Middletown transcript., 1892-10-20
THE ONLY LINK.

THE VNAl hlMkI
| II LADY, chief. The clerk bow
n ed slightly. as with gesture
he intimated to the caller, who had
waited for nearly half an hour in the
ante-room, that she was at liberty to
enter the inner office.
The superintendent of police, stand.
ing upon the threshold where he had
dismissed his last visitor, looked at
tentively at the heavily yelled figure
which moved toward him. Placing
an armchair for her beside his desk,
he seated himselfat his official post
aud waited for her to speak. With
out any hesitation, she threw aside
her veil, glancing around the Office as
if particularly curious as to her sur
roundings. She was woman about
thirty years of age, whose face, though
wearing an expression of the pro-
toundest melancholy, was remarkably
lovely and interesting.
"I have come to you for advice" {"
she said, looking questioningly at the
superintendent.
He was thin, wiry little man, who
with the tips of his forefngers pressed
closely together was regarding her
keenly throug half shut eyes.
shall be most happy to give it,
madam"
The lady smiled slightly-it it was
plain to see that she smiled seldom
at suggestion in his tone.
Perhaps your advice is oftener
asked than taken," she said. "That
il no unusual occurrence anywhere,
and may | say frankly that it is quite
probable I may not act upon yours
The superintendent bowed impres
sively, twinkle in the keen, half shut
eyes.
CA diamond ring" she began,
I" has been stolen from my writing
desk, and under peculiar circum-
stances. The drawer in which it was
placed was intended for a jewel casket,
and its existence, even, known only
to myself I put the ring into the
drawer last night about eleven o'clock.
This morning it was gone, and | have
not the least clew to its disappear
ance."
How was the drawer located ?"
the superintendent asked, as she
paused moment.
It was at the back of another
drawer which had to be taken out be-
fore the casket could be reached. It
was opened by touching a secret
spring
And the desk itself?"l
Was made to order for me some
years ago."
"You say no one but yourself knew
Of the existence Of this drawer 7"
"No one but the cabinet maker
and-my husband-who died three
years ago."
The tone died away in whisper.
So the confirmed melancholy of the
face, the heavy Grape shrouding the
slender figure-these were accounted
for.
81 must know something Of your
house-your family; madam"
My house is three-story brown.
stone in the middle of the block, on
Uhler avenue. My sleepiDg-room is
the rear room on the second floor.
The desk stands in an extension at
the rear of that, and at right angles
with the window. I have no family
save my servants, a housekeeper,
whose son lives ia the house, and a
colored cook"
What is your opinion Of the
honesty Of these p ersons ?"
The cook has never to my know
ledge entered those rooms. My
housekeeper, an old lady and dear
friend, is above suspicion. So also is
her son"
The superintendent shrugged his
shoulders significantly.
You probably in your profession
suspect everybody" the lady said a
little sharply.
Pardon, madam, not everybody.
Is her son employed about the house"
"He-I at one time employed him
as coachman, but he was not trust
| worthy"
Yet above suspicion, you say ?"
He is fond of liquor. I do not
believe that he is thief. Last night
he did not come home at all"
"AhF
"You seem to attach some signi-
fcance to that fact"
! aThat is inevitable"