Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-04-18

IN Jne ndll, Oy the open front uOOr Ink
thieves had been frightened away the second
time
This new affair caused genuine dismay in
the Malcolm household, and Mrs. Malcolm
spoke about getting special guards to stay
in the house at night. Grace tried to reas'
sure her.
81 really don't think we have much to
fear" she said, with so many strong men
servants as are known to sleep on the prem
| ises. Burglars know what they are under
taking before they begin operations"
Il can not imagine why they should finish
their operations by leaving all the stolen
property in the hall, then" said Jessie
| shortly.
Grace laughed, and went her way.
A little later, Mrs. Malcolm, sitting in her
own room, was startled to see Jessie enter
abruptly and lock the door. Having done
this unusual thing. the daughter placed in
the mothers hand stained and crumpled
paper.
"We may as well face it, mother dear"
she said. Read that"
Mrs. Malcolm smoothed out the paper and
read: "Ellwood will be at Montgomery
at two o'clock Thursday morning"
"Why my dear, what does this mean!''
said Mrs Malcolm. 1T was Mr.. Montgom-
ery's house that was robbed last night. But
who in the world is Ellwood! And where
did you get this paperl''
"Ellwood is the robber, ! suppose" re-
piled Jessie, so excited that she trembled.
This is Thursday morning, you know. As
to the paper-mother, I'd rather suffer any
thing than have it to tell you, but Grace
Gardiner dropped that paper between here
nd fyvO
this morning:"
'Grace Gardiner! You're crazy, child ~
mo mother, am not; and / am as fond
of Grace as you are. Between two and three
O'Clock this morning l heard slight noise.
opened the door Of my room-for don't
intend any body shall chloroform me unless l
know who it Island saw that there was a
lightin Grace Gardeners room. Twas about
to go to her, thinking she was sick, when
she came softly out into the hall. She was
all dressed, and wore waterproof cloak
and thick vail. She hurried downstairs
and l heard her go out through the side
door. Then, from my window, saw her
run across the lawn in the direction Of Mr.
Montgomery's house. OF course there was
no more sleep for me. watched. and about
an hour later she came in, as softly as she
went out. and moving as if she were tired"
''My dear" said Mrs. Malcolm, with con-
viction, 'you dreamed it all. You were
nervous and upset on account of that first
burglary, you know"
81 thought that, too. But, after daylight,
1 went out, and there were her tracks in the
dew, making a straight path across the
lawn. walked all about so as to hide the
tracks, and then found this paper where
had 7
of it then, of course; still l thought that
some other woman might have gone into
Graces room and out again, so I went
there while you were doing up her hand,
and in her closet found her waterproof
cloak and an old dress, all wet and draggled
around the bottom, and a pair of her shoes,
soaked and muddy. Mother, that hand was
hurt at Mr.. Montgomery's house in the
course of that robbery am perfectly sure
of it."
At this moment a servant announced,
through the closed door, that Mr. Fletcher
was in the parlor to see the ladies'. Mrs.
Malcolm hastily dried her tears of grievous
distress.
mot word to him of all this about
Grace Gardiner" she said, as she fastened
away to receive her guest. Jessie took
lowed.
Mr.. Fletcher explained that he had come
out with just enough of business errand to
serve as an excuse. Really, he was off for
a well-earned holiday and would stay all
day if they coaxed him, and all night, too, if
there was a room at his disposal He could
not have done a kinder thing, after the
recent disturbing events, and he knew it.
Of course these events were exhaustively
discussed by all.
at is very mysterious business alto
gether," said Mr. Fletcher. Every night,
of late, there has been a burglary some
where, and the same enterprising artist
executes all the various jobs. The detect
ives are sure of that, because, as you
know, there are schools of burglary, as
there are schools of painting, and these
masterpieces all belong to the same SCHOOL,
us this person of genius supposed to be
man or woman?" asked Jessie, with ex-
travagant carelessness.
"a man, undoubtedly" Mr.. Fletcher re-
piled, with sharp look at his questioner.
And as gentlemanly and aristocratic a
rascal as ever deserved hanging. Romantic,
too. He was well-born and weli-educated;
married charming woman; had pros
porous business, and kept his family in
luxury. He became depraved somehow, and
for years he led double life, maintaining a
high social position on the proceeds of his
criminal enterprise. His wife died of a
broken heart when the exposure came at
asst"
"How is all this known! And who is this
charming rascal!" Jesse asked
He calls himself Ellwood. All. you know
the name already from the papers, see. AS
10 your other question, his history all came
put at the time of his trial, two years ago.
He was arrested after series of just such
ourglaries as these; was tried convicted.
md sentenced to long Imprisonment.
was prosecuting attorney at the time, and
much of the evidence was furnished by my
ION, who is my partner, you know. He is
Tery neat amateur detective, and wish he
would take as much interest in the matter
low, but he don't Well about a week ago
his gray-haired man Of genius Ellwood, es-
;aped from prison, and forty-eight hours |
alter there was q magnificent burglary of |
lis peculiar type. He has been at it ever |
'ince, and the police can't get near him."
Burglary is fascinating topic OF CONVEX
alton, but after time other subjects sup |
planted it, even in that interested group. |
Toward tea-time Mr.. Fletcher remembered |
hat he had writing to do, and must 20 at |
nee to his room.
Il won't come down again." he said, ''if |
Hiss Jessie will kindly bring-not send
ome supper to me. And it will be as well |
lot to mention to any body that am here for |
he night"
The plot thickens," said Jessie, after he |
lad gone. Just think of it; so long as ELL |
vood was in prison Grace Gardiner worked |
uietly at honest employment; but no sooner
oes he escape than she gives up her situa-
ion. and associates herself with him in the |
most mysterious fashion. 1t is terriblew
Mrs. Mslcolm's only answer was to twist |
Ter hands together and CRY SOFTLY