Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-02-24

other servants were in the study
while l was at breakfast p
Il don't think any of them were,
sir. Mary was waiting on the table,
and when | got back from a short
errand. Cook and Susan were both in
the kitchen. No, sir, they couldn't
have been here"
"Well, James, some one must have
moved the things on my desk. 90
and tell all the servants to come here
at once, but don't say why they are
wanted
By an early mail that morning Mr..
Duncombe had received, from one OF
his tenants, named Symons, SlOO
bill. He had eutered the number,
denomination and bank OF the bill in
his memorandum book and was about
writing a receipt when his little ten
vear-old son, Willie, called him to
breakfast. He put the envelope and
money TO one side for the present,
and left his study. When he re
turned he could find neither, and 1t
was then he had rung for and ques-
toned the boy, James lnglis, who was
now gone on his errand.
When James came back he was
followed by all his fellow-servants'
greatly wondering at the unwonted
summons.
Beginning with the old cook, Mr..
Duncombe asked each whether he or
she had entered the study while
breakfast was in progress. All
answered in the negative, and were
dismissed from further attendance
all except James.
Now, James, said Mr.. Duncombe,
what am | to think? No one, ex-
cspt yourself, has been in this room
since | left the money here, and yet ii
is gone. If you have taken It, I'll for
give you on condition that you re
turn it at once and make full con
fession.n
The boy turned pale, and trembled
so violently that he was obliged to SIT
down.
Feeling quite certain Of his guilt
Mr.. Duncombe said You wont
confess then? was anxious to spare
YOU. But now | must call an Of
ficcr.n
"Oh. sir. don't do that. 1t vii
break my mothers heart ! am in
nocent. Indeed l AIN, sir - cried the
boy.
NO, James, l must give you into
custodyn-apd stepping to the tele
phone he called up the nearest police
station, requesting that detective
in plain clothes be sent him at once.
In a few minutes the officer ar
rived, and, having been informed oi
the circumstances, proceeded to
search the frightened boy. He soon
discovered, as he thought, a first
clue: for although James had in his
possession only few cents in money
his vest pocket contained a brand
new and rather costly silver watch.
"Ho, no, my boy when, where
and how did you get this p inquired
the shrewd examiner, while Mr.. Dun
combe fairly groaned in anguish.
Il got it, at breakfast time this
morning. from Mr.. Levy's shop, JUS
around the corner. 1t cost twenty
dollars. | bought it four or five
months ago, and have been paying
fifty cents a week on it ever since
This morning | paid the last ten dol
lals. all in lump, and then got it.
"Ah and where, pray, did you &c
the money!
My brother Joe gave it to me las
night. Mr. Duncombe knows tina
Joo's a sailor on the brig 'Vesta, tina
rms between here and Havana. He
came to say good-by last night, anC
then he gave me a $40 gold piece"
And did the other servants se'
YOUR brother and the money, anC
have they seen your watch 2?
"Yes. sir-no, sir. They all saw Joe
but they didn't see the money. h'
gave il 10 Inc when we were walking
down the street. We would have go
the watch then, only Levy was shu
up. When | came back | didn't sa.
ANYTHING about the gold piece, be
cause wanted to surprise cook an'
the rest of them with the watch thi
morning. Bat just as | got back fron
LEWIS Mr.. Duncombe rang for Inc t
come here, and l haven't had goo'
chance to show it yet"
We'll, where is the 'Vesta' now
"She was lying of the Battery las
night. sir; but Joe said they'd sal
early this morning"
Detective Jones picked up the HeT
aid turned to the shipping news an
read aloud: Outward bound; bri
.ye,ta,' Captain Crozisr, with DO
shocks for Havana"
"I'm afraid the boys bad one. All
Duncombe, he said. His brother
conveniently out of the way, and b
knew il. But I'll step round to Levy
.,h..har he CHANGED the Dl