The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1915-06-18

case of suspicion against them so far.
But as it was just possible when the
police came to investigate the matter
that discoveries affecting the jugglers
might be made, he would contrive by
committing them as rogues ond vaga-
bonds to keep them at our disposal
under lock and key for a week. They
had ignorantly done something, l for
got what. in the town which barely
brought them within the operation Of
the law. Every human institution, Jus
tice included, will stretch a little if
you only pull it the right way. The
worthy magistrate was an old friend
of my lady's, and the Indian lot were
"committed" for q week as soon as
the court opened that morning.
Ter minutes later, to. our infinite re-
lief, Superintendent Seegrave arrived
at h house. He reported passing Mr..
franklin on the terrace sitting in the
sun and warning the police as they
went by that the investigation was
hopeless before the investigation had
begun.
For a family in our situation the SUI
perintendent of the %Frizinghall police
was the most comforting officer you
could wish to see. Mr.. Seegrave was
tall and portly and military in his man.
ners. He had a fine commanding voice
and a mighty resolute eye and a grand
frock coat which buttoned beautifully
up to his leather stock. "I'm the man
you want was written all over his
face. and he ordered his two inferior
policemen about with a severity which
convinced us all that there was no tri-
fling with him.
He began by going round the prem
ises, outside and in. the result Of that
investigation proving to him that no
thieves had broken in upon us from
outside and that the robbery conse.
quently nus have been committed by
some person in the house. The super
intendent decided to begin by examin-
ing the boudoir and. that done, to ex-
anime the servants next. At the same
time he posted one Of his men on the
staircase which led to the servants
bedrooms. with instructions to let no.
body in the house pass him till further
orders.
At this latter proceeding the weaker
half of the human family went dis
tracted on the spot. They bounced out
of their corners whisked upstairs in a
body to Miss Kachel's room, Rosanna
Spearman being carried away among
them this time; burst in on Superin-
tendent Seegrave and, all looking
equally guilty. summoned him to say
which of them he suspected at once.
Mr.. Superintendent proved equal to
the occasion. He looked at them With
his resolute eye, and he cowed them
with his military voice. "Now, then,
you women, go downstairs again. every
one Of you. I won't have you here.
Look" says Mr.. Superintendent, sud
denly pointing to a little smear Of the
decorative painting on Miss Rachel's
door. at the outer edge, just under the
lock. Look what mischief the petit
coats of some Of you have done al
ready. Clear out, clear OUT" Rosanna
%Spearman. who was nearest to him
and nearest to the little smear on the
door, set the example of obedience and
slipped off instantly to her work. The
rest followed her out. The superin-
tendent finished his examination of
the room and, making nothing Of it,
asked me who had first discovered the
robbery. My daughter had first dis
covered it. My daughter was sent
for.
Mr.. Superintendent proved to be a
little too sharp with Penelope at start
ing. "Now. young woman, attend to
me and mind you speak the TRUTH
Penelope fred up instantly. 1--WE new
er been taught to tell lies, Mr.. Police
man, and If father can stand there and
hear ME accused OF falsehood and
thieving and my own bedroom shut
against me and my character taken
away, which is all a poor girl has left,
he's not the good father l take him
for A timely word from me put JUS
tice and Penelope on n pleasanter foot
ing together. The questions and an
swers went swimmingly and ended in
nothing worth mentioning.
Mr.. Superintendent next asked to see
Miss Rachel herself. Penelope men
tlOllcU HIS 1c4ucSt IAlOuSu lAC uOOl.
The answer reached us by the same
road, II have nothing to tell the police
men. l can't see anybody" Our ex-
perienced officer looked equally sur
prised and offended when he heard
that reply. l told him my young lady
was i'll and begged him to wait a little
and see her later. We thereupon went
downstairs again, and were met by
Mr.. Godfrey and Mr.. Franklin crossing
the hall.
The two gentlemen. being inmates of
the house, We're summoned to say if
they could throw any light on the mat
ter. Neither of them knew anything
abOut it.
Mr.. Superintendent next proceed
ing took him back to the 'boudoir'
again. with my daughter and me at