The daily Alaskan., 1905-06-15
4 Born
 Defecff1)e


 able diamond from & safe he kept in his house, the combination being known to no one but himself, not even to member of his family, The safe was an old one, with letter combina- ton. He was about to tell me the word the letters spoiled when I stopped him. wanted 10 see f l could pick the lock myself
 "I went with him to his house new one and fitted with a number of mod ern contrivanccS Only the safe was old fashioned. failed to pici the lock. While t was old, 1t was very good one. | tod Mir, Towncr that some one except hiUSclf must have known the combination. but he told me that he had got it from bls father on his deathbcd, and his Gather as sureG him that he alone knew jt The son had never revealed it
 "I was absolutely without a clcw. The only thing I could do was Co take up my quarters in the house and look oat for pointer was introduced by Mir. Towuer as an old friend from Australia and treated as guest No one had seen me working on the locf of course. as this would have been tS. tai 10 my investigation.
 "Nr. Towncr was widowor with scN. eral children. the younger being under the care of a governcSS. soon became suspicious Of this young woman, for 10 other reason than that found she was suspicious of me l often caught her looking at me critically, and as much as to say; You're no friend of MT. Towner. You're a detective At any rate these are the woris supplied from her expression.
 "The safe stood in a closet on one side of hall, and my sleeping rcom was directly opposite, I could look at the safe from my bed. am a very light sleeper; besides I Scmaincd awake scv- eral nights til carly morning. Ky my bed kept long dreSsinE gown and a pair of felt slippers to sip 0n in case Of need. I did not keep a light in my room nor in the hall, as this would have defeated my purpose.
 "One night I was awakened hy hear, ing footStcp overhead some one is astir' I said. I must be ready However, l remained in bed for half an hour, then, since no one came Co tamper with the safe, got up, put on my gown and slippers and gropcd softly around the house. It was very dark, but had taken note of the rooms, doorways, etc. So I got on very well. Suddenly | I heard the scratch Of a match, and d. rectly before me stood the EoverncSS,
 "T beg your pardon said. T came down for a biscuit. When | cant sleep, l usually put something into my stom ach to start digestion and draw tho blood from the brain
 "'Win you excuse me for saying that I don't believe your story| she replied
 she smiled as she spoke. She was a pretty girl and looked all the pretticr from a flannel robe she wore trimmed with lace and her hair in a thick braid hanging down her back. The match was burning out and l was about to step to an electric button to turn on the light when she stopped me.
 "T am Investigating something she said. that is going on in this house that has long puzzled me. IT you turn on the light, you may spoil my chance to discover 1t this very night
 ''She was certainly very clever. l had failed to catch her in some theft and she had the presence Of mind to avert suspicion by pretending to bc on the lookout herself. It was plain that the game was up for the time.
 "1 have no wish to interfere with your plans said. If youn give me a biscuit, I'll go to bed
 Lighting another match, she went s the sideboard, for we were in the din. ing room, took out a few biscuits and handed them to me.
 "'Please stay here awhile she said, I may want you to confirm a story
 "'Al right I said; but don't keep me waiting all night
 "As heard nothing further I con cluded she had gone out There would be no use in following her, as she was thoroughly forewarned, What a pity could not have discovered her with out her discovering me lay down on a lounge and munchcd a biscuit Suddenly felt hand on my arm.
 "Come' said a voice which l knew belonged to the governess.
 "She hurried me upstairs to the end of the hall on which was my sleeping room. A light had been turned on since I had gone down, and there be fore the safe knelt MT. Towner. He had just opened it and taken out some thlng-I could not see what it was and closed the safe door.
 "'The rascalr muttered.
 "'Not at all; he's asleep
 eve followed him and saw him un- lock the door of a small jewel vault SO concealed by a panel that no one in the house knew of it and place in it the