Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-11-29
BURLINGTON PkEss FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30 1889

ii temporary home with her parents, and
Eliza Fleming having been dismissed.
"Have you any theory in regard 70 the
nurderW asked Austin.
YES" said Mr.. Mixer.
MAY ask what it is.n
NO" said Mr. Mixer.
sit would seem," said Austin, little vexed,
las if the blow must have fallen from the
clouds"
COR from the upper veranda, D." said the de-
tective, grimly.
Austin started "Surely," he exclaimed
"you do not suspect any of the Davis family"
"No," replied MIR. Mixer.
The detective mounted the steps, and bend
ms over rubbed his hand lightly on the
green lattice railing Of the piazza. The paint
not yet hard, and some of it came Of
upon his fingers
when was this paint put nv he inquired
"On the day before the murder Davis
spoke about it as we walked from the ste-
ton
"Who are the occupants of the other houses
Oh this silel'
Austin named them. All old and well
known residents, who had lived in the same
street for years. No, there was one eXcep-
tion-Nadame Auvergne, a French teacher,
who had hired No. Ia short time since but
Of course no suspicion could rest upon her--A
woman.
"Of course not - said MIR. Mixer
"Besides,' sand Austin, laughing, 'she
could prove an abb. | saw her writing in
her chamber at the very hour when.it is sup
posed that this murder tooi place.
"Ah!n observed Mr.. Mixer.
Can be Of any further service!7 asked
Austin. not well pleased at this monosyllabic
conversation on the part of his companion
II am afraid my dinner is getting cold
Not at present, ] think, replied the de-
t'ct.yc. ~ am very much obliged to YOU
Guod day sir" M Mixer nodded pleas
autiv. and, thus dismissed. Austin turned,
crossed the street aud entered his own dwell
ms.
M sooner had Austin disappeared from
view than MIR Mixer left the yard Of No.
aud proceeded directly to No. O. \ ring at
be-. bell brought to the door "A dark complex
iun-d maid. and an inquiry for Madam Au-
yersne elected the information that madame
WIS out. Would monsieur step into the par
and wait! Madame was expected t. re-
,ulu soon. Mr.. Nike walked into the par!or
a'l tool. Il seat Then 5he parlor door was
,,o>e1 and he was left alone
The closing ot tie door was the signal for
Hr. Mixers keen gray eye to spring into I'M
u.cdiate activity. No deputy sheriff just put
iatu "pos-ossiuIl" ever mvuutoricd the con-
tents Of a room more rapidly or thoroughly
than did this active eye Of Nj Mixers The
apartment va rather sumptuouslv furnished,
but neither carpets. pictures nor hric-a-bruc
held the attention Of the detective long One
article only at the farther end of tile room
cXrited in Mr.. Mixer any interest whatever
This was lady, writing case, lying open
upon IA small liable in the corner. Pens, ink
ANA paper were s;rcwn about it IN some CON
fusion. as though its owner had been called
away suddenly and had forgotten its cOndi-
tuH.
Mr. Mixer, saunteriug around the room
with hi, hands behind him, halted before
this table. An ebony paper knife, inlaid
with pearl, lay across some papers. Mr..
Mixer took IT up and turned it over critic
ally
The initials M L. from j. D. imlaid
upon the back caused "a slight elevation of
Mr.. Mixers eyebrows Lifting the lid of
the desk LIE looned within. Broken pens,
odds and ends Of sealing wax, few house
hold recipes. some sheets of notepaper and
a small bundle OF old letters, tied with
faded ribbon, met hi. gaze. II was a wo-
mans writing case with the usual contents.
Footsteps sounded through the hall, and
Mt. Mixer Hau Only tlllle TO close the llu ana
slide back to his seat before the door opened
and IA dark c1nneXoMel maid entered the
room. With searching glance at the
visitor she proceeded 10 tine table, swept the
papers from it, locked the desk, and taking
II under her arm again left the parlor
No sooner Ead the door closed tlau Mr..
Mixer INDUCED in aod.e extraordinary pro-
ceeciugs. Rising from his scat, he made
low bow to an imaginary v.s-I-Yts. Then
taking from his pocket, one after the other,
a series Of documents, he read them rapidly,
holding the paper i'll a position to be in
stantly concealed should he be interrupted,
and keeping one eye almost ceaselessly upon
the door.
His solitary amusement was interrupted
by the entrance Of Madame Auvergne, and
Mr.. Mixer, rising, beheld before him raw
i>hlngly beautiful woman, not over 30 years
of age, who advanced gracefully to the center
Of the room and greeted him with the slightest
possible gesture of inquiry.
II believe" said Mr.. Mixer bowling, that
| am addressing Madame Auvergne.n
1T is true, replied the lady, in pleasant
voice. Can be of service to you('