The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-12-16


there is nothing startling in the de.
tails, and the unraveling of the mys-
terry with which they deal required no
great amount of sagacity on my part,
still am inclined to think that there
is sufficient interest about the affair
to warrant making it public.
was engaged with the superintend-
ent one morning on some routine bust
ness when n note was handed in from
Mr.. Bridgnorth, well-known solicitor
practlcing in the town. The superin-
tendent read the missive and then
turred to me.
"1t is case of pilfering, Sampson" "
he said, "and the thief, of course, can
not be discovered. There is nothing
requiring your service this morning
go and see what you can do in the
matter.
put on my hat and went as direct.
ed. Mr.. Bridgnorth's place was well
known to me, and l was soon the oc-
cupant OF seat in the private room
at his Office.
az have been a good deal concerned
of late," said the solicitor, turning to
the business at once, "about the alb
straction OF certain sums of money
from my oash-box in my desk, and as
/ fear that l am being robbed by some
one in the office, and cannot put my
hand on the actual offender, am
compelled to seek the aid OF the po'
lice"
"Quite so, sir" l said, "aud it will,
be both the duty and the pleasure ol
the force, and OF myself, to give you
every possible assistance in the mat
ter. How lJng have the pilferings
been going on?' / asked.
about week or ten days." wa!
the reply; "And the robberies always
take place at night, after the Office is
closed"
SHOW do you know thatP"
because count the cash in my
desk every evening before locking
mp, when everybody has left, anC
again the next morning, before any
one arrives" said Mr.. Bridgnorth.
"What are the amounts you hav'
missedP"
"They have varied. One night fv,
pounds were taken, arother seven, I
third three, and 30 on. Altogether
have been robbed of fifty-five sover
eigns, and 1 don't know where it i
going to end"
"Have you any suspicion as to whom
the thief may beP"
"None whAtever-unless-" Mr.
Bridgnorth hesitated.
"Go on, sir" l said. "Give eX
preston to your thoughts, they ma,
furnish q clue.
'I was gorng to say, continued tn
solicitor, "with some apparent relucI
ance, "unless it be Hartley: but
cannot believe him guilty of such
thing" he added.
"Who is Hartley2" asked.
'My confidential clerk" rephe
Mr.. Bridgnorth. "He has been wit
me ever siuce he was a boy. and b
character has always been above su'
picion."
"Then why shonld his name oceu
to you in connection with thei
thefts?" queried.
ell IL - Inc bhloI 5Alu INC hS
licitor. "Hartley and | are the onl
persons who sleep on the premise
and as there are no signs of burglar
GUS entry, and the thefts always tai
place in the night, l AMIN spite
mYself-driyen to a certain concll
sion."
"The natural one, IN the eircun
stances" l yentured "But tell M
you keep several clerks in addition
Hartley?"
"Yes; four others. "
"At what time do they leave"
"Six O'Clock"
'When do you lock up?"
"About half-past six or seven"
"You lock your desk and the oll'
door2"
"Yes."
"Does anyone beside yourself po
sess keys OF either?"
HARTLEY does, OF both"
"Aud you say he sleeps on IL
Premises?"
Eyes.