Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-07-09
CHAPTER III.

IT was destined to have one more
singular experience that night. Leaving
the maids room found by my watch
that it was only IL o'clock, and there
fore went back TO my own room, where
a short time later was surprised by a
tap on my door. Thinking that was
wanted at the bedside of my patient
hurried out and was astonished to find
that my visitor was Mr.. Joseph Milton.
ST admitted him, and he explained
his purpose at once.
I hope am not intruding, doctor,
but the fact is I couldn't go to sleep
without trying TO regain your good
opinion.
What makes you think that you
have forfeited itr asked
oh, / am not like the ostrich, said
he i don't hide my head under my
wing and expect 10 escape observation.
You witnessed that little episode n the
hall awhile ago, and am sure yos REQ
ognized me. You did, did yoq neg /
admitted the fnct, and be continuedt \
knew It. Well. let me tell you The
truth, for the Sake of the girl. / mee
her by chance. and she looked so pretty
that couldn't resist the temptation to
kiss her. It's failing of mine, sup
pose. When / zee pretty girl, / just
have q craving co salute her lips. But
that ends 1t. | assure you. 1 don't mean
the girls any harm. and you muse0' I
think this one was at fault She couldn =
help herself. and that is all there Is
about &c. An houess confession Is good
for the soul. they say, and ! certainly
feel better for having told you the
truthr
'I thought II best to humoT the idea
that he could thus hoodwink me- and !
pretended to be quite willing 60 believe
him. l invited him to stop and chat
with me until 1 should return to my
patient, and we smoked a couple of CT
gars together.
"At midnight returned to Mr. Mil
toms bedside and half an hour later ]
had the pleasure of seeing him shake of
his lethargy and show signs Of return
ing strength and vitality, so that knew
that the crisis was safely passed. SAT
up during the remainder of the might
and allowed the valet to sleep Indeed,
he needed rest, having been continuous
| ~ hWdAO IOK over 90 4OuEG
''About o'clock In the morning Mr..
Milton was awake and had sufficiently
recovered to talk to me. He declared
that he had no knowledge whatever Of
what had occurred, and it required
some little time before he could ever
be reminded of the loss of mis- money
Eventually he seemed to recall the cir
rumstance, but apparently took no IN
terest either in its loss or possible re-
covery. In fact, he showed such signs
of dissatisfaction at my persisting IN
discussing the matter that I thought
best to say no more and even began to
consider the probability of his having
been the thief after all. It was not i'm
possible that during one Of his aberrani
periods he had secreted the money and
that the maid, If she knew Of its where
abouts at all, as / had so readily con
cluded, had gained her knowledge by
seeing him in the act OF hiding the
packet of bills. Thus 1t will be seer
that as the hour of 10 approached, a
which time 1 looked for the denoue
ment, I was still not certain Of my the
Ories, and 1 waited with some anxiety
81 had arranged to have Miss Milton
and Mr.. Joseph in the room. and de
tanned them by conversation that the,
might witness whatever occurred. Tn
valet also was present, because 1 haI
set him a task which kepk him In tn
} room.
CAT last the hour struck, and almos
at the moment the maid, Rose, came in
! At sight of as all she stopped a momen
: and hesitated- made signal for 81
+ lence, and all looked from me to th
3 girl mystified-
d 1.-THE maids hesitation lasted bee
moment, and then she moved swift
across the floor until Ehe stood befor
: Mr.. Millions bureau, when she took
, parcel from under her epson, and. open
4 ing q draweS, dropped Il In The AZ
9 completed. she tuSned Co leave the room
and her gaze met that Of the valet, VII
o was staring ~ her with open amag'
ment. She uttered a mufled cry an
/ dropped Imply 70 tho floor Ia q swooE
1--WE hurried 20 her and lifted her |
!. the lounge, where she was placed In
recumbent position.
1t "'Let her lie there, said ], while
/ explain what has occurred
p "Then opened the bureau drawe
g where, surely enough, found the 10
r money, 40 bills Of 81, 900 each, still IA
it tened with the bands placed arouu
RI them at the bank. took them to M
h Milton, but he accepted them with Ii