The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-01-05
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E3S0 IA. By Philip G. Hubert. Jr. OF
Copyright. 1898 2SAls
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By Philip G. Hubert. Jr.
NM2 Copyright. 1898 {
~ byJ. P. Lippincott Co.


II.
For few moments I sat daZed at
my discovery. That, however, was no
state of mind for detective, especially
for detective who had detected some
thing. What was l to do? Denounce
this young girl as possible thief to the
library authorities? Such a course
would put an end to her chances for
copying any more English stories for
| American newspapers; but it would
mean disgrace, and in ali probability it
would not result in recovering the $500
that the Gazette had lost. Moreover,
the more thought of the girl and her
| pleasant ways, the less liked the idea
of accusing her of .wrongdoing. pom
dered the problem for good hour.
Danders' note was in my pocket. 1t
was some encouragement to find that
| the handwriting was not a bit like the
| fine feminine scrawl of Miss Ellen Rob-
ertson. 1t was perfectly possible that
this copy of the Londoner might have
been taken out by another person, Dan
ders, for instance, as well as by Miss
Robertson. With this theory in view
/ went manfully to work at my cards
again, and so thoroughly convinced
myself that such must be the case that
when my friend, the librarian, passed
my desk at closing time, and asked me
whether l had found my man, was
weak enough to say, No. According
to the strict terms of the inquiry,
had not found my man; it was wom-
an. l came across several more cards
bearing Miss Robertson's signature
and request for the Londoner of 1S4S;
evidently she had used the volume al
most every day for week. That even
ing kept away from the Gazette Of
flee in order to avoid the questions |
should have met there, for had re-
ported that was examining the cards
| in the Manhattan library. Thus doet
conscience make towards even of sue
cessful detectives.
The next day put in eight hours OF
work at my bundles of cards, going
back half a year. Apparently no one else
had touched that number of the Lon
doner or any other number of that
magazine. / reviewed the evidence as
| detectives are won't to do in books.
Here was ii young woman engaged from
morning ttll night in copying from the
| Londoner of June, 1S48. Daisy S
| Quest" had been stolen from this book,
and according to Terrill, an expert, it
was unlikely that there was another
copy outside of that library to be found
in the country. No other person had
taken the book out.
Nevertheless, before any accusation
could be made, it would certainly be
necessary to connect Miss Robertson
with Danders. That might not be
easy. Puzzled and sick at heart, was
| leaving the library at four o'clock,
| when at the door / found Miss Robert
son gazing out into the rain with dis
may. 1 had purposely avoided her dur
| ing the day, contenting myself with
making sure that she was at work as
usual. It was impossible to avoid her
now, for 1 had an umbrella and she
| had none. Perhaps, after all, de-
tective ought not to neglect this op-
! portunity to know more of Miss Rob-
ertson. So offered to take her to the
car. Her manner was a trifie stiff;
| perhaps she had noted and resented my
studied avoidance.
"Let me see-you will have to take a
Sixth avenue car" said this particular
detective, in his stupid way.
"Why, yes; but how did you know
that?" said Miss Robertson, her GU
riosity getting the best of her displeas-
ure, if there had been any displeasure.
Perhaps it was only my conceit that
gave birth to this latter fancy.
l have always been considered a
fairly ready liar, but for few seconds
/ stumbled. l could not tell her that
1 had her address carefully copied into
my note book. / suppose it was news
paper instinct that prompted me to
| say:,
II happened to see you take Sixth
. avenue car last night as ! was going
home"
"That's very strange" said the girl,
looking up at me with twinkle that
even the shadow of the umbrella could
not eclipse, 'for>I walked all the way
| nome last night.
l was enough of a liar to see my way
clear now.
Really! Then it must have been
some one very much Like you, and some
| one who came from the library. Then
perhaps you do not take the Sixth
avenue car after ALP"
"Yes, do. live in Thirtieth street.
But before take my car have to stop
on Sixth avenue at a bookstore where
| ordered some wFiting-paper for my
father last night. The rain has stopped.
SO that / needn't trouble you to 60 out
of your way any farther"
at is not out of my way. Besides. 1t
might rain again"
So we went on towards Sixth avenue
and then turned uptown. In less time
than can write it, and by what magic
| hardly know, had wholly forgotten
that Miss Robertson was probably a
criminal of mild type and l the
sleuth-hound on her track, the avenger.
She had very pretty ways-for Grim
inal. And she talked more to my lik-
ing than any other girl had met in
years, or before that.
There's the sort of rain costume you
ought to have" l said, pointing to q
draped wax figure in the brilliantly
lighted show-window of great shop
q woman in long macintosh, holding