Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-09-23


the great detective, Bob jennings.
He looked slight and simple enough,
though l knew later that he was
about 3s years of age at this time.
won't you come in with us, So
phronia?" asked Miss Elizabeth.
eff You really need me-" 1 said,
"but l have so much to occupy
1--WE do not need Mrs. Brathwaite,"
said DR.. Williams, kindly.
Very well, then, Sophronia. Good
by, my dear. Come up when you can.
We shall see you tomorrow, shall we
not?"
ooh, yes" 1 cried.
"Take Mrs. Brathwaite back to the
village, john" said Miss Elizabeth to
the old coachman, whom she had
known since her childhood, 'and when
she has finished her errands drive
her home"
1 found the locksmith at home. I
did not like to ask him to drive up
in the Hall carriage, but he started
on his wheel as l left his shop, and
after l had got my stamps I saw
that he was ahead of us, and so he
kept all the way home. When I ar
rived at my gate he was standing on
the porch looking over his keys and
the little crooked pieces of iron with
which he was accustomed to pick
locks. took him at once to nv
room and showed him the desk.
Somebody's ben tamperin' with
this key" he said.
II should think So" replied I. 81
have worked at it until my fingers
are bare"
1t was but few moments before
he had the broken key out of the
lock, another one fitted, and the desk
open. l paid him the trifle that he
asked, and he went out and 1 closed
the door.
Then l opened the little drawer. 1t
was quite empty! Could 1 have
made mistake? / opened all the
drawers, rapidly, in succession. There
was nothing there in the shape of
money except the few remaining bits
of change that had been left after
had paid the locksmith. sat down
to think, and my suspicious could
fall upon but one person. Then
arose wearily. 1 went to Aunt Jane
Mary's room to answer her repeated
calls.
What's the matter?" she asked,
as staggered in at the door. 'How
white you look"
81 am tired" said 1. 'What can 1
do for you?"
Just rub that right leg, will your
l declare, 1 get less attention than
anyone in the county. Where have
you been?"
l began to rub Aunt Jane Mary's
leg and to talk while l rubbed
answer questions rather.
II have been to the locksmith's"
said 1.
did he Gomez"
Eyes"
did he open the desk?"
"Yes," said I.
well, well, was everything all
right? How you do have to be polsed
and prodded, Sophronia. One would
think was dentist drawing teeth!
l never had such time with any
One-o
made no reply; could not.
care you going to answer me?"
"Oh, yes" said /, ''if you want to
be made as miserable as I am. The
moneys gone!"
THE money! What money!"
"The money Miss Dacres gave me
to keep for her.
"Who is Miss Dacres?"
''The new boarder." ] had forgot
ten that l had not told Aunt Jane
Mary her name.
Il don't believe you ever put it
there"
Eyes, I did. 1 know l did. am
worried to DEATH" ] stopped rub
bing Aunt Jane Mary's leg and burst
out crying. "Hcw shall l ever repay
her?"
II wouldn't worry about it," said
Aunt Jane Mary, "it's in the house
somewhere"
III am afraid it isn't" said I.
That's what comes of taking in peo-
pie without any recommendation"
Whom do you mcan?"
Miss Dacres,"
We'll, You are stupid! What should
the woman want to steal her own
money for?"
II forgot that" said 1. ooh, dear!
What shall do?'
Have you suspected anyone else?"
asked Aunt Jane Mary, with what I
thought SLY look at me.
II don't see how anyone could get
into 1.-THE desk, l mean. The key
was broken off in the lock"
No! that puts new face on it,
said Aunt Jane Mary, sitting up in
bed. ''What other strangers have
been about the house?"
'Well, the lower-back didn't come
until after the lock was broken, and,
besides, he has splendid references,
and there's no one else" Just here
someone came hurriedly up the back
stairs.
"Kin git tibet stew-pan, Miss Jane
Mary?" said Glorianna.
sob, yes, there is" said I, 81 for
got" and Aunt Jane Mary and I
looked at each other in silence.
1 went about my work sad and 81
lent. When my lower-front came in
for her late dinner-everything was
belated that day-she asked me if I
had got the desk open.