Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-12-22
CHAPTER I.

Ever since my fortunate--or shall I
say unfortunate, connection with that
famous case of murder in Gramercy
park I have had it intimated to me by
many Of my friends-and by innumera-
BILE acquaintances-that no woman who
had met with such success in detective
work would ever be satisfied with a sim
gle display of her powers and that
sooner or later would find myself again
at work upon some other case of strik
ing peculiarities.
AS vanity has never been my foible,
and as, moreover, never have and never
would be likely to forsake the plain
path marked out for my sex at any 9TH
er call than that of duty, / invariably
responded 20 these insinuations by an
affable but incredulous smile, striving
to excuse their presumption by remem-
bering their ignorance of my nature and
the very excellent reasons had for my
one notable interference in the police
affairs of New York city.
Besides though appeared to be rest
ing quietly, if not in entire content
ment, on my laurels, was not so utter.
ly removed from the old atmosphere of
crime and its detection as the world in
general considered me. Mr.. Gryce still
visited me; not on business, of course,
but as a friend, as man for whom
had some regard, and naturally our con-
versation was not always confined to
the weather or even to city politics,
provocative as the latter subject is Of
controversy between all right thinking
men and women just now.
Not that he ever betrayed any of the
secrets of the Office or even any of his
own-oh, no; that would have been too
much to expect-but he did sometimes
mention some of the outward aspects of
some celebrated case, and though new
er ventured upon advice-I know too
much for that, hope-I found my wits
more or less exercised by a conversation
from which he expected to gain some
thing without acknowledging it, and I
to give something without appearing to
be conscious of the fact
I was therefore satisfied in my mind
and was finding life pleasant and full Of
interest when suddenly q had no right
to expect it, and l do not blame myself
for not expecting it or for holding my
head so high at the representations of
my friends) an opportunity came for a
direct exercise of my detective powers
in a line seemingly so laid out for me
by Providence that felt 1 would be
sighting the powers above if refused to
enter it, though now see that the line
was laid out for me by Mr.. Gryce and
that I was obeying anything but the
call of duty in embracing it,
But this is not explicit. Let me tell
the whole from the beginning. One
night Mr.. Gryce came to my house look
ing older and more feeble than usual.
He was engaged in perplexing case, he
said, and missed his early vigor and per-
sistency. Would like to hear about it?
1t was not in the line of his usual work,
yet it had points-and well-it would do
him good to talk about it to nonpro-
fessional who was capable of sympathiz-
ing with its battling and worrisome fea-
lures and yet would never have to be
told to hold her peace.
ought to have been on my guard. I
ought to have known the old fox well
enough to feel certain that when he
went so manifestly out Of his way to
take me into his confidence he did it
for purpose it would be well enough
for me to understand before placing
too great stress on his disabilities, but
Jove mods now and then-or SO have
been assured by what should be consid-
cred as unimpeachable authority-and
if Jove has ever been caught mapping
surely Amelia Butterworth may be par
doned for one such inconsistency.
cit is not a city crime" Mr.. Gryce
went on to explain, and here he was
base enough to sigh. AT my time of
life that is an important and far from
desirable consideration. 1t is no longer
a simple matter for me to pack up a
valise and go off to some distant vii
lage, way up in the mountains perhaps,
where comforts are few and secrecy an
impossibility. Comforts have become
indispensable to my threescore years
and ten, and secrecy-well, if ever
there was case where one needs to go
softly, it is this one, as you will see if
you will allow me to give you the facts
of the case az known at Headquarters
today"
1 bowed, trying not to show my sur
prise or my extreme satisfaction. Mr..
Gryce assumed his most benignant as
pect, always dangerous one with him,
and began his story.
CHAPTER II.