The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-05-16

Mr.. John Wylie had been in the pri-
vate inquiry business for over fifteen
years, and never before had he expert
enced such a reverse. A success in it
would have established his reputation as
a detective forever. But he had failed
utterly and ANONYMOUSLY.
This is how the matters stood when he
was called in by Sir Henry Heavisids to
investigate it. On Nov. 10 Sir Henry
was away from home. On that night,
his wife. Lady Helena, supported by her
father, the Marquis of DOltshire, had
given a little dinner, which was followed
by reception. Her ladyship had, as
usual, been rather slow in dressing, and
when the dinner hour arrived, she was
greatly pressed for time. In her haste
she had neglected TO replace her jewt Il,
which she intended to put on after din
ner ana previous to the reception, in the
safe, and contented herself with locking
the door of her houdoir and putting the
key INTO drawer in her bedroom. At
ter dinner she found the key where she
had left it, and reopened the door. On
re-entering her bOudoir, she discovered,
to her amazement, that the window
was wide open. A moments invesliga
ton showed her that all the jewels she
had left upon her dressing table when
she hurried down to dinner were stolen
Their value was close upon seven thou
sand pounds.
This was, repeat, how the matter
stood when Mr., Wylie was called in, and
practically it was in the same state when
after six weeks laborious investigation,
he gave up the inquiry IN despair. He
/ h,,t hA hnI
nothing. 1t was clear to him that the
robber, whoever he might be, was per-
fectly familiar with the house and with
Lady Hslena's careless ways. 1t was
also clear to him that the window found
open-which was twenty five feet from
the ground, and which showed no evil
dence Of being forced-was left open as
a ruse to mislead the detectives.
As, one day seated in his sanctum, he
was mournfully turning over in his
mind the quest ion of his failure, there
was a knock at the door.
The next moment tall, stately thick
| ly yelled lady was ushered into the de-
tective's private Office Mr.. Wylie offer.
ed her a seat, which she silently accept
ed. AS soon as the door was shut again.
she raised her veil and showed a hand
some, refined face. Then ithout more
ado she introduced herself
Il am Lady MoodIp,n she said, wife
of the banker of that name. And | have
come here in very great trouble, to see
if you can assist me"
"You may rely upon it, madam" said
thedetective, in his pOlitest manner, THAT
| shall use my utmost efforts to do So"
IL will tell YOU" Lady Noodle went
on without noticing Mr.. Wylies remark,
'the whole story as shortly as possible.
Owing to my health, l had TO winter
last year IN Florence. My husbands
business and Parliamentary duties would
not permit him to join me. While liv-
ing there by myself l met an Italian
gentlemen with whom | formed rather
an intimate friendship. You should
know she added hastily, that there
was nothing improper in it, though
much that was imprudent.'
Thinking" she continued, after a
pause, that he was an honorable man, |
frequently wrote to him, and some Of
my letters-one or two of them, at any
rate-wOuld, | am afraid, bear to jeal-
GUS mind very different nearing from
that intended. When l returned home
he followed me. BY my influence he
was received in society here--not only
so, but assist him, from time to time
with money. At last his demands be.
came too exorbitant and | refused them.
Then the miserable scoundrel turned
upon me, and threatened that if l did
not comply with his requests he would
give the letters had written him to my
husband"
May know the gentleman's name =
Count Ulrici."
"Whew The male professional
beauty -
MIR. Wylie, like everybody else, had
heard of the Count. He was considered |
the best looking, best dressed, and best
mounted man TO be seen in Rotten Row. |
He was reputed to be very rich, too, and |
it was this revolution as to the means by |
which he lived that astonished Mr.. |
Wylie.
IL presume" said the detective, after
a pause, you wish me to get possession
of these letters in some way or other Z"
Precisely" answered Lady Noodle.
Mr. Wylie reflected for some moments
in silence, then he said, II really don't
see how can get them without COM
hitting burglarly."
"Couldn't you be induced to risk
that p asked Noodle. eagerly.
The detective started. Evidently her
ladyship was not inclined TO stick at tri-
fles.
"At any rate" he said to her, let burg
larly be the last thing. We may be able
to bit on some easier expedient. Let
me see now" And he reflected a mo-
ment about how many letters are
there ?"
Some forty or fifty"
"Ah, so many He couldn't then
carry them about with him. Has he any
servants =
Just one--a valet-an Italian, like
himself"
Hum. | wonder whether he could
be bribed Most Italians eau. II had
a week or two t. gain his confidence"
Impossible. II five thousand pounds
he not gwen UlricI within a week, the
letters will be 10 my husbands hands"
sob, il that the case =
Yes, SIR Charles and leave for Dark
our place in Doltshire
and the Count says that
this day week he'll follow us, and that
IT, on his arrival, don't give him that
amount he will at once hand the letters
TO my husband"
by Jupiter - exclaimed Mr.. Wylie
jumping excitedly to his feet. "By Ju-
piter, | have him ! Excuse me, my
lady, he added more calmly, 81 think /
see a way out of the maze. Do as you
intended. Let him follow you to Dark
and If he presents himself to
you there, defy him.. You may do so
with IMMUNITY, for by that time he will