The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1900-05-05
I had It now. It wAs . load Of book.

Then the truth flashed upon me. Dan
ders was the clerk at the library whom
had met In the alcove when had gone
to look at that copy of the Londoner.
My work was done. finished my beer
and went to the house OF my friend the
librarian, getting his address from the
directory.
"Can you tell me whose handwriting
that is?" asked him. producing Dan.
ders' letter TO the Gazette.
"Certainly," said he, without Sec
ond's hesitation. Its the writing OF
Jameson, the man who has charge OF
the magazine department of the Ii
brary."
Then i told him what had learned.
81 never fully trusted that fellow"
was my friends comment as he agreed
to meet me at the library the next morn
ing.
When got there he was already In
his private room, and before him was
the famous card bearing Miss Robert
sons name.
Pm afraid that you don't half know
your business, Mr.. Detective" said he,
with a smile.
I'm afraid not" said j.
"Take another look at that card, and
tell me il you discover nothing pc
culiar."
"Yes," said /, new light breaking in
upon me. 1.-THE words 'Londoner, 1s4S,'
are in imitation of the rest of the hand
writing of the card, but are by anoth-
err hand"
"Of course" responded the librarian.
'Now that we know the truth, we are
wonderfully sharp, are we not? Those
words are in Jameson's hand disguised
| to initiate Miss Robertson's handwrit-
ing, which covers the rest of the card.
| Here is Jameson's last report to me OF
the condition of his department. Look
at the capital in his signature and the
| capital j in June on that card. The
reason for oil this is clear. Our men
are forbidden to take books from the
| shelves except upon the written order
of visitors. But they can read the books
returned during the day and need not
put them back on the shelves until even
ing. In order to keep that copy of the
Londoner while copying the stories sold
| to the Gazette jameson put ii down at
| the end of Miss Robertson's list for the
day. Observe that on all these cards
| of Miss Robertson's the Londoner al
ways comes last"
The case seemed clear enough.
81 have sent for jameson" continued
| the librarian. Here he is now"
The interview was painful one. The
| fellow confessed in an abject manner
and begged for mercy. He had needed
the money for debts, and would refund
il at once il allowed to go. consulted
by telephone with Burton, and that aft
ernoon jameson paid back the hundred
dollars and left the library forever.
When that part of my work was fin
ished went over to where Miss Robert
son was putting up her papers for the
day. The young idiot in green goggles
was preparing to grin and carry her
books TO the desk. She started and
flushed as ] approached her chair.
"Will you allow me to help you with
these books?" said /, as IL nothing un-
pleasant had ever happened between
us. 81 have something to tell you when
we get outside"
"Have you found the theft" she an
swered, gravely.
II have" said I, barely able 10 con-
ceal the note of triumph in my voice.
When we reached the street / told
her all.
81 am glad for your sake" she said.
"You have recovered your hundred dol
lars" She was still deeply offended
divinity.
"The hundred dollars? That was OF
no importance. / should have given ten
times the sum to win the privilege of
taking back your umbrella and to hear
you say you forgive me. In time shall
hope to make your father forgive me,
too"
"My fnther-knows nothing of this
wrctched blun-business. never told
him that his daughter had been suspect
ed of theft"
"Then may take back your umbrella
this evening? You said that when L
found the thief you would forgive me.
You have great deal TO forgive. The
best OF us may blunder, Miss Robertson.
You must not expect too much of
young man whose acquaintance you
made in the--library."
Every well" she said, simply, and the
shadow was lifted.
Shall l go on? Is IL worth while?
Friends of ours sometimes speak of the
wonderful success of newspaper men as
amateur detectives. Then my wife
smiles quietly. But think that also
can afford TO smile. You would think
SO, too, IL you knew her.
THE END.