Daily Yellowstone journal., 1886-11-21
TIE MISSING PICTURE.

collateral descendants Of a famous gen
eral whose title Of duke the head OF the
family still bears. The duke to whom
refer was one of the best of men, without
n particle of pride, and devoted TO the
welfare of the people among whom he
Hyed. He had fine gallery OF pictures,
and among them many of great value
One Of these was q Claude Lorraine,
and between Saturday evening and the
following Monday morning IL was cut
from the frame and removed. Twas sent
for and the task of discovering the thief
or thieves was imposed upon me. The
picture was hung the second from the en-
trance to the gallery on the left hand
side. Saturday evening the duke him
self, accompanied by his secretary, went
through the gallery and spoke Of some
alterations which he contemplated. This
very picture was specially alluded to as
one that ought 10 be removed TO better
light. The gallery was locked and the
keys were deposited in the dukes desk in
the library. The following Monday even
ing the duke again visited the gallery,
and the first thing which struck his eye
was the empty frame. The duke very
wisely communicated the fact Of the theft
TO no one until he saw me. found that
the only person who could have had ac-
cess TO the keys Of the gallery was the
secretary, Mr. Stanley. The duke told
me he was the son Of his old tutor, and
an exemplary young man. He was the
sole support OF his mother and sister, who
lived in Argyle square, London.
At dinner that night l took good look
at Mr.. Stanley. There was something
about his ways | did not like. Though
l was introduced as lawyer from Lon
: don, come to consult with the duke on
important business, could see that Mr..
Stanley regarded me with what seemed to
me suspicion. A strange misgiying re-
specting Mr.. Stanley was floating in my
mind. After dinner he engaged ME in
conversation, saying that he was intended
for the legal profession, but had taken
orders instead, only 10 find that n bron-
chial affection from which he suffered
was 10 preclude his ever speaking in pub
Lie.
A thing occurred which was just what
I could have wished. The duke sug-
gestedehat he and / should retire to the
library, and requested Mr.. Stanley to
light the lamps in the library, adding that
he should not require his services again
that night. The thought struck me at
once that Mr.. Stanley would be anxious
TO know what the duke and were TO
talk about. Something seemed to say to
me, "He is the guilty mamie will wait,
and hide ana listen" This thing so
filed my thoughts that heard nothing
the duke was saying until he reused me
by inviting me TO the library. II was a
large room with two screens and a door
in the further corner. / already knew
that the door led to small study, from
which private stairs assembled TO the
floor above. The door was ajar, and l
was as certain that Mr.. Stanley was on
the other side Of it as though saw him
there. Purposely, l spoke in a full,
distinct voice, so that he could not fail
to hear il he were listening. I had al
ready made up my mind what to say and
do.
The duke handed me cigar and took
one himself and we smoked After some
con verastion said: II have made very
important discovery, which may lead 10
the detection Of the thief"
"Indeeds' said the duke: "what is it,
"On the door OF the picture gallery
have discovered the mark of hand-a
mans hand" said.
.'That is poor clew," said the duke
sis II mott"
s'Not SO poor in this instance, re-
piled, ''for the fingers and the palm Of
the hand are so clearly marked that can
infallibly tell the hand that left the i'm
print If once see il.
'That is remarkable" saia the duke
.'Now, what | want is this, said II
want to examine the left hand of every
person who was in the dwelling between
that Saturday night and the morning fol-
lowing
"You shall do so, the duke said, after
pause.
Then the thought struck me that II Mr.
Stanley were listening, as felt he was.
he would at once quit his post by the pri-
vate stair, and very likely descend to the
main hall and take a glance at the door
of the picture gallery. | stepped to the
library door and opened it. II was i'm
me,liately opposite to the door Of the gal
lery, which was in the shade.
I had hardly opened the door when
Mr.. Stanley descended the stairs and
walked across the hall, glancing at the
gallery door as he did so. / had no fear
that lac would go near the door. for mem
bers NJ the family and servants were pass
ing and repassing all the time, and,
InoIeONtT, ppTtcT anu TWO stTNdntHitH
were In charge of the hall.
After few minutes further talk with
the duke. during which he assured me
should have his help in any scheme pro-
posed, | quilted the library and went
toward my own apartment. On the way
1 met Mr.. stanley, and on the spur OF
the moment invited him to my room. say.
ing that | had some good cognac and
cigars. lie accepted and we sat talking
together until nearly midnight Then
ne bade me good night and went TO his
own room. l stood in the corridor and
saw him enter. / put on pair Of list
slippers, prepared dark lantern. and
waited until the last sound should die
away in the palace.
This was my idea: II Stanley was the
guilty man he had hidden himself in the
room Of the. library and overheard what
I had said, and would certainly during
the night find an opportunity TO visit the
gallery door, examining It for finger
marks, and obliterate them. Il must he
my business TO watch and identify him;
and for this purpose had resolved TO
take up position in the hall, behind one
of the pillars OF the stair, where could
see all that passed-for lamp burned all
highland at the same time be CON-
pletely concealed.
As soon as all was quiet opened my
door. The key grated in the lock. AsI
stepped into the corridor heard the rush
of hasty feet, and the sound stopped just
where knew the door OF Mr. Stanley's
room to be- felt that had disturbed
him on his way TO remove the finger