The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-04-17

would have noticed ito' U,
'Thank you. l a, hot think there q
anything else wish to ask you, 'apd 1,
again apologize for troubling you. There
Is one thing, howeyer-what Is your.
height2"
Five feet nine inches" replied made
moisells wonderingly. why do you ask
such a 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 stroled
about for time. In about an hour was
Joined by my companion, and together
We proceeded to the postofice.
l waited outside the p0stoffice while
Mortimer went in and spoke to the post
master. When he came out noticed
peculiar smile of satisfaction on his face.
"Any more clewsT remarked.
swell, yes" he replied. Il venture
to think that l 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"
'Indced," replied Mortimer quietly.
"Where is she now? Can see her for
momentW
II shall ring and ask her to come here.
l am very vexed that this should have
happened, for my wife prizes her very
highly and will be extremely sorry to :
lose her."
In few moments mademoiselle en-
tered the room, holding herself proudly
and defiantly.
"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 not caught her
and assisted her to couch. Sir Claude
stared at the detective in an amazed
manner.
"ls this really the case?" he asked
after a painful silence. II cannot be.
lieve it. Have you any proof of your
statementT'
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
mademOisele herself acknowledges, sho
passed along the corridor after 3 o'clock.
Secondly, you will recolect the burned
match which was found on the table.
The room was cleaned at midnight by
the maid, and the gas was left burning,
and 1t was turned off by Lady GLADSTONE
herself when retiring. 1t may be safely
assumed, therefore, that the match was
placed there after o'clock. Further, I
lind that the match is of 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's
room
Thirdly, probably you observed the
particular attention paid to that old
fashioned wardrobe. 1t struck me that
standing as 1t does SO near the door,
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 l found
several pieces Of wool which, on eYamina.
ton through the microscope, found to
correspond exactly In color and texture
to the dress worn by mademoiscle on the
night in question.
"Fourthly, it is 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.
noiselle's height.
"Flfthly, from information received, I
called at the postolfice this morning and
find that on the day after the robbery
dispatched box per parcel
post addressed to M. Jules Valerie in
Paris. l have wired the postal officials
in Paris to detain this box, and | think
1t will be found to contain the missing
pearls"
We were still sitting In silence when
there came gentle knock to the door,
md Lady Gladstone entered. In her hand
she held beautiful pearl necklace!
"The pearls!" exclaimed Sir Claude,
from his chair in amazement.
Wherever did you get them?'
"Oh, Claude, have made most ride
llous mistake! l feel so ashamed Of my
self to have caused all this fuss. The
fact is, l found my necklace fastened to
the dress l wore at the ball | must have
forgotten to unfastcn it, and in the morn.
ing l was so certain l had left it on the
liable that l never thought of looking at
he dress. opened the wardrobe few
minutes ago, and you can imagine my joy
At finding the pearls safe"
With an effort Mortimer recovered his
Under the circumstances I presume
Vou will not wish to pursue the case
against Mile. Valerie any further" he in.
luired, turning to Sir Claude although,
Is l have shown YOU, it is a good case
| very good case"
As we walked down toward the station
Mortimer kicked the stones that lay in
lis path in moody manner.
"At any rate, YOU have found that a de.
ective's life is not entirely bed of
oses," he muttered rehcctively. at was
! beautiful case too. II that meddlesome
woman hadn't interfered I believe I
ould have secured the conviction on the
But 1t is all my own fault. As