The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-12-31

he was never aroused from his slum.
bers on Sunday morning. he surmised
that something was wrong. In re-
sponse to his inquiring glance the maid
stated that between 3 and 4 o'clock
she had heard footsteps descending the
attic staircase. that she had remained
awake and listened attentively, but
heard nothing more. and that she had
only Mt that moment dared to venture
out Of her room.
Selby's first thought was of the safe.
Rushing into the library. he hastily
opened is two doors. Again 1t was
empty!
Next he climbed to the attic stairs.
He found no trace Of the thief up there.
TIE windows We're not only all nailed
shut, but none Of the dust-covered cob
webs which sealed them had been dis.
turbed. The scuttle to the roof like
wise was fastened OIL the inside. A
search through the rest Of the house re.
vealed nobody In hiding. nor was there
any visible means Of exit. all the doors
and windows being locked from within.
The servant who had awakened Sell
by was put through a rigid examina-
ton by the police. who were OF the
opinion that she was implicated In the
theft and had concocted her story to
divert suspicion from herself; but she
was either an expert twister Of the
truth or innocent. for the ferrets OF
crime. with all their skillful question
ing and cross-questioning. could hnd
no flaws in her testimony.
Saturday came round again. and the
detective In charge Of the case had
made no progress. Although 1t was
not probable that q third robbery
would be committed. still he was going
to try the only method remaining to
solve the mystery-namely. conceal
himself In the library that night. Sell
by alone was apprised of his intention
and admitted him to the house alter
the servants had retired. When they
had both made sure that the contents
of the safe were thus far intact. Seiby
locked the iron doors and went to his
room.
But he was Ill ut ease. His nerves.
unstrung by the worry Of the past two
weeks, excited his imagination to the
widest varagies. He became distrust'
full even of the detective. What II he
should be an accomplice! The corrup-
ton of the police force was notorious.
Might not this man be one Of the most
corrupt? Reason dispelled these fears
In part, but 1t was several hours be-
fore sleep visited him.
Suddenly he was roughly brought
back to consciousness by shake from
a powerful arm. He struggled iran
tically to free himself.
Calm Yourself" said a voice. which
he instantly recognized as that OF the
detective. whats the matter? Ev-
erything's all right"
Everything all right! How happened
II then that the detective was In his
room. and how had an entrance been
effected. for he was sure he had locked
the uOOE USlOEc tcthiAS. A1S" S> -~
thoughts abruptly changed their direc-
ton. His wandering eyes had grad
ually regained the power Of seeing con.
crete things, and he all at once realized
that he was not In his room. But
where was he? Before him stood the
detective holding a Pickering candle.
Are you awake now, sir?' asked
the latter.
YES" answered Selby.
Look down at your feet, then"
Selby did as hidden. A loose board
had been removed from the flooring,
and in the hole thus uncovered were
three wads of greenbacks. Memories
of childhood came back to him. How
often when q small boy had he hidden
his youthful valuables beneath that
very board, but he had long since for
gotten its existence. In an instants ne
comprehended the situation. 1t was an
odd case Of somnambulism. His ever
ysgilant distrust had stolen march on
his sleeping consciousness.-New York
News.