Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-08-18
CAUGHT
BY Clifford Trembly.

VIM OAo"AhS the vines against the
house"
at sounded like breaking glass. L
wish you'd go down, John"
~Oh, pshaw!"
1T may be burglars"
well, let them help themselves; I'm
TOO sleepy to raise objections
Mrs. Arnold listened intently for a
moment, then, believing herself to have
been mistaken, she, too, dropped
asleep.
Early the next morning the worthy
couple were awakened by a vigorous
pounding on their door.
mr.. Arnold!' called the servant.
Mr.. Arnold, come down. quickl Some
thing dreadful has happened"
Mrs. Arnold was on her feet In a
moment. What is it?' she called
through the door.
Robbery and everything in tho IL
Ibrary turned upside down"
1t was strange sight that met the
eyes of the family as they entered the
little library, which was usually so
tfidy. Chairs were overturned. books
and papers scattered about in wild con-
i1hsion, and a large plate glass window
was smashed into fragments. Mr.. Ar
aoid's desk was opened. the contents
OF the various drawers were scattered
about the floor, and the box containing
his private papers was missing.
Il told him sol" said Mrs Arnold.
They were the FIRST words that had
been spoken since the worthy couple
entered the room.
II wish had needed YOU" said Mr..
Arnold, ruefully-
Il don't" said his daughter Ruth.
'~You might have been shot"
CT would have riSked a great deal"
replied Mr.. Arnold, rather than have
lost tho papers which that box con-
jtAined."
your deeds and insurance papers,
were they not?" asked his wife. THE
deeds are properly registered, and the
insurance papers can be readily du-
'piicated There is no great loss"
"But that was not ALL" interrupted
Mr. Arnold. AZ had sent 81 900 to VIII
hams, in New York, to invest In govern
ment bonds, and last night while you
and Ruth were out calling, received
. package from him containing the
bonds. placed them in that box for
issfekeeping. / don't see why could
not have thought of them, last night,
when you awakened mel"
Father" said Ruth-the only one
in the family who had retained her
spresence of mind-"the police must be
notified at once Leave everything just
n 1t is, and III telephone to the sta
ton"
In q short time the chief of police
and his lieutenant were carefully in
vestigating the scene of the robbery.
you know no reason for the rob-
beryr questioned the officer, except
the value OF the papers taken?"
None, whatever" replied Mr.. Ar
mold.
THE robbers evidently took their
time. 1t is strange none of you heard
them come through the window"
my wife did hear"
But they did not come through the
window" interrupted Ruth. THAT was
used only for an exit after the robbery
had been committed.
The officer looked in establishment at
the pretty girl before him.
Miss Arnold" he said, smiling, "the
detective field is before you'll May I
ask you your reasons for believing that
the persons who entered this room
last night did not come in through the
Window"
Tho window was broken from the
inside, sir. The glass is on the porch,
not in the ROOM"
The officer looked at the window,
gave a low whistle, and then smiled.
You are right, Miss Arnold" he said,
then, turning to Mr.. Arnold, asked;
What about your servants?"
I'VE have only two, and they have
been with Us for years. I cannot
think of their being connected with
this crime"
But the person who committed the
robbery was evidently let into the
house by some one"
Then why did not that some one
also let them out?' asked Ruth.
Another good point" said the off,
Ger.
They evidently did not enter by the
doors or windows on the lower floor"
said Ruth; II believe they came in
through tne skylight. 1t is not diff
hcult matter to reach the roof by vyay
OF the back porch and the eavespipe.
I've seen brother do it often when he
was home"
But why did not our burglar leave
the house in the same way he en-
tered% asked the officer, smilingly.
Because, in shutting the door after
no had entered the room, the catch
was sprung, locking him IN. When
he got ready to leave he broke the
window my means of that chair and
made his escape"
"You speak as If there were but
one"
Il believe, upon thinking of it, that
there was but one" replied Ruth.
Had there been two, they would have
consulted together, when they found
the door had fastened, and would have
seen that little patient work would
have enabled them to unlock it with
out danger of detection. There must