Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1900-07-21


have enabled them TO unlock II with
OUT danger of detection. There must
have been but one and he was no
doubt new 20 the work. As for break
ing the window with that chnir-you
win notice that the legs are badly
scratched; they were not so yester-
day
Before returning TO headquarters 20
give Instructions 80 his men. the cfii-
Ger said 20 Ruth. with great earnest
ness: Miss Arnold. ours is ar hon
1900 .,rotsSSaon- IN E-.ss- - - ...-c
may be said TO the contrary. and
should YOU ever desire 20 make use
OF the ability which YOU possess, l
shall he only too glad 20 assist you
NY daughter a detective, eN-
claimed Mr.. Arnold, Indignantly Il
guess not"
Never mind. father. there isn't
much danger OF my becoming femi-
nine representative OF sherlock
Holmes. But / somehow seem 20 feel
that a cannot only discover your pa
pers. but the person who took them
as well. Let me do what ! can. and
81 ] am succcssful-wcn. you may be-
obliged 90 get me a new hat. or some
thing else very .ice."
That the robbery. when told in the
| daily press. created sensation I'm the
| quiet little city IN which IL occurred
was a forcgone conclusion. Il was
nothing. however. compared 20 the IN
! terest aroused 10y the various vivid re
/ citals OF "Our Lady Pinhertcn. most
I OF which were. as matter OF course
/ more imaginative than true. The OFF
Ger. impressed with Miss Arnold's abit
ity. had made a few unguarded re-
marks which had been quietly WORKED
M into a good story for local publica
tion. and as "a result she soon founc
herself the center OF considerable no
toriety It was exceedingly distaste
ful 20 her. as well as 10 her falaily
and friends. for tho Arnolds belonged
10 the more aristocratic CIRCLES Of SO
ciety.
We'll" said Ruth. philosophically
what can't be cured must be en-
dured. and I'm going on with this
work. anyhow. Mr.. Dixon viii be hers
this morning. and ! wish YOU 10 b'
present at our Interview, pleas
papa"
Mr.. Dixon. one OF the best detect
ives in the country was ushered int
the library He had arrived in tn
city on the day following the robbery
and had since been investigating tn
various ciews.
r you understand. he said. wit
q characteristic abruptness, that 81
crecy is one OF the first lessons the ds
tective must learn"
E "You have nothing 10 fear so far q
? father and I are concerned replie
c Ruth.
4 Had not the very highest idea q
l. your reticence. 1 assure you should no
be here to-day. May I ask" he contiI
e ued. as they seated themselves aroun
l. the library table. your opinion as
who is the thief?"
D eve have not gone as far as that
It replied Mr.. Arnold
Then am one ahead; I have l.
= Gated my man."
"It was not a man. Mr Dixon. wi
IT committed that crime" said Ruth; 81
~ stead. IL was tall woman with blaC
curly hair"
"Aliss Arnold. you surprise me!"
"You notice this small stand" co
tinued Ruth. with my fathers rea
ing lamp upon IL? Well. the chandeli
above il is so low that even l cann
Al pass under il without touching n
head. My father had il fixed that ";
ie so as 10 bring the light down as clos
l ly as possible. and as We have alwa
~ kept this stand beneath it. nobody h
IN ever interfercd with il. This stand "
&c overturned by our midnight vistC
who. by the way, called at II minut
nc past y. and. after trying the door. 5
'H' ran across che room. coming in conta
with the chandelier. Now. if you {
w anime closely you will see a Tor
- black. curly hair hanging on the cha
'u' delier. II has been there since Z
u night of the robbery"
Seventeen minutes past l2." mus
W Mr.. Dixon. How did you arrive
~ that?'
1.-The little Swiss clock on my fathe
=, desk was overturned and stopped
- that hour. Ii is so constructed that
viii not run unless in an upright ]
sition. Before the woman came dow
stairs she entered the large room OF
az this one. took one of the wax eand
from the sconce on the wall and ligl
- ed il. She descended the stairs withC
/. ;, either shoes or stockings. and plas
~ =. L.t 49, I1..r4