Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-12-13


anything else l wish to ask you, and
again apologize for troubling you. There
is one thing, however-what is your
height"
Five feet nine inches," replied made
moiselle wonderingly. "Why do you ask
such question:"
"Oh, merely for curiosity. Just my
own height, you know" replied Morti-
mer, bowling politely as Mile. Valerie re-
tired.
went out into the garden and strolled
about for time. In about an hour / was
joined by my companion, and together
we proceeded to the postoffice.
! waited outside the postof6ce while
Mortimer went in and spoke to the post
master. When he came out l noticed q
peculiar smile Of satisfaction on his face.
"Any more clewsY / remarked.
"Well, yes" he replied. II venture
to think that I have now reached the
joining together stage"
Reaching the manor we were shown
into the library, where we found Sir
Claude seated with a troubled look on
his face.
II have just had an interview with
Mile. Valerie" he explained. "She has
given notice that she is resigning, and
declares that she will leave the house to-
day. She says she will not stay an
other day in place where she is sus.
pected of robbery"
Indeed" replied Mortimer quietly.
"Where is she now? Can see her for a
momentw
II shall ring and ask her to come here.
am very vexed that this should have
happened. for my wife prizes her very
highly and will be extremely sorry to
| lose her."
| In a few moments mademoiselle en-
| and defantly.
"Mlle. Valerie" said Mortimer in his
| gentlest tone, II understand that you are
naturally indignant at being suspected
of being implicated in the unfortunate
robbery. Allow me to assure you that
for my part do not suspect you of being
the perpetrator Of it. l am perfectly GER
| tain of the fact"
The effect of the latter words was
| startling. Mademoiselle turned pale and
would have fallen had l not caught her
and assisted her to couch. Sir Claude
stared at the detective in an amazed
| manner.
as this really the case?" he asked
| after a painful silence. 81 cannot be.
lieve it. Have you any proof Of your
statement"
I'm the first place. it is evident that
the robbery must have taken place be-
tween the hours Of 3 and 10 a. m. As
| mademoiselle herself acknowledges, she
passed along the corridor after 3 o'clock.
Secondly. you will recollect the burpe!
NJ oh hsny. l.
The room was cleaned - Midnight by
the maid, and the gas was left burning,
and 1t was turnedssf by Lady Gladstone
herself when r;iring. 1t may be safely
assune.S, therefore, that the match was
PLACED there after o'clock. Further.
fLd that the match is of a peculiar make.
and the housemaid is certain there is only
one box of the kind in the house. That
box was last left in the drawing room.
1t has since been found in mademoiselle' 8
room!
Thirdly. probably you observed the
particular attention l paid to that old
fashioned wardrobe. 1t struck me that,
! standing as it does so near the door, a
lady entering the room, especially in the
dark, would be almost certain to brush
against it. Adhering to the sharp edges
| OF the ornamental brasswork | found
several pieces Of wool which, on examina.
ton through the microscope, found to
correspond exactly in color and texture
to the dress worn by mademoiselle on the
night in question.
"Fourthly, it is a well known fact that
lady can never behold looking glass
without succumbing to the temptation to
look at herself in it. Lady GLADSTONE
herself confesses that on the night in
question she did indulge in this essen
tally feminine trait. Now the glass,
which is very small one, was placed at
such an angle as to render it quite i'm.
possible for Lady Gladstone. who is
rather under average height. to see her.
self in it. On the other hand. it was
| exactly suited for person of made
moiselle's height.
"Fifthly, from information received, !
called at the postoffice this morning and
ind that on the day after the robbery
mademoiselle dispatched box per parcel
post addressed to M. Jules Valerie in
Paris. / have wired the postal officials
in Paris to detain this box, and think
II will be found to contain the missing
pearls"
We were still sitting in silence when
there came gentle knock to the door,
and Lady Gladstone entered. In her hand
she held beautiful pearl necklace!
'The pearls!" exclaimed Sir Claude,
bounding from his chair in amazement.
wherever did you get them?"
"Oh, Claude, have made a most ride
ulous mistake! ! feel so ashamed of my
self to have caused all this fuss. The
fact is. found my necklace fastened to
the dress wore at the ball. l must have
| forgotten to unfasten il, and in the morn
ing | was so certain | had left it on the
table that ] never thought of looking at
the dress. ! opened the wardrobe few
minutes ago. and you can imagine my joy
at finding the pearls safe."
With an effort Mortimer recovered his
composure.
Under the circumstances / presume
You will not wish to pursue the case
against Mile. Valerie any further" he in.
quired. turning to Sir Claude. although.
as have shown you, it is a good case
a very good case"
| As we walked down toward the station
Mortimer kicked the stones that lay in
his path in moody manner.
AT any rate, you have found that de-
tective's life is not entirely a bed of
roses" he muttered refectively. ut was
a beautiful case too. II that meddlesome
woman hadn't interfered believe !
could have secured the conviction on the
evidence. But il is all my own fault. AS
have already told you, a detective
should uevar assuma ANYTHING and