Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-15


but. returning now to Mr.. Durand."
II was lonely" she said drearily; Bertha
never loved him."
"And you appreciated his merits betterP'
I Interrupted, to relieve her of an embar-
RAISING confession. "But why did you dis
miss him?"
81 would not have had the strength even
If had the desire. We parted friends; he
wished it, dared not detain him."
His heart was gone elsewhere?"
His honor was concerned elsewhere. l
would not advise evil, even for my happi-
| ness"
ut was q woman?"
"Yes; wretched woman"
"You were acquainted with her?"
II never saw her.
'The lady is rich?"
''As poor as himself, and am powerless
to help him."
"Powerless for what, madam"
ITO help him or myself. As you are
here, however, let me mention personal
matter, and ask for your advice" She
gazed at me with her sad, serious eyes, and
added in the calmest OF voices: ST am being
robbed, Detective Fox"
"Robbed?"
$50 fear" This she spoke softly, al
most in whisper. "I miss some jewels,
and what is of more Importance, certain
papers"
"How long has this been going on7"
II cannot say. needed certain jewelry,
and found it gone; wished to look at GER
tain papers; I looked for them. and found
them gone. When they were taken, I can
not say"
"DO you suspect anybody"
"No one."
"Your maid?"
''Nor' This with decided negative shake
of the head. 81 would rather suspect my
possibly know where keep my jewels and
nv papers. Yoa shall Judge for yourself"
She rose, touched a spring in the side of
her private desk, and little door swung
open, revealing cavity in which there was
a small iron safe. She took out this little
safe, and, by manipulating anumber of tiny
nobs, opened the door,
81 keep my jewels and my papers in this
little safe, Detective Fox, and nobody knows
the combination but myself"
'At least the thief must know il" said,
peeping curiously into the little cavity in
the desk, In which I saw glittering thing
that attracted my attention.
That is what astonishes me. How I have
been robbed do not know; but have not
the shadow OF suspicion against Miss
Grande."
what have you lost up to date?" I asked.
taking out my notebook to write down the
items. Let me say that I had not much
faith in the stealing business, but made
show of being deeply interested.
II have lost one solitaire diamond ring,
one emerald ring surrounded with pearls,
one bracelet representing a serpent with
small diamonds tor eyes, an old-fashioned
chain necklace Of plain gold and three
papers,"
She spoke with business, almost me
chanical, calmness.
"What were the papers?"
"Of interest only to myself"
"No one would have any interest in
stealing them?"
She paused long time as if in consider
ing, and then said slowly:
mo one would have any interest in steal
ing them"
She had locked the little safe and was
putting it away when 1 said:
''The thieves had no interest in that lit
tie toy"
I pointed to a dagger in 9 metal case
that was lying in the cavity of the desk.
speaking she had pushed to the door of the
secret hiding place. and, for the present
baked me in my intentions"
at is cheap metal, Detective Fox, but I
value it on account OF the memories at
tached to it."
I was dazed by the unnatural calmness,
but managed to say:
"I will do my best to discover the thief,
Mrs. Glaye."
"You are very kind. am sorry that I
can give you no details to guide you"
"Does anyone know of the robbery"
"No one but yourself"
you did not tell your daughter"
"My adopted daughter least of anybody.
But that is a family history with which I
need not trouble your
I appeal to the wise reader and ask him
what he makes of this strange narrative.
am not ashamed to confess that, for the time
being, my brain was all muddled. 1t was
little bit of light to know that the woman
was in love with Cyril Durand, and that she
would have broken a long kept VOW to
marry him. It was also helpful to know
that there was a rival in the case, and if. as
believed, the murdered woman was the
rival, the way to the end was still clearer.
The rest of her story did not interest me;
but will say, despite her seeming frank
honesty, had strong suspicion that she
was trying to throw dust in my ewes. Place
pistol or a dagger in her strong hand, and
bring her face to face with a rival "spoon-
and had no doubt of the result.
The point now was to drop in on the man
Durand, and tor this purpose rose and
bid Mrs. Giaye farewell, determining to
send up to the city for couple of assistants,
that the good lady's future actions might
be known. As l was about to leave the
room she said, with her serious eyes staring
at me:
''To help you have revealed history
that no other living person knows. IF
there are any other formalities, end them
now while am in the mood"
''There is nothing more at present.
paused, then said suddenly to take her una
wares: 1.-The fact is, madam, to answer
fiankness with frankness, murder has
been committed, and many people here sus-
pect Mr.. Durand as the murderer"
cit is calumnyl" she retorted, angrily.
Then with desolate sigh, 'tHe loved her!
You make a mistake, Detective Fox; 1
would as soon suspect myself as Mr.. Du-
randi"
Very likely, my lady, I thought. Birds
of feather flock together. and crime is not
always confined to the cutters. But 1 was
determined that the man Durand should see
me before he saw prettier face, and I
bowed to my lady with as respectful a man
ner as if believed every word she uttered.
On the veranda came face to face with
the pretty unknown with the black hair,
who had placed spray of wild white asters
in the warm nest formerly occupied by the
golden rod. She displayed no surprise at
my sudden appearance, but entered the
house after greeting me with q pleasant lit !
tie nod.
(To be continued nezt Sunddy.)