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

"WhGt did you do next?"
81 won't back to my breakfast.
"Did you tell tho maid that the doc
tor had called:"
"No, SIR"
"Why not?"
"Well, partly because I did not
think it necessary, and partly, l sup
pose, because Gho had not como into the
breakfast room yet. Moulton smiled a
little as though he thought that he had
said something clever.
"Did the doctor find the maid in her
mistress room?'
"No, sir. heard the doorbell again
and went up. Tho doctor was standing
in the hall. He said he rang the door
bell because he did not know how else
to call me. Then no said Miss Nora had
left her room. which was against the
orders he gave tho night before, and
that was to tell the maid TO have her
back in bed at once, and he would call
again in an hour. went back to the
breakfast room, and this time the maid
was there, and frightened she was when
gave her the message" +"
"When tho doctor told you that Miss
Nora was not in her room, were you
surprised?"
"No, SIR"
Upon this admission Mr.. Barnes ask
ed quickly:
"You knew already that she had been
stolen?"
But Moulton readily avoided direct
answer.
"Why, how should I know that,
sir?" he asked quietly.
Mr.. Barnes observed him for a mo-
ment in silence and then asked to have
the maid called. He told Moulton that
he had finished with him "for tho pres
ent, F." and the butler retired, with o sat
isfled smile upon his face.
While waiting for the maid Mr..
Barnes addressed Mr.. Gedney.
"Mr Gedney," said he, "you have
not told mo tho name Of the DOCTOR"
His name is Donaldson-Stephen
Donaldson.
"Has he served you long"
Ever since he came into this neigh
borhood, about three years ago. He first
came to us at the timo Of my wifes
death. I have retained him since that
time. He is good, kind man, and I
think he is quite as fond of Elinora as I
am myself. This explains his solicitude
about her and his early call. He has a
rather curious theory. He thinks she
may have wandered otY in her sleep
during the night"
"Why, has she ever exhibited tend
ency toward somnambulisln?"
eyes At least we have found her
asleep out of her own room, but nothing
of tho sort has happened for over two
years, and supposed that she had out.
grown her sleep walking habit.
"This adds most interesting phase, :"
said Mr. Barnes. II would like to
speak to DR.. Donaldson about it, Do
you think he will be here today?"
II expect him, as he promised to
come at about this hour. Here is Bron-
son, my daughters maid"
This directed the attention of Mr..
Barnes to young woman who had just
entered. She was evidently dreadfully
alarmed at being summoned to meet a
detective, and her eyes showed that she
had been weeping.
Come, my girl" said Mr.. Barnes
reassuringly, "you need not be fright
ened. Ionly wish to ask you few ques-
tions. You are willing to help me to
find your mistress. are you not?''
ooh, indeed, indeed, yes, sir
"Then tell me exactly how she was
OH Monday night when you cent for the
Doctor"
Tho girl composed herself with an
effort, still finding it difficult to find
proper words with which to address O
detective.
"Miss Nora acted odd all Monday and
was melancholy like. She'd sit and stare
out Of the window and not answer when
I spoke to her. thought perhaps some-
thing had bothered her, and so I left
her alone, meaning to speak to Mr..
Gedney at dinner time But he sent a
telegram that he was going out Of town.
And so when Miss Nora wouldn't come
down to dinner and wouldn't answer
Or look at me, but just kept staring out
of the window, got scared little and
thought best to send for DR.. Donaldson. I"
"What did he say when he examined
your mistress?"
''He talked to her, but she wouldn't
answer him either. He patted her on
the head and said she was sulky. Then
no told me perhaps she was angry be-
cause her father wouldn't come home,
but that she, must not be allowed to
brood over trifies He said 7 must put
her to bed, and he left some medicine
that he said would put her to Sleep"
"Put her to sleep?" repeated Mr..
Barnes thoughtfully. "Did it occur to
you that perhaps she was asleep al
ready, even though her eyes were not
closed!"
"No, sir, it didn't But, now you
speak of it, it wouldn't surprise me in
the least. She certainly didn't act as
though she was awake"
'Did you have any trouble toput her
to bed?"
"No, sir, though that was strange.
She just stood still and let me do every
thing. She did not help me, and she did
not prevent me-.
"When did you see her after that?"
II never saw her after that" the
maid cried softly.
"Was it not your duty to go to her
room again before retiring yourself?"
eyes, sir. But-but-but'- She
seemed confused and stopped.
"Go on" said Mr.. Barnes. "Tell all
that you know"
II don't know anything, sir. Indeed
! don't. I-I-l-well, was later than