The St. Johns herald., 1897-01-30
THEMIDNIGHTWATCH

THEMIDNIGHTWAICH 1t was during the time of my connec- ton with the Blankborough police force that the incident related in the follow ing lines occurred. Although there is nothing startling in the details, and the unraveling Of the mystery with which they deal required no great amount of n-s--i== -- ssaslt, .-s..''ll .-s.'l .------..4.tlle1 to think that there is sufficient interest about the affair to warrant making it public
 was engaged with the superintendent one morning on some routine business when a note was handed in from Mr. Br1dgnorth, a well-known solicitor practicing in the town. The superin- tendent read the missive and then turned to me.
 Tt is a case of pilfering, Sampson" he said, "and the thief, of course, can- not be discovered. There Is nothing re- quiring your services this morning-go and see what you can do in the matter" put on my hat and went, as directed. MT. Bridgnorth's place was well known to me and was soon the occupant of a seat in the private room at his office.
 Il have been a good deal concerned of late" said the solicitor, turning to the business at once, about the abstraction of certain sums of money from my cash box in my desk, and as I fear that I heinz rnhhnd Inv in, In office, and cannot put my hand on the actual offender, I am compelled to seek the aid of the police"
 Quite so, sir," said I, "and it will be both the duty and the pleasure of the force, and of myself, to give you every possible assistance in the matter. How long have the offerings been going onY asked.
 About week or ten days" was the reply; 'and the robberies always take place at night, after the office Is closed"
 "HOw do you know that?"
 Because I count the cash in my desk every evening before locking up, when everybody has left, and again the next morning, before anyone arrives" said Mfr. Bridgnorth.
 What are the sums you have missed?"
 taken, another t7, and q third E3 and 60 on. Altogether have been robbed Of 55 soyereigns, and I don't know where ft Is going to end"
 Have you any suspicion as to whom the thief may be?"
 "None whatever-unless- Mir. Bridgnorth hesitated.
 'Go on, sir" said. "Give expression to your thoughts; they may furnish clew."
 'T was going to say" continued the solicitor, with some apparent reluc- tance, unless it be Hartley, but can- not believe him guilty of such a thing" he added.
 "Who is Hartley?" asked.
 My confidential clerk" replied MT. Bridgnorth. "He has been with me ever since he was boy and his charac- ter has always been above suspicion"
 'Then why should his name occur to you In connection with these thefts?" queried.
 "Well, 1t is like this," said the solic- itor. Hartley and I are the only per sons who sleep on the premises, and as there are no signs of burglarious entry and the thefts always take place in the night, am, in spite of myself, driven to a certain conclusion"
 'The natural one, in the circum- stances" ventured. "But tell me, you keep several clerks in addition to Hart ley"
 "Yes; four others"
 "At what time do they leave? .''Six o'clock"
 ''When do you lock up?"
 About 6:30 or seven"
 "You lock your desk and the office door?"
 ''Yes."
 Docs anyone besides yourself pos sess keys of either?"
 Hartley does, of bOth."
 "A nd vc-' sav no s}c-1e --- .l- --.~.---- ises?"
 Yes"
 ~No one elsef'
 Myself"
 ''But you to not live here, Mfr. Bridg- northT'
 Quite so. 1Iv rasidenCc Ls .. ,a. outskirts of the town, but for several nights I have been sleeping at inc office"
 'In order to catch the thief?" Queried.
 Indeed, that was not my motive. at all," said the lawyer, quickly. And as a matter of fact the robberies have only occurred since my sojourn in the place; they never once happened before"
 every likely. But, assuming that Hartley is the thief, can you suggest a motive for his pilferings?" I asked.
 "None whatever" was the reply.
 What kind of a life does he lead? Steady?'
 Nobody more so."
 Doesn't bet nor gambler"
 Neither, to my knowledge He is engaged to very respectable girl, and 1 know, as fact, that he shortly con- templates housekeeping
 "Ah! there is motive for offering" said, with shrug of the shoulders.
 "How so?" asked the solicitor.
 "Why, a house requires furniture and furniture costs money" I said.