Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-02-28
I don't see said Mr.. Redwolt, "ho,

| Gan lneTe nave Ocen ll!eVtS ABOUT
suggested Mr.. Hayne the chief book
keeper.
Il never thought of that returned
Mr.. Relwolf, Take a look over the
different floors and see if anything else
is missing
A thorough over hauling of the diff
feren' departments developed the fact
that fifty thousand dollars worth Of
stock had disappeared.
The robberies had evidently been 60
ing on for some time, and very syste
maticalIy. This shocking discovery
amazed every one, particularly the por-
ter, whose face wore solemn look Of
wonder The matter was talked Of all
day by the employees, who wondered
who the thieves were how they had
got in and out when, what had been
done with the goods; and how snch
heavy losses might possibly effect the
firm.
This was not the end of it. Addi-
tionaI theits were committed, evidently
during the night. and the most va'ua-
BILE portion of the stock was floating
rapidly away.
Private watchnen were employed for
while, and even the clerks and sales
men took turns at keeping watch over
the building both within and without.
The thehs then ceased. No one was
seen lurking about the building. FL
nally the vigil was discontinued then
mysterious robberies began again.
Clearly the work WAS doue In tue
night; and yet the doors and windows
were always found fastened in the
morning just as they had been left.
On entering the counting room early
one morning, found strange man
alone with Mr.. Redwof
He was common looking and | fan
cied he might be asking for situation
rs porter but his tone when he spoke
showed him to bs Of more importance
than one might have imagined.
1t Was so imprudent he said. You
shouldn t have told any one
But my dear sir, demonstrated Mr..
Rcdwolf, / would take my life on all of
them
'IIumph 2 said the stranger, vcxa-
tiousIy. Here's another, and he eyed
me kcenly.
It instantly occurred to me that he
was a detective, and his suspicious
glance brought flush to my face,
which, in his eyes may have had quite
guilty look:
Nay as well tell him now, said the
strang4r but let it go on further. Re-
meWb4r that in our work we have to
reverse the presumption OF the court
that every man is innocent till proved
guilty. Tell him-no doubt we can
trust him
The fact is, said Mr., Relwolf to me,
this gentleman is Mr.. Kool, the letce
tive, and is here to lJok after these
robberlcs. | had already tod Mr..
Hayne and I haye equal confidence in
you. l could Lot suspect any one in
my employ, but We must do as the off
Ger says. 50 don't tell any one who
he is.
/ certainly won't, l said.
Aud a. | took my place at my desk,
the detectives eyes followed ne closely,
ana knew that my face must again
have assumed a strawberry color at the
bare possibility Of being su p2cted.
A moment later, Mr.. Hayne and Mr.
Nrgge came in, and were strictly eau
toned to keep Mr.. Kool's real charac-
ter secret.
He was to work about the store and
assist John, who often had rather too
much work to do for one man 50 Mr..
kool took off his coat and went to
work.
Several weeks passed there were no
more thetts, nor any discoveries made.
Finally, the supposed assistant, porter
WAS dismissed, as entirely incompetent,
and on the very night the store was
again entered, and five thousand dol
lars worth of silk carried away.
The same mysterious hand had done
the work. 1t was so strange. The
keys had been lately carried by Mr..
Redwolf himself and the iron shutters
were well secured within. How did
the thief or thieves gain admittance ?
! was walking toward home that
evening, when hand touched my
shoulder, and | found Mr.. Redwolf be-
hind me. | noticed that he looked
troubled, and thought his hair was
graver than ever before.
1 want to speak to you ? he said
with a faint smile. 4 begin to believe