Mrs.
Mortimer to suspect" resumed Mr.
Gimblett, quietly, as soon as he could
make himself heard again.
No, no. Come, out with it. Let us
have no beating about the bush, What
is it you want ?" inquired Mr.. Mortimer,
dropping the poker, and tidgeting about
the mantel shelf.
Only letter to the police-inspector,
that | can deliver, said Mr.. Gimblett,
readily. Nothing more than that"
Mr.. Mortimer hurriedly seated him
self at the nearest table and took up a
| pen.
What shall say?" he inquired.
Only that you have reason to know
that Martha Chale is innocent of the
robbery, and request that the police
will cease to annoy her" said Mr.. Gin
blett, ghbly
Reason to beieve-not know" said
Mr.. Mortimer, commencing to write.
Know repeated Mr.. Gimblett, en-
! phatically.