The news boy., 1896-09-05
Az ASSAYtNa-ROoM PUZZLE.

One morning, early in June, was sent
for by my employer, the head of detec-
tive agency, and found visitor with
him. The latter rose when I entered
and the chief formally introduced us.
"Mr. Vincent" he said, addressing the
gentleman, "this is Mr.. Borland. the
detective whom I had been speaking to
you about"
Mr.. Vincent bowed and returned the
salutation. "That is my card, SIR" he
said, handing me the piece of pustebonrd
as he spoke.
Hooked at the card; It bore the name /:
Mr. Horace Vincent" and in the corner
the name Of Mr.. Vincent's firm, "Ieggit
& Vincent, Assayers to the Bank of
Great britain"
I'VE are in great trouble" said Mr..
Vincent, after a short pause; eve have
reason to believe that one of our as.
sistants is robbing us daily of the gold
dust which passes through his hands"
Indeed" returned; "then why not
have the gentleman arrested at once ?''
THAT is impossible" he said-"quite
impossible"
MAY ask why?" said, briskly.
I'VE cannot do so because there is not
one jot of proof to justify such an arrest.
Every man is searched nightly on leav-
ing the premises, and this man whom
We suspect has undergone the same
treatment. Not tenth of an ounce Of
the dust has been found on his person
on any OCCASION"
Then why suspect him?" asked,
somewhat impatiently.
There is no one else to suspect. At
our establishment we have some 90 as
saying rooms, and each room has made
up its accounts perfectly With the ex-
ception of the room in which Young
Renshaw is employed. Month after
month considerable deficit occurs
there.
How are your searches conducted? 2"
tasked. DO they preclude the slightest
possibility of any concealmeut2"
They do. Most thoroughly. If Rem
shaw carried on him one grain of the
dust, it could not escape the eyes of
our searcher. 1t is a dreadful mys-
terry"
IF it is your wish that should take
the case in hand, will come and have
looRr,. your place and employees with
out delay"
Mr.. Vincent shook hands with the
chief. and 1, having made few neces-
sary preparations, set out with the as
sayer for the scene of the trouble.
AS we walked along. said:
What sort of q fellow is this young
Renshaw? Where did you pick him
up?"
"Ah, that is the most sorrowful part
OF the whole business" replied Mr.. VIM
cent. "His father was my Oldest friend,
and when he lay dying he confided the
boy to me. He showed great aptitude
for the business, and gave him full con-
troll of Room Is. 1t is the most i'm
portant room in the place and the
amount of raw material that passes
through it daily is enormous"
''How much of the dust has been
missed altogether?" I asked, after a
short pause.
"Close on $50 ounces. You see, the
robberies have been extending over
some time now, and we are determined
to either find the thief or discharge
every man in our employ"
II hope that there will be no need fol
such an extreme measure" remarked;
doubtless, we shall be able to bring
home the crime to the culprit."
II hope SO, indeed" he said, earnestly
"The worry entailed on my partner and
me by these disgraceful depredations
has been very great, and we would will.
lingly forfeit large amount of money
to run the thief to EARTH"
No more was said until we reached the
assaying-rooms. Mr.. Vincent opened
the door, and, bidding me follow him
passed rapidly into the room, No. Is
where the robberies had been com.
mitted.
A young fellow was bending over q
pair of hair scales as we entered.
THAT is Renshaw," whispered Mr.
Vincent; quite youngster, as you
see."
Renshaw, becoming aware of my
presence, looked up. 1 am something
of reader Of physiognomy, and read
ing that face, l distrusted it at once.
Dissipation had set it's mark on his
features, and his eyes bore shifty
deceitful light which gave them repnl-
sive look. Although am not given to
jumping at conclusions, I could not help
saying to myself: THAT is our bird"
Mr.. Vincent was the first to speak.
"Renshaw," he said, in 4 low voice
81 am indeed grieved that should have
to speak to you as am going to speak
but there is no alternative. This gen.
tleman is private detective. He has
come to inquire into the mysterious
disappearance of the gold dust from
this room.'
"Well," said Renshaw, sulkily, what
has that to do with me, sire"
II only hope for your sake and your
dead fathers sake that it has indeed
nothing to do with you," returned Mr.
Vincent, sadly; 'but the facts are sc
black against you that have deter.
mined to take up the matter now and
pierce the heart of the mystery. Rem
shaw, it is not too late to confess.
will not be hard on you, nor will Mr.
Leggett."
II have nothing to confess" he re-
turned, moodily; Il have never taken
anything out of this room that was not
my own property"
"If you are speaking the truth" said
Mr.. Vincent, not unlsindly, show do you
explain that there is such a remark
able deficit at the end of each month
in the accounts connected with Room
is? Nobody besides yourself is al.
l1x-al ~, hare whom, elisa oan xvs