Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-03-05
In A BLACK BAG.

one day, 'to go down to Strandon hall.
and the local police can make neither head
nor tail of the affair "
found that had been ANNOUNCED as
the new tutor to n boy of 13 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 l had ar
rived the superintendent wife's gold
watch had disappeared. She had wound
it up the last thing before she had gone to
bed, and when she and Mr. Stanton had
gone down stairs 10 breakfast they had
both observed that II lay upon the dressing
table The chambermaid too, who had
gone in immediately after, had also seen
IL lying there.
I had no suspicion of the chambermaid
did not like the butler, but that perhaps
was because he did not betray any great
partiaiity for me, though he was forced TO
show me some respect as the new tutor
who had come TO educate and look after
Master Reginald
discovered that he was not above open.
ing bottle Of wine and imbibing its con-
tents, and that occasionally he might be
found at a public house in the town. Yet
/ did not on this account Jump at conclu-
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 orna-
ments had been taken from the drawing
room.
Mrs. Stanton" said, II think it will
be necessary to make thorough search
through the place and into every servant 8
box in the house. "
What really stuck me was that on nei-
Their of these occasions had any servant APP
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
GAS 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
urged it and almost forced it to be done
that at last | said it should not be repeat
cd "
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 If she would
lay claim TO them, but they were not hers.
had never before so utterly failed. In
the course of as 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, l thought it was time TO go back to
London.
One day soon after my return to town
whom should | see pass into II we'll known
pawnbroker's shop, in the west end but
Mr.. Stanton l followed him in and spoke
to him, but he seemed in 10 way TO know
me.
Ny name is Trevelyan Of Scotland Yard,
and l have been in your house at Winches-
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.
WELL this is a funny go, involun-
tarily exclaimed. In no way disconnected,
however, the gentleman unfastened his
bag-a bag 1 we'll knew-and offered In
pledge two or three articles that to me
were perfectly 1ainlllar.
why, sir, you are Mr.. Stanton of
Strandon Hail. Winchester, and these are
things l know to have been in your house.
Eyes, and you have pledged many such
things, the pawnbroker, who knew me.
said, but always in the name Of George
Suffield"
Certainly" he replied, land 1 live at
Cumberland place, " mentioning number
such name as Suffield was there known,
and though l fingered about till late at
night the gentleman whom l knew TO be
MIR. Stanton never appeared.
The next morning / was of to Win
chester and of course went straight to
Straudon Hall Mr.. Stanton, as usual, had
left for business
did Mr. Stanton tell you that he saw
me i'll London yesterday" / asked Mrs
Stanton.
Il am not aware that he was in London
yesterday. He has not said any thing about
It. "
well, at any rate, l have discovered
how your property goes and where some
and believe the whole of it Is "
And have you caught the thief"
1T is not n thief who takes 1T. 1"
What do you meanY'
Your goods are taken from this house
and disposed of, though not sold, by Mr.
Stanton. "
Mrs. Stanton was astonshed and could
hardly believe her own ears.
" But how can it be accounted for9" she
asked.
"Only 1 think in two ways-either he
needs to raise money for business pur
poses or he has hallucination.
He is not short of money, for he is Ger.
tainly very wealthy, and his business Is
exceedingly prosperous. AS To u balluci
nation, he once did suffer from a very pc
culiar one indeed. He thought that his
right arm was off But he was cured Of
that"
II think" said, "you had better con.
suit the same doctor again"
The doctor was Immediately sent for,
and he advised that nothing should at
present be said but that first of all the
black bag day by day should be exam.