The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-10-23
''You will undertake to find the crin

!
the Indian idol had rested for these
many years, until the previous night,
when it had mysteriously disappeared.
This ring lost three days ago" said
she, holding up diamond circlet for my
inspection, land l found it in the bot
tom Of Jessie's trunk"
But you found nothing of the Indian
god"
NO"
"You are, Of course, sure 1t IS not In
the trunk"
81 am. l went through it in a thor.
ough manner"
Then we must look elsewhere for the
lost idol. We're you absent from home
! at any time yesterday"
Yes; but the idol was in its accus-
toned place when l returned at night"
Are you sure?"
81 am sure"
"How about this window"
cit is always securely fastened"
And the door,"
Il 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 SAUNDERS, Mrs. Good
ale?"
81 can't account for that, unless she
has duplicate key"
That is not likely, unless the girl is
a professional thief" said.
''Oh, she's not that l know Miss
Darling has 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 trunk?"
''Oh, she did not attempt to lit, only
burst out crying. l suppose she thought
that would soften me, but it didn't, nor
make me think her an innocent Great
| ure. l think she's the thief fast
! enough, but l hate to lose the idol, and
If you can scare her into 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
ever, undecided as to whether Mrs
Goodale had put up job on the girl,
or had really been robbed.
Ispoke 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 I, permit me to carry
out little plan of my own, to do which,
l 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 TIL
| to your aunt"
LAS you please"
Thus it was settled. Jessie mad 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 l could roam about at
will during the slum bers of the inmates
could not get over the idea that Mrs.
Goodale had plotted to disgrace her
maid for purpose, and meant to trap
her if possible.
l had not long to wait.
just week after my arrangement
with Walter l slipped from my couch,
fully clothed, and haunted the corridors
of the old house, as 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 I 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 came near
uttering cry.
Passing along the hallway was a
white-robed figure, and the sight of a
| second nocturnal wanderer quite startled
me.
While stood dumb, almost petrifed,
the figure disappeared.
l 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 run: maging in a drawer of the
old dresser
''Confound itr' said voice, Pm sure
it's in here
l started at the sound of that voice.
Presently the figure stole out through
the door, and went swiftly down the
hall, till another open door was reached
OF course I followed, quite puzzled
and interested.
The night-prowler entered the room,
and knelt beside Walter Goodale's bed.
What was he about to do? Commit a
murder? I was on the point of spring.
ing forward, when the ghostly form lay
fiat on the carpet, and seemed to be
reaching for something.
"Ah! have it now.''
When the form would have risen,
sprang forward, and landed astride its
back.
Hello! What the deuce-'
scratched match and held it close
to the face of my prisoner. 1t was Wal
ter Goodale! After moment got up
and lit the gas.
The young man looked sheepish
enough as he stared at me, then at his
single garment.
what the deuce does it mean, Deer
ing?" said he. "Am dreaming, or did
fall out of bed?"
Neither. said I. What have you
in your hand, Mr.. Goodale%'
"Eh? In my hand?''
He lifted his right hand, and opened
it from glittering object.
"Well, by the powers!" exclaimed the
young man; ''it's the stolen idol"
YES" said 1, land you are the thief,
Walter Goodale"
A look of blank dismay covered the
face of the young man. He admitted