The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1897-02-27

AL lutIt Is 4 uiollNc LOT DllltIlnks
said, with a shrug Of the shoulders.
How so?" asked the solicitor.
why. 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 housef' said Mr.. BrIdgnorth, sadly.
1T looks remarkably like IT," re-
Piled. Put we shall probably see. OF
course, you have not charged him with
tie thcftsT'
NO. for cannot persuade myself Of
his guilt"
"And he has no knowledge Of the OBJ
ject OF my vlsitY'
"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 In sleeping on these
premises the last few nights"
We'll" said Mr. Brldgnorth. slowly;
1T Is this. For some little time have
found myself out OF sorts. There is
nothing really the matter with me, that
] know OF, but | have been spending n
lot OF restless nights. either getting no
sleep at ALL or only sufficient to do me
little good. Under the impression that
a change OF apartments is sometimes a
remedy for Insomnia, decided, as am
n bachelor and have only myself 10
please. that for night or two l would
sleep here, where there is plenty of
room and ample accommodation"
IL see"
"Well." went on the solicitor "the
change answered admirably. From the
very first night slept soundly, save for
some persistent dreaming, which night
ly haunts me and leaves me somewhat
unrefreshed In the morning. The old
woman who comes In to do for Hartley
finds 1t little extra work to prepare a
dormitory for me, so | have remained
for the present. This Is the explana-
ton.
THANK you. sir. We will now try
and run this thief to earth. What |
propose is very simple. Find me a
hiding place here to-night-a screen or a
cupboard will do, for | am used to
crnmped quarters and 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.. Bridgnorth agreed, and shortly
after took my departure AS passed
through the outer room got look at
the clerks, aud in particular at Hartley.
which | was enabled to do without ex-
citing suspicion. Judging from appear
ances the fellow looked like anything
but thief. having frank. open coun-
tenance. and lacking altogether that
stiffness of vision characteristic of al.
most every rogue Aware, however
that there Is nothing more deceptive
than externals. | went away little
doubling that Hartley was my man.
Late that evening | presented myself
at Mr.. Bridgnorth's door and was re-
ceived by that gentleman in person
The Office was closed, the clerks had all
gone home, and Hartley was out. pre-
sumably love-making. Mr. Bridgnortl
found little difficulty In securing me a
retreat behind a cabinet which stood in
one corner of the Office, and here | en-
sconced myself with as much comfort
as the circumstances permitted.
At 1920 the solicitor retired. locking
both his desk and the Office door befor,
going upstairs. and providing me Will
duplicate key of the latter. as hat
desired. Hartley would be home he in
formed me. about IL o'clock. and would
doubtless go straight to his room.
The lawyers estimate proved correct
for almost exactly on the stroke Of tn,
hour a key turned in the lock of tn,
i 4
entered. He had no occasion to com,
into the Office in order to reach hi
apartment. but on his way past hi
paused moment and tried the handl,
OF the door, and finding 1t fastene,
went on his way A minute later
heard the closing of his chamber doc
and my watch began.
, The time passed slowly away
Twelve o'clock struck. then and .. an,
l had begun to think that my vigi
would be in vain. when in the stillnes
| of the night l heard door softly open
ed above and a cautious footstep slowl,
descend the stairs. Ii paused at tn
foot of them. close to the door of tn
= room In which | lay hid. and | mex
/, heard the juggling of n bunch of keys
, as II the possessor Of them were select
, ing the right one TO fit the lock. A mo
ment later the portal opened and tn
pilferer entered.
i The place was In darkness and Ia,
: to strain my eyes 10 watch his move
ments. The lantern | had with me
did not desire to use until the right me
ment. for it was my hope to capture tn
thief In the very act Of his larceny.
had not very long to wait Wrapped /
n long gown and without shoes on hi
e feet. the pilferer glided stealthily to IN
desk. and fitting key into the loc
lifted the lid. He then open the cas-
e. box and took out some Of the coins.
Now was my time Slipping froi
my hiding place turned ON my lanter
J. and confronted the culprit AS did 5
| gave stare OF surprise. for the ma
| encountered was Mr.. Bridgnorth hin
self. and could tell by his closed eye
that he was fast asleep. and. Of cours,
: quite unaware Of what he was doing.
Seeing that the light from my lanter
e bothered him somewhat (for he passe
A his hand several times dreo uifv acro.