The Colfax chronicle., 1890-12-06

the Indian idol had rested for these
many years, until the previous night,
when it had mysteriously disappeared.
''This ring lost three days age" said
she, holding up a diamond circlet for my
inspection, land found it in the bot
tom of Jessie's trunk"
''But you found nothing of the Indian
godg'
NO"
"You are. of course, sure it is not in
the trunk?"
81 am. l went through it in thor
ough manner"
"Then we must look elsewhere for the
lost idol. Were you absent from home
at any time yesterday"
"Yes; but the idol was in its accus-
toned place when returned at night"
''Are you sure?"
81 am sure"
"How about this Window"
"It is always securely fastened"
"And the door?"
81 always secure that the last thing
before retiring"
l regarded her keenly.
"Then, how do you account for the
maids entering the room without even
interrupting your slumbers, Mrs. Good
ale?"
81 can't account for that, unless sne
has duplicate key"
THAT is not likely, unless the girl is
professional thief" said.
"Oh, she's not that l know Miss
Darling has a good mother, and-but,
you see. found my lost ring in her
trunk, and that seems conclusive evil
dence."
"What did she say when you told her
about the ring? How did she explain its
presence in her trunkY'
''Oh, she did not attempt to do it, only
burst out crying. suppose she thought
that would soften me, but it didn't, nor
make me think her an innocent Great
ure. think she's the thief fast
enough, but hate to lose the idol, and
If you can scare her into a confession,
and return of the stolen property, /
shall be very lenient."
81 will see." was my only reply.
l was now quite positive that Miss
Darling was not the thief. / was, how
ever. undecided as to whether Mrs
Goodale had put up job" on the girl,
or had really been robbed.
spoke to Walter. and suggested the
former theory, at which he secuted,
having full confidence in his aunt, no
matter how much she may have disliked
the thought Of his, Walters, advances
toward the maid.
'Well," said /, permit me to carry
out little plan of my own, to do which,
must have free access to the house day
and night"
''Of course that is granted" said the
young man.
"And. mind you, say nothing of this
to your aunt"
''As you please"
Thus it was settled. Jessie had gone
to her home, making no attempt to fee,
and her trunk was sent after her.
was given room in an unused quar-
ter of the house, which occupied only
at night quite unknown to Mrs. Good
ale. Walter gave me keys to all the
rooms, so that i could roam about at
will during the slumbers of the inmates
l could not get over the idea that Mrs
Goodale had plotted to disgrace her
maid for purpose, and meant to trap
her If possible.
had not long to wait
just week after MY arrangement
with Walter slipped from my couch,
fully clothed, and haunted the corridors
of the old house, as l had done every
night Of my sojourn under its roof.
Tonight my vigils were to meet with
reward.
A white-robed figure stole from Mrs.
Goodale's room, and, hurrying down the
hall, pushed open the door to the room
lately occupied by Jessie Darling, and
entered. Moonlight streamed into the
hall, and / recognized the face Of the
widow. Doubtless she was bent on more
mischief
Quickly and noiselessly / stole to the
door and locked it. thus making Mrs.
Goodale . prisoner.
l turned about then. and camo near
uttering cry.
Passing along the hallway was a
white-robed figure, and the sight of
second nocturnal wanderer quite startled
me.
While stood dumb, almost petrifed.
the figure disappeared
breathed more freely now, and soon
crept softly in the steps of the last
night-prowler.
The door of the widows room stood
open. / looked in to see my ghostly
walker runmaging in drawer of the
old dresser.
''Confound it!' said voice. Pm sure
it's in here"
lstsrted ct the sound Of that VOICE.