The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-04-23
IN A BLACK BAG.

~ want you," said our superintendent,
one day, Ito go down to Strandon hall
Some mysterious thefts are taking place
and the local police can make neither head
nor tail of the affair"
found that had been announced os
the new tutor to boy of IS years Of age,
who, however, was not to commence
studies at once, as his holidays were not
yet concluded
The thefts had been going on for some
time, and only three days after had ar
rived the superintendents wifes gold
watch had disappeared. She had wound
1t up the last thing before she had gone to
bed, and when she and Mr. Stanton had
gone down stairs to breakfast they had
both observed that 1t 10y upon the dressing
table. The chambermaid, too, who had
gone In immediately after, had also seen
1t lying there.
had no suspicion Of the chambermaid.
did not like the butler, but that perhaps
was because he did not betray any great
Partially for me- though he was forced to
show mo some respect as the new tutor
who had come to educate and look after
Master Reginald.
discovered that he was not above opep-
ing bottle of wine and imbibing its con-
tents, and that occasionally he might be
found at public house in the town. Yet
did not on this account jump at oonclu-
sions. The man who would steal BOTTLES
of wine and drink them was not the thief
OF watches, rings, plate and valuable orna-
ments, of which things quite large num-
Der had disappeared.
In two more days two valuable orrfa.
ments had been taken from the drawing
room.
Mrs. Stanton" said, ~ think 1t will
DO necessary to make thorough search
through the place and into every servants
box In the house"
What really stuck me was that on nei-
ther OF these occasions had any servant ap-
parently left the house or been visited by
anybody from the outside.
"Of course, to allay suspicion, my boxes
shall be searched as well, said.
LAS you will" she replied. "Perhaps,
however, ought to tell you that this has
again and again been done, and that the
servants have themselves so frequently
that at last said it should not be repeat
ed.'
II think perhaps, madam" modestly
urged, that my knowledge of boxes and
their sometimes secret ways may be Of
service"
The examination was made No secret
places were found. a few articles were
taken to Mrs Stanton to see II she would
lay claim to them, but they were not hers
had never before so utterly failed In
the course OF Gs many weeks two other
thefts had taken place, and as neither
could detect the culprit nor make the least
suggestion, in order to get away from the
place, thought 1t was time to 40 back to
London.
Ono day soon after my return to town
whom should SEQ pass into well known
pawnbroker's shop, in the west end, but
Mi Stanton / followed him In and epoke
to him, but be seemed in 10 way to know
me-
My name is Trevelyan Of Scotland Yard,
and have been In your house at Winohes.
ter striving to detect thefts that are there
taking place"
Il have no house at Winchester, and
do not know you," he rather CURLY replied.
We'll, this is funny CO." involun.
tarily exclaimed. In no way disconnected, |
however, the gentleman unfastened his |
bag-a bag well kuew-and offered In |
pledge two Or three articles that to me |
were perfectly familiar.
why, sir, you are Mr.. Stanton of |
Strandon Hall, Winchester, and these are
things know to have becn In your house. |
Yes, and you have pledged many such
things" the pawnbrokcr, who knew nc,
said, but always In the name Of George
Sutliold."
Certainly" he replied, land 1.-Two at
Cumberland place, " men tioning number
went to Cumberland place, but no
such name as Sutlield was there known.
and though fingered about till late at
night the gentleman whom knew to be
Mir. Stanton never appeared.
Tho next morning i was off to Win
chester and OF course went straight to
strandon Hall. Mr.. Stanton, as usual, had !
left for business.
Did Mr. Stanton tell you that he saw
me IN London yesterday" asked Mrs,
Stanton.
Il am not aware that ho was in London
yesterday he has not said nything about
It,.
We'll, at any ratio havo discovered
how your property goes and where some
and believe the whole of 1t is"
And have you caught tho thief"
1T is not thief who takes It,"
What IL vow nsxH?'
Your eeOsls are taken from this houso
and oispossd of, though not sold, By Mr.
MIS- Stanton WAS astonished and could
hardly balisye hGr own cara.
but hsw cAA 1t 10 accounted forf" she
asked
"Only think In two wnys-either no
needs 70 paiss money for business pur.
pogas OF he has Authorization.
Ae ID net short OF money, Tor he Is Ger.
tainiy very wealthy, and his business is
exoossbnHly PrsspssOus. AS to q hallusi-
nation, ~ ssss aid suffer from a very Ne
cnlisF ohs isSssd. He thought that his |
right arm wAs of. But 10 was cured uf
that"
II think, Fsid you had better con-
suit tke Same sSssar sppin."
The dsstor ssnC In pseliatuly sent for.
and ~ saFvosa that sOthing should at
present. be sAaa, sst shat first Of NIL tbs
GLek bag say BY day si,SEbl he exam
ipsd " sss II aay ATstslss FROM home on,Iki
Va i"sHS - il, sHd psrk&ps it wouId ~
DSssar Tor Skaa ~ be ssAs by ths ksad slerk
II tbs sNsss, vkO, Of sOHft, NJ sFt be lat
'pto tAs Bs4ssa. Plat wss sOns and many
I'siclss sASpsasa 10 la stslsn were roCoy-
hfsd III aaas WAY. -EzshanRe
--Ss~.----.-----.-
Many . home has bsCn rendered sad and
I"su. ale by the loss Of some dear, y wed
hid Thr il s dangerous season for