The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-22

sometimes a remedy for insomnia. de-
cided, as 1 am a bachelor and have only
myself to please, that for night or two
l would sleep here, where there is plenty
of room and ample accommodation"
81 see"
We'll" went on the solicitor. tine
change answered admirably. From the
very first night slest soundly. save for
some persistent dreaming, which nightly
haunts me and leaves me somewhat UNI
refreshed in the morning. The old woman
who comes in to do for hartley finds it
little extra work to prepare dormltory
for me. so 1 have remained for the pres
ent. That is the explana alton"
Thank you, sir We will now try and
run this thief to the earth. What pro-
pose is very simple. Find me a hiding
place here to-night-a screen or cup
board will do. for l am used cramped
uuarters-and l will see what is to be
seen. Lock your desk and door as usual.
but provide me with key Of the latter
for use If needful.'
Mr. Brdgnorth agreed and shortly af-
ter I took my departure AS 1 passed
through the outer room l got a look at
the clerks, and in particular at Hartley,
which l was enabled to do without excit-
ing suspicion. Judging from appearances
the fellow looked anything but thief
having frank, open countenance, and
lacking altogether that stiffness of Wis
ion Characteristic of almost every rogue.
Aware however, that there is nothing
more deceptive than externals, / went
away little doubling that Hartley was my
man.
Late that evening l presented myself at
Mr. Bridgnorth's door, and was received
by that gentleman in person. The office
was closed the clerks had all gone home,
and Hartley was out, presumably love
making. Mr. Bridgnorth found little diff
hcultV in securing me a retreat behind
a cabinet, which stood In one corner Of
the office and here l ensconsed myself
with as much comfort as the circum-
stances permitted.
AT 1890 O'Clock the solicitor retired, lock-
ing both his desk and the office door be-
fore going upstairs, and providing me
with a duplicate key of the latter, as L
had desired Hartley would be home, he
Informed me, about II o'clock, and would
doubtless go straight to his room
The LAWYERS estimate proved correct
for almost exactly on the stroke of the
hour key turned in the lock of the outer
door, and the confidential clerk entered
He had no occasion to come into the office
in order to reach his apartment, but on
his way past 1t he paused moment ana
tried the handle of the door, and, finding
1t fastened, went on his way. "A minute
later heard the closing OF his chamber
door and my watch began.
The time passed slowly away. Twelve
O'Clock struck, then / and 2, and l had
begun to think that my vigil would be In
vain, when, In the stiffness of the night,
l heard door softly opened above, and
a cautious footstep slowly descended the
stairs 1t paused at the foot of them,
close to the door of the room in which 1
lay hid, and I next heard the jingling
OF O bunch Of keys, as If the possessor of
them were selecting the right one to fit
the lock. A moment later the portal open
| ed and the piferer entered. The place
was in darkness, and / had to strain my
eyes to watch his movements. The Ian
tern 1 had with me 1 did not desire to
use until the right moment, for it was
my hope to capture the thief in the very
act of his larceny. l had not long TO
walt. Wrapped in a long gown and with
out shoes on his feet, the pilferer glided
stealthily to the desk, and fitting a key
to the lock- lifted the lid He then open
ed the cash box and took out some of
| the coins.
Now was my time. Slipping from my
| hiding place, turned on the lantern and
confronted the culprit. As I did so l
gave start Of surprise, for the man en-
| countered was Mr.. Bridgnorth himself,
and / could tell by his closed eyes that
| he was asleep, and, of course, quite I'M
aware what he was doing.
Seeing that the light from my lantern
| bothered him somewhat (for he passed
| his hand SeNefdl llfneS dredH1iy across MS
face). | replaced the shade, and the SOM
nambuist at once closed and fastened
the desk and then walked out of the Of
fice, locking the door behind him. Noise
lessly reopened 1t and followed him.
He retraced his steps up the stairs, and,
going to a cupboard on the landing,
stopped down, rummaging a second or
two among some old rubbish at the bot
tom, and seeming to deposit his coins
there He then entered a chamber adj
Joining Peering cautiously into this,
saw tho sleeper divest himself of his
gown and get rpconsciouslv into the bed
he had a few minutes before left
"Well Sampson" said Mr. Bridgnorth,
when he came down the next morning.
what IS the result Of your watching?
Have you discovered the thief?"
II think ] have sir" was my reply.
and is tits it--Hartley?' inquired the
solicitor, anxiously.
mo, sir, II IS not Hartley" ] said.
''Thank God for that" calculated the
lawyer, ferveutly as II the statement OF
the fact relieved him. But then" he
asked. with some surprise. who is the
culpritY"
siiefare l tell you that" 1 replied,