Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-09

we entertain no shadow of doubt"
The public clamor became so great that
long before the police had concluded their
Investigations the prisoners were released,
with an intimation from the Bench that any
attempt on their part to leave the nelghDor-
hood would be construed as supplying new
element of suspicion against them that
would Justify their rearrest.
At. last the astute Mr.. Jorkins, COM
pletely frustrated in all his attempts, gave
up the task, withdrew his men from Clump
lice had failed to discover Mr.. Fraser dead,
they would now endeavor to unearth his
hldlng-place and discover him alivel Act
ing on the hint of the Rissborough hide
pendent, the police ceased to keep q watch
on the movements of the incriminated per-
sons, believing that if they were left free to
come and go, means would be found before
long to discover where Mr.. Fraser was hid
den. The opportunity thus afforded was
seized upon for flight, and the news was not
long in circulating that the birds had gone
and left their nests empty.
When Mr.. Jorkins gave up the game,
Fred Cameron sent for Doggett, who had
returned to his post at the Universal, while
the tedious search of the local police was
proceeding.
A council of war was held on the evening
of Doggett's arrival, in private room at
the Phoenix, consisting of Doggett, Mr.. and
Airs. Cameron and Mr.. Veil um. Mrs. CAM
eron and Doggett were the only two mem
bers of the party who maintained an air of
cheerlulness.
Doggett was in excellent spirits, only to
be accounted for on the supposition that it
was his opinion that the failure of Mr.. Jor-
kins was the prophecy Of his own success.
Mrs. Cameron was gay and hopeful, perhaps
in order to counteract the gloom and de-
spondency of her husband. Fred and Mr..
Ve]lum frankly declared that Doggett was
the leader of forlorn hope. But Doggett
was irrepressible, offering to "bet his head"
that before to-morrow's sun went down the
mystery at Clump Cottage would be un-
raveled-and at Clump Cottage, too! he
added.
Later in the evening they were Joined by
one of the local police whom Fred, by a
judlcious use of "backsheesh," " had induced
to meet them in camera and detail every
step that the police had taken toward un-
raveling the battling secret. This man,
Marshall, was one of the most trusted men
under Mr.. Jorkins, and had never quilted
his side during the long and wearisome
search. His story was long one, and when
finished, Mr.. Vellum shook his head grave
ly, and Fred became more detected than
ever. ~
81 cannot see what more can be done than
has already been DONE" Mr.. Vellum said.
SIT looks fshy, must say" Doggett re-
piled; "but for your confident assertion that
you examined all those boxes 1 should have
thought it likely they might hold the clew. !"
''But that is impossible" :" Marshall af-
frmed with great emphasis. "We un-
screwed them everyone, and they held
nothing but books"
GLOW many boxes were there?" Mrs.
Cameron asked.
Fourteen altogether. No, am quite
sure" the man on, ''that you will only give
yourself trouble for nothing, Mr. Doggett,
if you lift those unwieldly chests (for they
are big chests, four feet square, and un-
common heaVy) thinking to find anything
besides books. There's rare lot of them,
but nothing else"
The conference broke up soon after this;
and when the party met at breakfast the
next morning Mrs. Cameron encountered
Doggett with smiling face.
''I believe that you and I are going to
solve this mystery at last, }" she said.
II would sooner have your help than
twenty men," Doggett returned gallantly;
mated account of his experiences of the
keen wit shown by female detectives.
After breakfast the party set out in a
wagonette drawn by pair of horses. As
they were taking their places, Mrs. Cameron
contrived to whisper in Doggett's ear.
"Get two or three good screw-drivers if you
can quietly"
Doggett suggested that they might call at
the police station and invite Mr.. Jorkins to
be present at the solution of the enigma,
and, Fred making no demur, the suggestion
was adopted.
Jorkins at first declined to make one of
party bent on wild goose chase, but
allowed himself to be persuaded, after much
argument, if he might bring witness with
him. He even consented on those terms to
bring the screwdrivers with him that had
been employed in vain on former occasion.
His condition was complied with, and while
he was accommodated with seat inside,
Marshall, in plain clothes, mounted the box
and sat by the side of the driver.
The bright face of Mrs. Cameron, and her
clear steady eyes shining with intelligence,
set Doggett ruminating as they were being
driven along to Clump Cottage.
"What could it mean?" he asked himself.
"That httle woman has some scheme in her
head, I will swear. Screwdrivers, indeed!
L will take the hint and see where it leads
to-"
Accordingly, upon arriving at Clump
Cottage, Doggett was first out of the vehi-
Gle, and, with an air Of determination, he
announced that the first place he meant to
visit was the room where the unpacked
books of Mr.. Fraser were kept.
Jorkins gave a dissatisfied grunt, and
cast look of unmitigated contempt on the
speaker.
When they reached the room Doggett
turned to Jorkins and inquired, "How
many of these chests are there ?'' kicking
one Of them with his boot
Fourteen of them," Jorkins replied.
"We examined them all, and found every
one filled with books"
"When did you do this 2" asked Doggett.
"We examined the boxes when we
searched the house the first time" Jorkins
replied.
Not on the second occasion, then?"
Certainly not What use would that
be? We had ascertalned before that they
contained nothing but books"
"The first thing we have to do, said Mrs.
Cameron, putting an end to the discussion,
"will be to see if the number tallies.''
'You have just taken the very words out.
of my mouth" Doggett replied.
But the task was not light one. All
the chests had been made by the same
maker, were stoutly made, a little more than
four feet square; and being well filled with
books, required considerable strength to
move. But Fred. and Mr.. Vellum helped
Doggett with right good will, while Jor-
kins and his subordinate, Marshall, con-
vinced that they were wasting time and
strength, looked on.
The chests were IN an unfurnished room
upstairs, and were piled one upon another
in an irregular fashion.
'Why, all the boxes are screwed down
again." Doggett exclaimed. "What ON
earth did vnn 10 that fnr0'