Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-04-08

"Put her to sleep" repeated Mr.. Barnes.
to him Miss Nora wouldn't have been
carried off. He might have seen the
thief. "
"Just so," said Mr.. Barnes, and as
the doctor was announced he allowed
the maid to 60.
DR.. Donaldson appeared to be a gen.
ial, elderly medical man Of the old
school-one of those who bring an at
mosphere of convalescence and hope into
sick chambers. Mr.. Gedney introduced
him to Mr.. Barnes, and he advanced
and shock the detective cordially by the
hand.
~ am delighted, Mr.. Barnes, that my
old friend Gedney has been sensible
enough to engage you to unravel this af-
fair rather than call in the police. The
police are bunglers, who depend for sue
cess upon publicity and newspaper aid.
This affair can be managed without pub
licity, eh? You have looked into the
matter? What do you think?"
"That is precisely the question, doc
tor, which was about to ask you. Mr..
Gedney tells me that you think somnam-
bulism. "
"Just SO. But only said it might be
that. Doctors, you know, are as careful
as detectives i'll forming conclusions.
You have heard that I was called in to
see the dear little girl on Monday night?
Well, found her in strange mood.
Thinking it over, l have almost con.
vinced myself that what we took for
stubbornness-sulks, I think called it
was somnambulism-th that, in fact,
she was asleep when saw her. That
would account for her not replying to
questions and Offering no resistance
when her maid removed her clothing to
put her to bed. Still, it is merely guess,
1t is possible that she arose in the night
and wandered out of the house. I only
venture the suggestion as vague clew
for you to work FROM"
sA"What do you think of this letter."
asked Mr.. Barnes, handing him the
Anonymous communication signed "M.
E."
The doctor read it twice over and then
said:
''Looks more like somnambulism than
ever. Don't you see? She must have
dressed herself in the night and wan
dered off. Some one found her and has
taken her home and now tries to make
capital out of it. Will you notice this?"
"We have already inserted an adver-
tisement in The Herald, said Mr. Ged-
ney, "asking for terms.'
II suppose that was the wisest
course" said the doctor, "and l hope
you will soon recover little Nora. I
trust, though, that Mr.. Barnes may be
able to save you paving out anything to
the scoundrel. Well, other people are
waiting for me-" with which remark
DR.. Donaldson left the house.
Mr.. Barnes promised Mr.. Gedney to
lose no time in his search and was leav-
ing the house. when, at the door, the
butler stopped him by saying:
THERE'S one thing, perhaps, sir, that
ought to tell you, though it may not
amount to anything"
"What is it?' asked Mr.. Barnes.
"Well, sir, as you know, the master
was out on Monday night. 1t was near
10 o'clock when the doorbell rang,
which surprised me. I answered the
bell, and it was Mr.. Mitchell" "
''Mr. Leroy Mitchell" asked the de-
tective, much interested.
"Yes, sir. He comes here often,
though not SO late at night. He said he
was passing, and, seeing light in the
library, thought he'd drop in and have
a cigar with the master When I told
him Mr.. Gedney was not at home, he
said it was of no consequence, and |
needn't mention that he had called.'
"Did you tell Mr.. Gedney of this Wis.,
it?"
"No, sir, though I did think it odd to
be asked to keep it secret" The but
Ter uttered the last word in very sug-
gestive tone. but the detective appeared
not to notice it.
an just step back and speak word
with Mr.. Gedney," said Mr.. Barnes
after brief pause. Finding that gen.
tleman, he asked:
"By the way, Mr.. Gedney. when you
spoke to Mr.. Mitchell about this matter
what did he think of it? Did he express
any opinion?'
"Yes. He said the doctor was most
likely correct, and that he thought that
Nora had merely wandered away in her
sleep; that she was not really abducted
| at all. He told me TO cheer ID :nd not