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

NAhO ttoNlhS lht NAAt> ar"tH0e AhS
house"
1T sounded like breaking glass. l
wish you'd 60 down, John"
''Oh. pshaw,"
1T may be burglars"
"Weil. let them help thFnseives; I'm
too sleepy to raise objections"
Mrs. Arnold listened intently for
moment. then. believing herself 10 have
been mistaken. she, too. dropped
asleep.
"Early the next morning the worthy
couple were awakened by vigorous
pounding on their door.
"Mr Arnold" called the servant.
"Mr. Arnold, CONS down. quick, Some
thing dreadful has happened"
Mrs. Arnold was on her feet in a
moment. What is it2" she called
through the door.
Robbery and everything in the Ii.
brary turned upside down"
II was a strange sight that met the
eyes of the family as they entered the
little library, which was usually so
tidy Chairs were overturned. books
and papers scattered about in wild con
fusion. and large plate glass window
was smashed into fragments. Mr. Ar
nold's desk was opened. the contents
of the various drawers were scattered
about the floor. and The box containing
his private papers was missing.
II 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"
Il would have risked great deal
replied Mr.. Arnold. rather than have
lost the papers which that box con
tanned"
"Your deeds and insurance papers
were they not?' asked his wife. "'ChC
deeds are properly registered. and the
insurance papers can be readily du
plcated. There is no great loss"
~But that was not all" interrupted
Mr.. Arnold. Il had sent $4,000 TO VII
Nams. in New York. TO invest in govern
ment bonds. and last night while yo'
and Ruth were out calling. / received
package from him containing IN
bonds. I placed them in that box 70
safekeeping. / don't see why l coul'
not have thought OF them, last night
when YOU awakened me-"
Father" said Ruth-the only on
in the family who had retained he
presence OF mind-''the police must b
notified at once. Leave everything JUS
as il Is. and III telephone TO the sta
ton
In short time the chief OF polie
and his lieutenant were carefully II
vestigating the scene OF the robbery.
You know no reason for the rol
bery?" questioned the officer. "eSeer
the value OF the papers taken2"
None, whatever" replied Mr.. A
mold.
THE robbers evidently took thei
time. II is strange none of You hear
them come through the window"
MY wife did hear"
"But they did not come through II
window" interrupted Ruth. THAT W;
used only for an exit after the robber
had been committed.
The officer looked in sstonishment
the pretty girl before him.
Miss Arnold" he said, smiling, I'll
detective field is before you! May
ask YOU your reasons for believing tn;
the persons who entered this roo
last night did not come in through ii
Window"
'.The window was broken from 4
inside, sir. The glass is on the pore
not in the ROOM"
The officer looked at the windo
gave a low whistle, and then smile
ux"You are right, Miss Arnold he sa
1 >hen, turning TO Mr.. Arnold, aske
"What about your servants?'
''We have only two. and they ha
been with us for years. l cam
think of their being connected wi
this crime"
but the person who committed
robbery was evidently let into
house by some one"
"Then why did not that some Q
also let them out?" asked Ruth
another good point" said the o
Ger.
They evidently did not enter by
doors or windows on the lower foo
said Ruth; 81 believe they came
through she slylight. 1t is not a {
fcult matter TO reach the roof by "
of the back porch and the eavespi
I've seen brother do il often when
was home"
"But why did not our burglar lie.
the houSe in the same way he