Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-24
THE SOMNAMBULIST.


resort of taking boarders. Now calami-
ty had come upon her, she was about to
lose her best-paying boarder-lose him
just as the winter was coming on, and
the thousand and one extra expenses
which cold weather is certain to create
all to be met.
Mrs. Moffet was a meek little woman,
timid and retiring; she disliked change
in her household affairs, she had dis
liked worry and anxiety, being natural
" cheerful and lively in disposition,
and she did like Mr.. Montgomery,
And now this cold morning in the
early winter Mrs. Moffett was forced to
stand face to face with the truth. He
was going away. Amy why? All, that
was the worst of it! He had lost money
"a large amount-from his room, and
refused to longer remain in a house
where thieves were harbOred.
Mrs. Moffet listened to Mr.. Mont
gomery'S story with alternate horror,
terror, despair. At its close she burst
into tears.
'Oh, dear! 1t is awful!'' she sobbed
"You know that [ am ignorant of the
whereabouts of your money; and oh,
it will ruin my house fit gets known"
Can't help it, ma'am. Very sorry,
I'm sure; but then it's mere case of
self-defense. Can't stay in a house
where | am liable to-to-be robbed
And then Mrs. Moffet bowed with as
much dignity as though she were an
empress.
VERY well, sir. You know best, of
hin
ready in few moments, and you-''
Stay, Mrs. Moffet. | will not leave
until my month is up, which will be in
three days, | believe"
Mrs. Moffet bowed once more.
''As you like, sir. In the meantime
we will do all in our power to recover
the missing money"
But Mr.. Truman Montgomery looked
blank
Poor little thing! How pale she
looks,n he said to himself, as he went
back to his room to 90 through with q
long and fruitless search once more
then a man can't stay in a house anc
look upon it as home when he is al
ways losing money. First, it was tina
package of twenty pounds didn'
say word to Mrs. Motfet about that
for fear of hurting her feelings-anc
then it was five pound note, anc
now-now it is this package of thous
and pounds. Too much to lose. AL
together too much. | declare. Yet
wish it had not happened here. Luc,
Motfet is the sweetest little woman
alive, think"
And at that very moment the sweet
est little woman alive" was shut up il
her own room in close cOnfab will
Frank Glyndon, one of the boarders
who was also private detective.
He tells me, madame, that he ha
lost money here, before" the youn,
man is saying as he studies Mrs. Mot
fet's pale, agitated face intently; IAN,
/ really think-for the reputation 0
the house, if for no other reason-yo
ought to have this mystery cleared up
Pm in favor of searching the board
ers.n
'Nfercyr shrieked Mrs. Moffet II
wouldn't do, Mr.. Glvndon. I'd los
the last one. Fancy searching Colone
Overton and his stylish, fashionabl
wife-or their rOoms-to find stole
package of money. Mono! What
ever YOU may see fit to do in this sa
business must be done secretly"
The detective took new tack.
Mrs. Motfet; there is a closet a6
joining Mr.. Montgomery's room. Ma
l occupy it tonight? | have an idea
and would like to prove if my theory
correct. If you consent, | will slip il
to the closet after Montgomery has re
tired (there is another door. you know,
and in the morning | will make
faithful report to you"
At last it was settled. There wer
only three nights before Mr.. Mon
gomery's intended departure. The
must make the best of the time.
The next morning Frank Glyndo
smiled knowingly in Mrs. Motfet's d
rection when he met her at the breaF
fast-table. The smile and the loo
which accompanied it met Mr.. Mon
gomery's eye, and straightway
strange conviction was aroused in h
breast What did it mean? That Nj
Glyndon was detective he did nc
dream Shortly after breakfast W.
over he saw Glyndon slip folde
scrap of paper into the widows plum
hand The sight made Montgomer
gnash his teeth.
IA billet-doux!m he muttered. Her
this is going on right before my eye
l suppose there will be a weddin
next!' and Mr.. Truman Montgomery
as he left the house and wendell h
way downtown in search of ne
boarding place, certainly did not fe
comfortable.
Now the scrap of paper had co
tanned these words.
Il have found out the mystery. Ha
some of the boarders-all of them,
you like-in the upper hall tonight
about eleven o'clock, and you will lea
the truth. 1t was just as | had suspe(
ed
Eleven struck in loud tones from t
big clock on the stairs, and most of t
boarders, obedient to hasty SUI
mons, appeared in the hall outside t
door of Mr. Truman Montgomery
room. A little later the door W
opened noiselessly from within and t
boarders saw before them Mr.. Fra
Glvndon. He laid his finger to his
and pointed within the room. This
what they saw by the light of the h
gas; Truman Montgomery, in dressi
gown and slippers-but sound ASLEEP
working away diligently at the emf
CRATE.
Two dozen eyes watched with brea
less eagerness while Mr.. Truman Mo