The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1904-06-04

certain high ofiicial OF the state
had repeatedly missed money from his
study, and the theft, If theft 1t were,
was always committed on Sunday,
The gentleman, who was very well
known at Scotland Yard by reason of
his position, applied for the assistance
Of an officer In calculating the mys-
terry, and ! was appointed to help him.
We talked the matter over at Scot
land Yard and agreed that II looked
uncommonly like case Of dishonesty
Oh the part OF some member of the
household who had means OF obtaining
access to the study OF the master Of
the house on Sunday afternoons.
Obviously the best course to pursue
would be to set watch upon the room
I'm the absence of its owner. But how
was this to be donei Ii any stranger
were known to be In the house the
thief. whoever he might be. would be
on his guard and would not allow him
self to be detected.
AT last we decided that on the Sun
day afternoon following | should walk
outside the house In --- square ana
that the occupier should take his
chance of opening the door to me him
self and thus let me into the place un-
perceived.
Accordingly on the Sunday afternoon
went 10 ---- square, and had not
been walking long when the door of
No. was opened cautiously and |
sped up the steps.
The house was OF the kind which IL
common 10 many parts of the arlsto-
cratic quarters of London. having an
area aud a basement. 80 that the serv-
ants had very little chance OF noting
the arrival OF callers unless daily sum
moncd by the bell.
| was led into the study on the first
floor, and apparently no one In the
house was aware Of my presence.
Leading of the room was little
lavatory, and into this lobby ! went
| shut the door and found that by
kneeling on the floor could look
through the kcyhole and in this way
command view OF the desk which
stood by the window In the study.
This was sufficient for my purpose.
and the owner OF the house went out
Of the room,
Presently heard him call to his
daughter, and some one cried aloud,
I'VE are all going to church,
This was the signal that the family
had quilted the house and left me
fair field
Nothing happened whatever Tor some
time, aud my kuees became dreudfully
stiff
Presently caught the sound OF eau.
tious footsteps on the stairs outside the
landing which led 10 the study.
In moment or two the footman en-
tered His face was ashcn gray. his
eyes set, his hand trembling. Guilt
wns written upon every lineament.
He glanced norvOusly round the room
and into every corner. but, strangely
enough. never thought of trying the
door of the lavltory wherein | was
desk with duplicate key, TO his
hand he found some marked money.
which he appropriated and put into his
pocket, but hc had not rellnuuished his
grasp of the coins when his face flush
ed, his eye went round the room, lac
he withdrew the pieces from his pocket
and restored them to the desk Then
he hurripdiy relocked II and withdrew
from the room hastily, avertlng his
face from the desk and setting his
teeth
conscience, my man" | thought
conscience has been too much for
you"
Hut what was to dc2
There was no help for II. | must
wait for the prcarranged time for my
release still looked through the key
hole and kept ms quiet NJ n mouse,
when In about ten minutes ! heard an
other sound of footsteps
The footman had returned
He went through precisely the same
performance as before, and, having
opened the desk md taken the money.
he closed the lid sharply, as II he had
made II bargain with himself not To nj.
low his conscience TO fool him second
time
AZ he was slipping the stolen money
into his pocket opened the door of the
lavatory ana went behind the footmnn.
John" | said. IL want that money
you have In your right hand walstcoat
pocket"
The man turned, saw me. shricked
and fell in a TT
Al the noise the servants rushed up
from below stairs There they saw the
footmnn scnselcss on the door and
stranger bending over him
Who was the thief. the footman or
the stranger Most likely the latter
SO they seized him
Fortunately the master OF the house
soon aftcrward returned. and few
explanations set matters to rights
took the first opportunity OF asking
the footmsn something which had puz-
z!ci me
John" inquired, II saw you come
into the room the first time. take the
money and then put Il back again.
why did you do thati"
Mr.. LHu~downe." he answered, you
are quite right did do SO put the
money back because felt that some
body was looL Ing at me"
III. Beast Was In.
A patrician whose puiustAking and
patient valet. Peter. invariably sits M
FOR him or nights came home from his