The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-22
ROBBED mIMsEIF IN HIS SLEEP.
Mysterious PiIfering That Puzzled
an English Lawyer.
From London Tit-Bits.


From London Tit-Bits.
1t was during the time of my connec-
ton with the marlborough police force
that the incident related in the following
lines occurred. Although there is nothing
startling in the details, and the unrave.-
ing of the mystery with which they deal
required no great amount of sagacity on
my part, still l am inclined to think that
there is sufficient interest about the af-
fair to warrant making it public.
was engaged with the superintendent
one morning on some routine business
when a note was handed in from Mr..
Bridgnorth. a wel-known solicitor prac-
ticiLg in the town. The superintendent
read the missiVe and then turned to me.
Il have been a good deal concerned of
late" said the solicitor turning to the
business at once, about the abstraction
of certain sums of money from my cash
box in my desk, and as l fear that / am
being robbed by some one in the office,
and cannot put my hand on the actuai
offender, l am compelled to seek the aid
of the police"
quite so, SIR" said land it will be
both the duty and pleasure of the force
and of myself to give you every possible
the offerings been going on?" l asked.
about a week or ten days" was the
reply; land the robberies always take
place at night, after the office is closed"
"How do you know that?'
Because 1 count the cash in my desk
every evening before locking up, when ev-
erybody has left, and again the next morn
ing. before anyone arrives" said Mr..
Bridgnorth.
"What are the sums you have missed?'
"They have varied. One night f5 were
taken, another seven, third three and so
on. Altogether 1 have been robbed of SO
sovereigns, and 1 don't know where 1t is
going to end"
slave you any suspicion as 70 whom
the thief may be-"
None whatever-unless-" Mr.. Brtdg-
north hesitated.
60 on. sir" said "Give expression to
your thoughts, they may furnish clew."
II was going to say" continued the So
licitor, with some apparent reluctance,
"unless it be Hartley; but cannot believe
him guilty of such thing" he added.
who is Hartley?" l asked.
INV confidential clerk" replied Mr..
Br.dgnorth "He has been with me ever
since he was a boy, and his character has
always been above suspicion"
"Then why should his name occur to
you in connection with these thefts?"
queried.
.rWer. 1t is like this" said the solicitor.
"Iartlev and l are the only persons who
sleep on the premises, and as there are no
signs of burglarious entry, and the thetts
always take place in the night, AMIN
spite of myself-driven to certain conclu-
SION"
'"The natural one, in the circumstances"
I ventured. "But tell me, you keep several
clerks in addition to Hartley!
Eyes: four Others"
eat what time do they leave?'
"Six O'Clock"
''When do you lock up?"
about $50 or o'clock"
door?"
yes"
"Does any one besides yourself possess
keys of either?"
'Hartley does of BOTH
"And YOU say he sleeps on the prem
ises?"
Eyes"
mo one else?"
Myself"
"But do you live here, Mr.. Bridgnorth?''
"Ouite So NV residence Is on the out
skirts of the town, but for several nights
1 have been sleeping at the office"
"In order to catch the thief?' l queried
Indeed, that was not my motive at all,
said the lawyer, quickly. "And, as mat
ter of fact, the robberies have only oc-
Cured since my sojourn in the place; they
never once happened before"
Very likely. But, assuming that Hart
ley is the thief, can you suggest motive
for his offerings" l asked.
None whatever" was the reply.
What kind of life does he lead?
steady?"
Nobody more So"
Doesn't bet or gambler
Neither, to my knowledge. He is en-
gagged to a very respectable girl, and l
know. as fact. that he shortly contem-
plates housekeeping"
"Ah! there is a motive for pi!fering!
/ said. with a shrug Of the shoulders.
How so?" asked the solicitor.
"Why. a house requires furniture, and
furniture costs money" / said.
"Then you think that Hartley is help
ing himself to my cash In order to At up
his house?" asked Mr.. Bridgnorth, sadly
1T looks remarkably like it," ] replied
but we shall probably see. OF course,
You have not charged him with the
thefts2"
mo. for / cannot persuade myself Of his
gait"
"And he has no knowledge Of the OBJ
ject of my vlsit?"
None, so far as / am aware"
Very we'll; let him keep In the dark for
the present. Meanwhile, can you tell me
your object for sleeping on these premises
the last few nights?
WELL" said Mr.. Brldgnorth, slowly, 'it
is this: Fer some time / have found my
self out Of sorts. There Is nothing really
the matter with me- that know Of but
have been spending a lot Of restless nights.
either getting no sleep a all, or only suif-
rient TO do me little good. Under the I'M
preston that a change OF apartments -