The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-10-23
CHAPTER TX.

CHAPTER TX.
Cursing his own ill-luck and the
deftness and feetness of foot of his
antagonist, the detective hurried down
the stairs and dashed out by the back
door Just as he heard the voice of
George Claris from above calling out
to know what was the matter.
Now, there was by this time enough
daylight for the detective to fatter
himself that the chase would be q
short one when once he got out of
doors. He was surprised to find,
therefore, that the mysterious Great
ure he was pursuing had vanished al.
together, leaving no trace. Dashing
out among the cabbage-stumps he had
a wide view over the fields and across
the little river. But there was not q
sound, not the flutter Of a skirt, to
help him in his search. He went care
fully around the house, in the first
place, trying the doors Of the out
houses and peering about for hooks
and corners in which the thief might
lie hidden. AS for the house itself,
the lower windows were secured by
shutters and bore no sign of having
been tampered with. while the front
door was securely fastened from the
inside. He then made his way to the
group Of cottages which stood near,
and questioned a laborer, who was
just leaving one of them to 60 to his
work, as to whether he had seen any
person within the last few minutes.
The man answered in the negative.
Returning to the back of the inn
the detective was struck by the cir
cumstance that punt which had been
moored at the inn side Of the river
before he made his tour of the house,
was now fastened to post by the op-
posite bank. He had just noted this
circumstance when the innkeeper
came out. He looked very surly, and
he went up to the sham commercial
traveller in threatening manner.
$50 it's you that's been turnin' the
place upside down, is it? An all for
what? That's what I'd like to know?
All for what?"
you'll know all in good time," said
the detective, dryly. II want to see
the women folk in your house, if you
please, ladies and all. I dare say you
know what I've come about. I don't
want to be of any more trouble than I
can help, but I've got to clear this
business up"
"Well, you may ferret it out your
own way, then" said Claris, sullenly.
I'm not going to have nobody dis
turbed by YOU"
well" returned the other, in a con-
ciliatory tone, 81 don't want to put
the ladies to any Inconvenience, I'm
sure. But if they'll answer a few
question they'll help me, and you, too.
For I'm sure. sir. it's by no wish of
yours that these tales have got about,
and that you'll be very glad to hear
the last of them"
That's as it may be-" said George.
"But I'll not stand any inquisitor's
work to set them all in Mysteries. And
anyhow, by this time they're all out
an about. end if you want to talk to
them, you may find 'em."
The detective took Claris's insolence
very quietly. Remembering the incl
dent Of the fusee, he was able to
chuckle to himself with the thought
that he held the clue of which George
Claris knew nothing.
"There'll be a burn on her hand"
he thought to himself, "for many
day"
Returning to the house by the door
through which he had left, he noticed,
now in the broader daylight, that
there was large cupboard immedi.
ately opposite, under the stairs. Open
ing the door of this cupboard, which
he found unfastened, he saw that the
contents were In some disorder, and
he waited about until Meg, the serv-
ant. came to 1t to fetch her brooms.
The woman started with q gruff e1-
clamation at his appearance
There's nothing for you to be fright.
ened about" said he, quietly. II only
want you to tell me whether that is
exactly the state in which you left
the cupboard when you went to it
last"
1t had needed only very few mo-
ments for him to decide that this was
not the woman of whom he was in
search. Stout, broad. clumsy of move
ment and heavy Of tread. the robust
figure before him had certainly none
Of the nimbleness of the thief Of whom
he was in search. He had had expe-
r:cnce enough to know now to assume
an entirely reassuring manner with
persons of her stamp, and it took her
only 4 few minutes to recover her self
possession and to answer him intelli-
gently.
why, no it amt" she said, with ro-
bust surprise and vehemence. THE
things as been knocked down an
trampled on. an all my cloths mixed
up. Why do you think. sir" she went