Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-11-28

NOuo WuhtcNeIs Woo tuC Aopbys
"What kind OF life does he lead?
"Nobody more so."
Doesn't bet or gambler"
"Neither, to my knowledge. He is
engaged to very respectable girl, and
I know, as n fact. that he shortly con-
templates housekeeping"
"Ahl there is n motive for pi:fer'
ing!" I said, with shrug OF the
shoulders.
Chow SOP" asked the solicitor.
"Wby, a house requires furniture,
and furniture costs money" !" l said.
"Then YOU think that Hartley is
helping himself to my cash in order to
fit up his house?" said Mr.. Bridgnorth.
."it looks remarkably like it," l re.
piled. "But We shall probably see.
OF course, you have not charged him
with the thefts?"
"No, for l canLot persuade myself
of his guilt"
"And he has no knowledge OF the
object of my visit?"
"None, so far as am aware"
every we'll, let him keep in the dark
for the present. Meanwhile, can
you tell me your object for sleeping
on these premises for the last few
nights?"
"Well," said Mr.. Bridgnorth,
slowly; sit is this. For some little
time I have found myself out OF sorts.
There is nothing really the matter
with me, that I know OF. but have
been spending lot OF restless nights,
either getting no sleep at all, or only
sufficient to do me little good. Under
IL impression that change OF apart
ments is sometimes q remedy for in
somnia, I decided, ss ! am bachelor
and have only myself to please, that
for night or two I would sleep here,
where there is plenty Of room and
ample accommodation"
"I see."
"Well," went on the solicitor, "the
change answered admirably. From
the very first night slept soundly,
save for some persistent dreaming,
which nightly haunts me and leaves
me somewhat unrefreshed in the
morning. The old woman who comes
in to do for Hartley finds it little ex'
ira work to prepare dormitory for
me, so have remained for the pres.
ent. That is the explanation"
"Thank you. sir. We will now try
and run this thief to earth. What
propose is very simple. Find me
hiding.p place here to.night-a screen
or cupboard will do, for am used
to cramped quarters--snd l will sec
what is to be seen. Lock your desk
and door as usual, but provide me
with kev of the latter for use il
needful."
MIR. Bridgnorth agreed, and shortly
after I took my departure. As
passed through the outer room I got
look at the clerks, and in particular
to Hartley, which l was enabled to do
pearsnees, pssr TIE fellow looked anything
but q thief. having . frank, open
countenance, and lacking altossther
the stiffness of vision characteristic
of almost every rogue. Aware, how
ever, that there is nothing more de-
ceptiye than externals, I went away,
little doubling that Hartley was my
man.
Late that evening presented myself
at Mr.. Bridgnorth's door, and was re
ceived by the gentleman in person.
The Office was closed, the clerks had
all gone home, and Hartley Was out
presumably love making. Mr.. Bridg
north found little difficulty in secur
ing me q retreat behind cabine
, which stood in one corner Of the Office
, and here ensconced myself with a
much comfort "a the circumstanc cel
permitted.
At half.past ten the solicitor retired
!, locking both his desk and the office
, door before going upstairs, and pro
viding me with q duplicate key OF tht
, latter, as I had desired. Hartley
would be home, he informed me. abou
3 eleven O'Clock, and would doubtless g
straight to his room.
D The lawyers estimate proved cor
, rect, for almost exactly on the stroke
/ Of the hour, . key turned in the loci
. of the outer door and the confidentia
4 clerk entered. He had no occasion t,
come into the Office in order to reacl
, his apartment, but on his way past !
he paused . moment and tried tn
handle of the door. and, finding i
fastened, went on his way. A mtnut
!. later heard the closing Of his cham
, Der door and my watch began.
The time passed slowly away
Q Twelve O'Clock struck, then one, the
:. two, and had begun to think that m.
I vigil would be in vain, when, in th
a stiffness of the night, heard doc
softly opened shove. and caution
footstep slowly descended the stairi
4 1t paused at the foot OF them, close :
h the door of the room in which To-
s hid, and next heard the jingling OF
J. bunch Of keys, - if the possessor 9
them was selecting the right one to g
r. the lock. A moment later the ports
70 opened and the pilferer entered.
The place was in darkness, and
}. had to strain my eyes to watch hl
v movements. The lantern had wit
!, me did not desire to use until th
/. right moment. for it was my hope
;e capture the thief in the very act I
,f his larceny. I had not long to wal
=. Wrapped in long gown, and witho.
shoes on his feet, the pilferer glide
, steadily to the desk. and fitted ks
;. into the lock, lifted the lid. He the
10 opened the cash box and took o,
some OF the COINS.
Now was my time. SLIPPING fro
my hiding place, turned on the lei
tern and confronted the culprit.
I did so, I gave start OF surprise. 4
the man I encountered was Mr.. Bird
"a north himself. and could tell by b
closed eyes that he was fast aslee
and, OF course, quite unaware what
q. WAS doing.
Seeing that the light from my Ia
tern bothered him somewhat for