Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-02-27

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81 WAS SORRY TO HAVE YoU UP AGAIN
80 SOON, BusBY," HE SAID.
down the sharpest detective we have,
and you know who that Is, when you're
ct home!"
This compliment from our inspector,
who is no fatterer as a rule, pleased
me very much, and felt the strength
OF lion rise in me at his words. ]
fancy got bit red, as answered:
THANK you kindly, sir! | suppose
the business is OF Importance!
Every Importance! Property to
the amount of thirty thousand pounds
missing, under circumstances which
seem to point to-however, 1 shall leave
you to find out that for yourself! You
may be detained some days in The
Gables; indeed, you are sure to be,
Are you prepared for itP"
81 can write to Mrs. Busby for what
j may require, sir" l replied. MAY
ask on whose information we are act.
:ng?"
20 yes No secrecy about the mat.
ter. The person who has written for
your attendance Is Sir Charles Files.
mere, the master of the house. His
father died only last wcek-was
buried yesterday-the jewels found
missing after the reading of the will,
lie says they are of fabulous value.
and family heirloom"
"All the better" l said, they will be
the more easily traced. They won't
give me so much trouble as Messrs.
Nlears and Allcock's gold and silver did,
Stones can't be melted down into
Jumps of ore!"
"Ah! Busby," the inspector was good
that WINS sharp piece of work and
II won't be forgotten! You'll reach
Manningford about five o'clock, so you
had better put up at hotel till you've
had your breakfast, then off to The
Gables as soon as may bel"
Every good, sir! III start at once,
and wire you all particulars as soon
as I've heard them. And if require
assistance, III have Crewe, if you're
willing. He has the coolest head,
know!"
After your own, Busby!" said the
inspector, laughing, and thanked him
0gain, and started on my journey. 1t
was November, and the nights were bit
terly cold. wrapped myself up vel!
In my rug, and leaning back in corner
of the railway carriage, tried TO resume
my broken slumbers, but 1T was useless.
I had been too thoroughly reused.
When l arrived at the Manningford
hotel, l sat in one corner Of the Office
room till it was light enough to have my
breakfast. By that time several Gus
toners, chiefly travellers, were down
strayed in to warm themselves with a
cup of tea or coffee before they started
on their days work. soon found that
the mysterious robbery at The Gables
was the general topic of conversation
"But it's quite incomprehensible!'
said one man, "the jewels was safe and
sound in the old baronet's bedroom .
week before he died, for Rachel MARIE
saw them with her own eyesl And nc
one entered the room till after, and then
only the undertakcrs!"
"Ah! them undertakers!" exclaimed
another man, 81 wouldn't trust them
any further than could see 'em! Why!
] remember when my mother died, and
they was left in the room to lay her In
her coffin, there wasn't pin left in the
cushion the next morning, and the very
soap was took out of the soapdish, fol
I've heard my sister say 30 a score o
times"
"Them jewels was worth II power OF
money" interposed third. "The old
gentleman he got them from the king OF
the Ingies, and they was valued ut q
million pounds!"
"He stole them, most likely" said the
first speaker. 1T was in the days oil
old John Company, when the British
ers stole right and left; loot, they
called it, but it came to the same thing
And now, you see, this is what they call.
Nemesis! They've lost them again
Lor! it won't be for longI Sir Charlie.
he have telegraphed for detective from
London, and all the servants are forbil
to leave the house till he comesl Hell
find EN-, never fear! They can't have
walked Off by themselves, nor the,
can't be very far, neither! All know
is, that wouldn't like to be the man az
has got 'em. The officer he'll sniff 'cm
out soon enough"
"The mani" repeated his companion
CONTEMPORARY. "Tain no man as ha,
has those jewels. He'd better shake ou
my lndy's skirts instead. That's where
the jewels is gone. She was always mac
to get 'em, and mad against the youn.
baronet, and she has 'em, you may taxi,
my word for 1t! All! there's no artful
ness to beat the artfulness Of woman!
sighed, rather than said, the other man
Us though he had cause to know IT,