Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-01-23
SOLVING A MYSTERY.
"Mr. Brent, sir"

"Mr. Brent, slr.
ssShow him in, john"
The servant withdrew and ushered IN
tall, dark featured, sharp looking mas.
who bowed as he entered.
eBe seated, sir" and Mr.. Cotton point
ed to chair and threw down his paper.
"You are Mr.. Brent, the detective, pre-
sume-the gentleman have sent for?"
81 am that gentleman, sir, and complete
" at your service" and the sharp looking
man seated himself
ssl've got some work for you to do, Mr..
Brent" began Mr.. Cotton, the banker,
sand, as you bear an excellent reputation
for solving mysteries and hunting down
criminals, Pve no doubt but that you'll be
successful in this case"
81 hope so, SIR" replied Mr.. Brent, in
quiet manner.
sfWell, now to tell you what want solv-
ed" and the banker coughed, drew his
chair nearer to the detective, and began in
a low tone of voice, while Mr.. Brent was
all attention.
"You must know, MIR. Brent, that for
the past two weeks large sums of money
have been missing from my safe, which
stands in my reading room. up stairs, the
veipdow of which loom leads out on small
balcony which overhangs our back garden.
Day and night the windows of that room
have been securely bolted and locked, and
SO with the door, save when | am in there
reading. In the safe that stands there /
have had deposited, for the past two Eeefs.
large amount of money, all gold, sir; and
since the night put it there it has been
abstracted-not altogether, MIR. Brent, but
$500 or SO at 4 time. I have striven to un-
veil the mystery. but failed"
eyes," is all that Mr.. Brent remarks,
in his quiet way.
"Now, who can be this thief" Mr.. Col
ton continued. "Who can it be that pur-
Joins this money from my safe, which | al
ways find relocked after the money has
been taken?"
Mr.. Brent is silent; his sharp eyes are
bent on the floor; be is in deep thought.
"Who are the occupants of your house
sir9'' the detective at length asks.
"Two old and trusted servants, whose
honesty lies beyond the shadow of q doubt
and Richard, my son."
"Ah-yes?'' is what Mr.. Brent says
s'Have you visitors often?"
ssNo, SIR" replies the old banker; "tha
is, mean, very seldom since my wifi
died"
Mr.. Brent coughed behind his hand, ant
then said:
'sCould you call up your twol servants
sir?'
fCertainly," and the banker put his hant
On the bell cord.
Mr.. Brent stopped him quickly.
excuse me, MIR. Cotton, he said, 'bu
call them up on some excuse. Don't lie
them know our business, SIR"
Mr.. Cotton nodded his head and pullet
the bell cord.
The summons was answered by the oil,
man who had shown Mr.. Brent in.
"Any letters; John, today" the banke
asked, while the detective eyed the mai
closely.
''No, sir. None as yet.
Every well, John. By the bye, send you
wife in, won't you, when you go dow
stairs?''
The old servant bowed his head an,
withdrew, while MIR. Brent quietly said
looking at the banker:
"That mans honest"
Ellis wife, an old, gray haired woman
now made her appearance"
''Mrs. Thompson, you'll have mutton
today for dinner, won't you?'
ST that's your wish, of course, SIR" re
epectfully answered Mrs. Thompson, and {
moment after she left the room, wonder
sGg III LEI own mluu why tudS SEuGieIndl
with her master stared at her so.
''That's an honest Woman," was Mr.
Brent's conclusion.
At that instant young man, perhap
five-and-twenty, entered the room in hi
slippered feet and passed across the room
to shelf of books, some of which he tool
down, and then went out of the room ant
up the staircase.
Mr. Brent had eyed him keenly.
"Who is that young gentleman?" hp ask
ed after he had gone.
"That is my son, Richard-quite stu
dious boy, sir"
Mr.. Brent arose from the chair, cough
ed and picked up his hat, remarking:
81 shall call here early in the evening
Mr. Cotton, and stay all night"
"You have some hope of solving thi
mystery, then?" inquired Mr.. Cotton.
"Well, yes, l guess l can clear it up {
httle-at least I'll try. Can't do any more
ehp''
. SO Mr.. Brent, the detective, took his de
parture, promising to come again in thu
evening.