The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-01-12
SUN FRIDAY JANUARY l2. 1900.

ond's hesitation. Its the writing of
, Jameson, the man who has charge of
the magazine department of the Ii
brary."
Then / told him what / had learned
Il 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.
sI'm afraid that you don't half know
your business, Mr.. Detective" said he,
with smile.
I'm afraid not" said l.
"Take another look at that card, and
tell me If you discover nothing pc
culiar."
"Yes," said l, new light breaking in
upon me. ''rhe words 'Londoner, 1S4S,'
are in imitation of the rest of the hand
writing of the card, but are by anoth-
er hand"
s "Of course" responded the librarian.
Nov 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 in June on that card. The
reason for all this is clear. Our men
are forbidden to take books from the
hhelvns except upon the written order
OF visitors. But they can read the books
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 il 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.
II 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
it at once if 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 bot,ks?" said /, as IT nothing un-
pleasant had ever happened between
US. II have something to tell you when
we get outside
"Have you found the thief?" she an
swered, grayely.
II have" said |, barely able to con-
ceal the note of triumph in my voice.
When we reached the street | told
her all.
Il am glad for your sake she said.
"You have recovered your hundred dol
lars" She was still deeply offended
divinity.
ssThe 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 father-knows nothing of this
wretched 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
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."
''Very we'll" she said, simply, and the
shadow was lifted.
Shall l go on? Is it 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, if you knew her.
THE END.