Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-09-17
"A VERY PECULIAR CASE.
How Played Thief and Detective
at the Same Time.

At the time it happened-thirty years
=ago-I was bachelor, living in a
.drawing-room communicating by fold
ing doors with the bedroom behind it,
mot hundred miles from the Regent
-circus None of the fur niture was my
own save one or two easy chairs, a
writing table and rather shabby, di-
Iapidated old bureau or escritoire-a
relic Of my great-grand fathers, l be-
1ieve, and preserved by me as repre-
.senting pretty nearly all the property 1
lever inherited. 1t stood in the darkest
corner of the sittingroom, though near
one of the two long French windows. 1
seldom went to it, using it's numerous
drawers, plgeon-holes, etc, only as re-
-ceptacles for odd receipts. bills, papers
land few old accumulations of no
value, which for some reasons l, did not
wish to destroy. The key to its circular
top had, with reprehensible careless
ness in suchmatters, mislaid for weeks
This gave me no concern. 1 could look
for it when Il wanted it-that was
enough. Other dodgers were in the
house, which was kept by a retired
butler and his wife, who with three
servants attended on the inmates.
A young mans life in London, with
>quently involves him in late hours
when he has large circle of acquain-
tances. 1t was SO with me, especially
during one particular season. Operas.
7theaters, suppers and dances crowded
SO thick and fast upon each other that,
for nights together, 1 never had more
than three or four hours in bed-al-
ways having to be up early. Then, by
degrees, when l could turn in in rea-
.sonable time, 1 could not sleep, and on
this account even the thought of
long night in bed gradually became a
terror to me. The fact is, my nervous
system was becoming thoroughly I'M
strung. though at the time l did not
know what that meant. Certainly
never thought of it as an illness, and
equally certain would have secuted any
idea of seeking advice about it.
In addition, another thing was wor-
-rying me greatly. For the past month
or more 1 felt convinced 1 was being
robbed. l did not possess much jewel
ry, but was constantly missing GER
tain little trinkets and small articles.
Among others a silver match box,
large crocodile leather gold mounted
Cigar case, pair of gold sleeve links,
a small locket containing some of my
mothers ana fathers hair, set of
studs. a pearl breastpin, and the like.
Also pocket letter or card case, which
we'll knew contained two onc-pound
Scotch bank notes-unusual money,
not easily forgotten. 1 felt sure that
with every allowance for careless hab-
its these and many another similar OBJ
ject had vanished in the most unac-
countable way. Search high and low
as l would they were not to be found
= anywhere in ny rooms
1 had lived there nearly two years
when this veXatiOn began, and / knew
not whom to suspect 1t was horribly
awkward and most unpleasant. The
landlord and his wife bore unimpeach-
able characters, and 1 could never have
looked either of them in the face again
had / breathed the faintest suspicion of
their honesty. Three other men, two
-of whom 1 knew slightly. were lodging
in the house, as I have said, but as to
;suspecting them of this petty larceny
the idea was out of the question. No,
it must be one of the servants. But
which? One of the three was lad of
sixteen. He was a newcomer, truly.
The two women were in the house
when took up my quarters there-re-
spectacle elderly parties
l did not know what to do for the
best. To lock up the rooms was impos-
'sible, and even to do the same with all
my drawers. writing table, wardrobe,
= etc, now after never having previously
turned key on anything, would be at
once to cast a slur on the establish
ment Besides, never could tell ex-
-acey when missed this or that article,
because, as l repeat. my careless ways
nad OFTEN led me to imagine that had
lost a thing when merely mislaid it.
PRESENTLY the idea occurred to me
that would set q trap. I left !. small
sovereign purse in a corner drawer Of
the dressing table, whence 1 could de-
.clxre many trinkets and valuables had