The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-11-13
soMNAMHUL srIc MYSTERY.
A Detectives story of the strangest of
His Experiences

A Detectives Story of the strangest of
His Experiences.
From the Cincinnati Tribune.
The strangest experience I ever
had" said a well known detective to a
reporter. was in locating a sneak
thief who Systematically robbed
business mans residence. There had
been a number of robberles, extending
over a considerable space of time. The
servants of the house mad been chang
ed several times. and yet the thefts
continued About once a week some
one entered the mans sleeping apart
ments and took what money he had, IL
any, and. II not. succeeded in obtain
ing some of his wifes Jewels or valua-
BILE silverware. / was employed In the
case and made a thorough examina-
ton of the premises.
AT first I thought the work was
done bv some one inside the house.
but my client told me that he had
surprised the man one night. and that
he went out the window and down
the porch. which was undoubtedly the
way he came in. He described the
man as being small. thin and pale,
and wearing a peculiar mask. The
description did not suit any one in the
house or any one whom the business
man knew.
My client slept in the front room and
his wife In one adjoining. there being
double doors between them. l search
ed the pawnshops thoroughly and could
find no trace of the missing Jewels or
sllverware. and after watching the
house from the outside for several
nights, during which time there was
another robbery, l prepared TO sleep
In my clients room. to which he read
lily consented. The first night / slept
disturbed. but several dollars In loose
change had been distracted from my
own pockets. although usually / am a
very light sleeper and awaken at once
by any unusual sound. l said nothing
about my own loss. but concluded 10
remain awake thereafter.
For several nights nothing occurred.
when one morning about 2 o'clock a
form came through the folding doors
that connected the room where was
with that occupied by the wife OF my
client. l pretended to be asleep, and
awaited The thiefs approach. 1t look
ed like a pale-faced boy. over Its
head was thrown a dark shawl that
gave the appearance Of a mask and a
coat. but the form was barefooted and
| had nothing on besides the shawl but
a nightgown. Noiselessly Il glided TO
| the window. unlocked Il and passed
out on the porch. l knew in a mo-
ment that the person was the wife OF
my client. and / followed at once. AS
she climbed down the porch the moon
shone directly I'm her face. and l saw
that she was asleep. The woman went
directly to an arbor that had once
been a spring house. and. lifting a
loose board. dropped something and
returned the way she came to her own
| apartments.
II Immediately Investigated, and
| found that In the place formerly used
for the storage of milk and butter the
missing Jewels. silver and money were
piled. The next morning 1 told my
client and showed him where the miss
ing articles were. He stated that his
wife was possessed OF an almost In.
/ sane fear that some time he would
fail and would be reduced to want
although entirely rational upon al
other subjects This probably tool
possession OF her mind while she slept
and being OF a somnamulistic tenden
cy. her boarding OF the valuables wa,
explained. When awake she had M
recollection whatever OF her night,
depredatlons."