The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-19

Ridgewood had a thief: When I, Detec-
tive Martinez of the Chicago secret serv-
fee, was called out there, l found the town
in a state Of excitement over the robber-
les. The principal ones had taken place
in the mansion of Col Payne, the richest
man in Ridgewood.
The coloneIs residence stood in the cen
ter of the town. 1t was surrounded by a
lawn, which was shaped like a triangle,
with fountains and statuary at the three
corners, In the center rose the house-a
colonial affair, stately rather than ornate.
There had been four burglaries at the
Payne mansion. The first night silver was
taken-small pieces consisting of spoons,
forks. after-dinner coffees and knives
The second night a small rocking chair
disappeared and several velvet covered
foot stools. and nice little articles of brio
a-brac, designed for Christmas gifts. The
third night all the childreu's Christmas
toys that had been carefully stored away
in Santa Claus cupboard by Col Payne
and his Wife ready for Christmas eve,
disappeared. And the fourth night the cell
lar was pillaged of its wine and fruits.
Looks as if it was somebody inside the
house" said the colonel, after we had been
over the ground pretty well.
Not exactly" said I, cor why should
they take a rocking chair?"
That's So" said the colonel. well get
to work at 1t, and do the best you can"
The party that accompanied me through
the house consisted of the colonel and
his wife, the Oldest daughter-a girl of Is
and the colonel's private secretary, Will
lam Winter.
This is the window they got in at the
hrst night" said Winter pointing to a
bay window on the ground floor leading
out OF the dining room. ''And this is the
one they got i'm at the other nights" point
ing to another big window that was in
the staircase han alongside the front door
why didn't they always enter at the
same Window l asked, carelessly.
That's what bothers me-" said Winter.
but you can go see for yourself that
they didn't" pointing to trampled places
under both of the windows.
You see, it was this way" said the
colonel I'VE were greatly alarmed the
first night vixen the silver was taken. and
we set watch over the things. From
that night to the present this house has
been steadily guarded from the inside ev-
cry night, from dark until daylight. And
yet we have had three robberies since
during that time. 1t is the strangest thing
! ever saw, and Ia give $500 to catch the
burglars"
Are they operating anywhere else in
Ridgewood?" I asked.
Yes, said Winter, promptly ''They
tried to steal some things out of the
church last night, and week ago they
broke into the Office of the gas company
Are you familiar there?" l asked.
Yes" said Winter
one thing more, colonel before / go, -
said. viii you tell me the name of
the person who was on guard In your
house the last three nights?"
1 was the person." said Winter
IAN right, colonel 1 said. Il am going
back 10 Chicago to-day to stay about a
week, but I viii be back Christmas eve
and then / will look up your thief for you.
And, by the way, you might get ready for
your Christmas tree, for / expect TO give
YOU all your things back in time for your
Christmas celebration.
The colonel looked skeptical and Win
ter shook his head sadly
Don't you think you had better stey
here If you are going to look for him %
asked the colonel
No ] said. 1T isn't necessary. Good
day, you can look for me Christmas eve. "
said goodbye, but / didn't leave Ridge.
wood after all ] only went away "a,
enough 10 hide myself in a certain IitIl
hotel in the little town. and there l wait.
ed and Watched-did as Slick dete,tiv.
work as l ever did in my life, even in 2
big city on the biggest robbery l evei
mad. Il was hard work, and / worke,
hard at il. The only vacation took va.
long enough to drop a line to Col. Pavne
telling him to get ready TO celebrnt.
Christmas and TO allow room on his Christ