Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-10-17

IT,
For a few moments I sat dazed at
my discovery. That, however, was no
state of mind for a detective, especially
for a detective who had detected some
thing. What was to do2 penounce
this young girl as possible thief to the
library authorities? Such a course
would put an end to her chances for
copying any more English stories for
American newspapers; but 1t would
mean disgrace, and In all probability it
would not result in recovering the $500
that the Gazette had lost. Moreover.
the more I thought of the girl and her
pleasant ways, the less l liked the idea
Of accusing her of wrongdoing. pom
dered the problem for good hour.
Danders' note was in my pocket. 1t
was some encouragement to find that
the handwriting was not bit like the
fine feminine scrawl of Miss Ellen Rob-
ertson. 1t was perfectly possible that
this copy of the Londoner might have
been taken out by another person, Dan
ders, for instance, as we'll as by Miss
Robertson. With this theory in view
I went manfully to work at my cards
again, and so thoroughly convinced
myself that such must be the case that
when my friend, the librarian, passed
my desk at closing time, and asked me
whether had found my man, was
weak enough to say, No. According
to the strict terms of the inquiry, /
had not found my man; it was wom-
an. came across several more cards
bearing Miss Robertson's signature
and a request for the Londoner of 1s4s;
evidently she had used the volume al
most every day for a week. That even
ing kept away from the Gazette of
fee in order to avoid the questions /
should have met there, for I had re-
ported that I was examining the cards
in the Manhattan library. Thus does
conscience make towards even of sue
cessful detectives.
The next day put in eight hours of
work at my bundles of cards, going
back half q year. Apparently no one else
had touched that number of the Lon
doner or any other number of that
magazine. reviewed the evidence as
detectives are wont to do in books.
Here was a young woman engaged from
morning till night in copying from the
Londoner of June, 1s4s. 'sDaisy's
Quest had been stolen from this book,
and according to Terrill, an expert, it
was unlikely that there was another
copy outside of that library to be found
in the country. No other person had
taken the book out.
Nevertheless, before any accusation
could be made, 1t would certainly be
necessary to connect Miss Robertson
with Danders. That might not be
easy. Puzzled and sick at heart, l was
leaving the library at four o'clock,
when at the door found Miss Robert.
son gazing out into the rain with dis
may. I had purposely avoided her dur
ing the day, contenting myself with
making sure that she was at work as
usual. 1t was impossible to avoid her
now, for had an umbrella and she
had none. Perhaps, after all, de-
tective ought not to neglect this OPP
portunity to know more of Miss Rob-
ertson. So offered to take her to the
car. Her manner was trifle stiff;
perhaps she had noted and resented my
studied avoidance.
LET me see-you will have to take a
Sixth avenue car" said this particular
detective, in his stupid way.
''Why, yes; but how did you know
that?" said Miss Robertson, her GU
riosity getting the best Of her displeas-
ure, if there had been any displeasure.
Perhaps it was only my conceit that
gave birth to this latter fancy.
I have always been considered a
fairly ready liar, but for a few seconds
I stumbled. could not tell her that
had her address carefully copied into
my note hook. suppose it was news