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


Mr.. Mortimer dropped his eyes to the car.
pet before the detectives gaze, either from
sudden nervousness or from constitutional
inability to meet . direct glance He put
his hand in his trouser- pockets, and, looking
at the tops Of his boots, merely nodded.
THE fact is, there is q young person who
used to be in your service who seemed to b
| unjustly suspected by the police-or some
body" said Mr.. Gimblett in his most incisive
tones "She is being watched and incon-
venienced, though she isn't the guilty party
@You mean the girl Martha-Martha
Chale, suppose hastily added Mr.. Morti-
-mer. well, don't suspect her. Ny wife
sent her away think it was devilish hard
Iines.-
80 it is In fact it's persecution, and
must be put stop to-"
1T isn't my fault said Mr.. Mortimer,
sulAly. Il can't do anything in the matter
You will have to, sir, or else"
"Or else what, siri What the deuce do
you meanr cried Mr. Mortimer blazing up
We'll, sir, Miss Chale don't bear you any
malice, but she does happen to recollect your
starting of on a journey with a small valiss
on the evening of the 9TH Of July said Mr..
Gimblett, significantly. 1T might be de-
sirable to investigate that little trip You
were supposed to have gone to Birmingham
On business, Tut"
The ex-detective's remarks were inter-
rupted by Mr.. Mortimer suddenly turning
round and making a tremendous rafting
in the empty CRATE with the poker, appa-
rently ohlivious of the fact that there was
no fire. But ere he effected this transparent
maneuver Mr.. Gimblett had remarked the
guilty glow which had suffusei his brow.
1T wouldn't do, Of course. for Mrs Nor
timer to suspect" resumed Mr.. Gimblett,
quietly, as soon as he could make himself
heard again.
mo, 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 fidgeting about the mantel shelf.
@Only a letter to the police-inspector, that
can deliver" said Mr.. Gimblett, readily
~Nothing more than that"
Mr.. Mortimer hurriodly seated himself at
the nearest table and took up a pen.
What shall l sayF 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 an
noy her, said Mr. Gimblett glibly.
Reason to believe-not know" said Mr.
Mortimer, commencing to write.
Know repeated Mr.. Gimblett, emphati
cally
~D-n it, then, have it your own way
exclaimed Mr. Mortimer, as he rapidly
dashed off the note. "What shall | say,
though, to the police, il they ask me what
mean!' he added, looking up.
They won't, sir. I'll manage that" said
Mr. Gimblett
"And my wife needn't know anything
about this, supposed" he continued.
(which, sir! On! you mean the note to
the police. No, sir; certainly not" said
Mr.. Gin blett
Very we'll There you are them said
Mr.. Mortimer, fiinging the sheet of paper
across the table.
Its rather q delicate job, sir; may re-
4uire little oiling," said Mr.. Gimblett
coughing behind his hand
How muchsr demanded Mr. Mortimer
after an uneasy pause.
We'll, perhaps-perhaps a tenner."
Mr. Mortimer's only answer was to hand
Mr.. Gimblett a bank-note rather tremu-
busly. AMI, with this, the interview ended
Mr.. Gimblett bowed politely AMI took up his
hat, while Mr.. Mortimer opened the door &c
aim, looking particularly sheepish and crest
fallen.
Mr. Gimblett chuckled to himself when he
got outside AMI proceeded in the direction
II Scotland yard, having first securely
flowed the 10 pound sterling note. Whether
he 'Oiling' process extended beyond Mr.
3imblett himself Is by no means clear. Sri
hce II to say that Eve minutes chat With .hs
Inspector having charge Of Mr.. xortiuar's
case, the production of the letter, and few
nudges and winks exchanged over a friendly
glass. seemed all that was necessary to show
how the land lay. From that day forward
Martha Chaie ceased to be q suspected per-
ION even as q matter Of form, and the mys-
terry Of the robbery was considered to be
solved in q manner not altogether uncom-
mon.
Mr. Gimblett was gallant enough to pay
Martha Chals a visit at her mothers humble
abode to report what he had done, and re-
ceived the young woman's thanks, which
were rendered without the least enthusiasm,
rather to his disappointment The ex-de-
tective evinced an inclination to follow up
the acquaintance thus suspiciously com
menced, and ventured to call a second time
when he happened to be passing soon after
ward. But on the latter occasion Martha's
manner was so abrupt and inhospitable that
he did not care to repeat the experiment,
resented her treatment Of him.
Shortly after this Mr.. Gimblett had to go
over to Paris on business. Missing persons
his professional prospectus, and this branch
afforded him plenty Of employment The
supposed elopement Of publican's wife with
a sprightly grocer's assistant was the cause
Of his visit to the French capital on this &C.
casion, and in course of his inquiries in
connection with this thrilling case he picked
up little piece OF information which re-
called Martha Chale vividly to his recollec-
ton. Perhaps if the truth were known her
image suggested itself to his imagination
rather frequently, for there is no denying
that for the first time in his life Mr. Gimbiett
found the gayeties Of Paris decidedly de-
pressing, and was constantly detecting
fanciei resemblances between casual passers-
by and certain young woman who had i'm
pressed him much with her clevernesS
But the trifing discovery he made in Paris
suggested an uncomfortable suspicion as to
whether Martha Chale's cleverness had not
been rather too much for him. In other
words, he began to have a diSquieting idea
that the young woman had mids a cats
paw of him: and, what was worse, he learned
to doubt whether she was really as innocent
of the disappearance OF Mrs. Mortimer's
jewels As she had pretended UpIn his re-
turl TO England Mr.. Gimblstt made some
inquiries which resulted in his payin, Miss
Martha another visit in q frame u mini
which wavered between furious Indignation
and bitter disappointment His perturba-
ton was increa~ei by strange longing that
he might after all have wronyed her, AMI
this charitable sentiment came uppermp>t
when he NIT her face u face
Miss Chale, b. said. a. soon as he got al
opportunity Of Speaking to her alone. you
remember the story you told me about Mr.
Mortimer.'
Yes; l do" was her calm reply.
You declared you had ssen in the valise
ne took away with him the jewels that were
supposed to be stolen" proceeisi Mr. Gin
blett
Il know Idii, but it wasn't true. returned
Martha, returning Mr. Gimblett's gaze a.
most defiantly.
Il know it wasn't true retortei the ex-
detective, unable TO conceal his reSentm,nts
Il have discovered the mystery about Mr.
Mortilner's little trip l have hal an inter
view with the lady
You seem to have taken a good deal of
unnecessary trouble" said Martha quite
tartly. | could have told you all about hi
goings on
Well you made fool OF ma any how
exclaimed the inspector. more crestsalleu
than angry. You might have gone TO Mr..
n yourself, but neither you nor he would
have known ho~ to manage the pcliee.
That is why I came to you, said Martha,
with a nod
Yes; l understand that it was very clever
N you. miss May l inquire your objectF