The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-01-23

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"PERuAPs, ALICE, YOU HAD BETTER
LEAVE Us ToGETHER."
worse for drink, and, indeed, after
twelve o'clock in the day he could
hardly ever be said to be sober. His
manners toward the maid servants
were disgustingly free and familiar.
Worst of all, he speedily assumed the
same attitude toward my daughter,
Alice, and spoke to her more than once
in a way which, fortunately, she is too
innocent to understand. On one occa-
sion he actually seized her in his arms
and embraced her-an outrage which
caused his own secretary to reproach
him for his unmanly conduct
"'But why did you stand all this?' 1
asked. i suppose that you can get rid
of your boarders when you wish
Mrs. Charpentier blushed at my
pertinent question. Would to God
that had given him notice on the
very day he came she said. But it
was a sore temptation. They were
paying pound day each-fourteen
pounds a week, and this is slack sea-
son. l am widow, and my boy in the
navy has cost me much. grudged to
lose the money. acted for the best.
This last was too much, however, and
l gave him notice to leave on account
of it. That was the reason Of his
going
"'Well?'
"'My heart grew light when l saw
him drive away. Ny son is on leave
just now, but l did not tell him any
thing of this, for his temper is violent,
and he is passionately fond Of his Sis
ter. When | closed the door behind
them load seemed to be lifted from
my mind. Alas! in less than an hour
there was n ring at the bell, and
learned that Mr.. Drebber had re
turned. He was much excited, an
evidently the worse for drink. He
forced his way into the room where ]
was sitting with my daughter, and
made some incoherent remark about
having missed the train. He then
turned to Alice and, before my very
face, proposed to her that she should
fly with him. "You are of age he
said, "and there is no law to stop you.
l have money enough and to spare
Never mind the old girl here, but
come along with me now straight
away. You shall live like princess.
Poor Alice was so frightened that
she shrunll away from him, but he
caught her by the wrist and endeavofed
to draw her toward the door.
screamed, and at that moment my son
Arthur came into the room. What
happened then / do not know.
heard oaths and the confused sounds
of a scufhe. l was too terrified tc
raise my head. When did look up
saw Arthur standing in the doorway
laughing, with stick in his hand
81 don't think that fine fellow will
trouble us again." he said. II will
just go after him and see what he doei
with himself" With those words hi
took his hat and started off down tn,
street. The next morning we heard o
MIR. Drebbcr's mysterious death
"This statement came from Mrs
Charpentiers lips with many gasp
and pauses. At times she spoke 81
low that could hardly catch tn,
words. made shorthand notes of al
that she said, however, so that ther,
should be no possibility Of a mistake.
'It's quite exciting" said Sherlocl
Holmes, with yawn. What happened
next?"
"When Mrs. Charpentier paused,
the detective continued, 81 saw tina
the whole case hung upon one point
Fixing her with my eye in a way whicl
l always found effective with women
/ asked her at what hour her son re
turned.
"I do not know she answered.
"'Not lnow?'
"'No; he has latch-key, and le
himself in
"'After you went to bed?
"'Yes.'
"'When did you go to bed%
"'About eleven
$50 your son was gone at least tw,
hours?'
Eyes
Possibly four or HveP'
eyes
"What was he doing during tina
time?
"I do not know, she answered, turn
ing white to her very lips.
"0f course after that these wa
nothing more to be done. found on
where Lieut.. Charpentier was, tool
two officers with me, and arrested him
When | touched him on the shoulde
and warned him to come quietly witt
us, he answered us as bold as brass: 6
suppose you are arresting me for beinl
concerned in the death of that scoun
drel, Drebber,' he said. We had saic
nothing to hio abont it, so that hi
alluding to IL had most suspicion
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