Year: 1878

other woman's. But who was she? j
came close, and got behind large group
of thick shrubs. 1 could now see and
hear them quite well; they were sta ID.
ing in tn, light; was in deep shade.


Just then the woman turned her head
toward me. 1t was Martha.


| What did she want there at that hour?
I-and who was that man? l was puz
zled. Where had | seen that face be-
fore?-for that 1 had seen it before /
was certain; but where and when l
could not remember. He was speaking
in low voice, and / did not hear very
distinctly what he said, but the last few
words were:


@And why not tonight? Delays are
always dangerous, especially now as they
are beginning to suspect me-"


Because Mrs Benson's daughter in
law is here, and she is sleeping in the
room over the plate closet, and would
be sure to hear the least noise. Wait
until tomorrow night-she will be gone
then. But indeed, John, l don't like
this business at all. I think we'd better
give it up. No luck will come of it, /
am sure"


"Look here, Martha" said the man,
"I have chance of getting safe off now.
| have it all settled, if you will only help
me to get this old woman's plate With
that and few little trinkets happened
to pick up few years ago, you and l
may set up business in America. The
old fellows will help me. Meet me here
to morrow night, to let me know that
all is safe for us. See here. l have
brought you valuable present. Keep
it until the plate is secure with me, for
you must stay here until all blows over;
then make some excuse for leaving, and
come over and join me in New York.
If you want money, sell these diamonds
in Liverpool-they are worth no end of
money"


/ could see quite we'll that he took
something out of his pocket and gave it
to her. She held it up to look at it; and
there, glistening in the moonlight, /
saw-my god mothers diamond ear
ring the one that had been stolen over
nine years ago with the other Jewels
from her room.


Here then at last was the mystery
solved, everything made clear, and all
through my dreaml Presently the light
fell on the mans face again, and in
stantly recognized my godmothers
very respectable gardner. A decent
man he was believed to be, but thief
all the time, and one who hid his evil
deeds under cloak of religion. And
who was this woman he seemed to have
got such power over? Evidently his
wife; for 1 gathered that from his con-
versation with her. l waited where
was until they were both gone-Martha
back to the house, and her husband to
the village; then as quietly as 1 could
l returned to the house and reached my
room. Falling on my knees L gave
thanks to God for making me the means
of finding out such wicked plot, and
perhaps saving the lives of more than
one under that roof; for it is more than
likely that, had those desperate men
been disturbed in their midnight plum
der, they would not have hesitated al
any deed which would have enabled
them to carry out their wicked plans.
| 1 slept little that might, and the mex
morning tried to appear calm and com
posed, though 1 was frightened and
really i'll. was longing for my husbund
to come, that 1 might tell him all, and
consult what was best to be done, tC
prevent bloodshed. At last, to my great
relief, I saw him coming. I ran to the
gate to meet him, and told him what
had seen and heard the night before.


Now" l said, "will you ever laugh a
nv fancies again?"


No my dear little wife, said he, a
never will"


We then arranged that we should tel
his mother and sister everything, and hi


was to go the nearest police station ant
arrange with the chief officer to have :
number of men ready in the wood, neal
the house, at 12 o'clock that night; tha
after dinner We were to say good by
to Mrs Benson and drive home, bu
would return and join the police in th'
wood, and wait there until we saV
Martha leave the house to meet he
husband. We were then to go in ant
wait until the thieves came in, wheI
they were to be surrounded and takel
prisoners. My husband wanted me t.


remain at our own house, but woull
not do 30, as / said would be imagining
al sorts of dreadful things; besides


knew his mother and Mary would lik


to have me with them.


1t all turned out as well as could be
The night was very fine, and just at 1:
o'clock Martha stole Gown to the plac
where had seen her the night before
, then we all, about dozen policemen
: and ourselves, went into the house. Th
} men were stationed out of sight in dil
ferent rooms, waiting for the robber'
entrance. Henry came up to Mrs Ben
sons room, where all of us women were
: including the two servants.


With breathless anxiety We watche'
and waited. From where l stood
!, could see the way they would come.


1t was about o'clock when l say
Martha coming up the walk and fou
y men with her.


Look" said; "there they are"
They went round to the back doc
and we heard them stealing Slong tn
massage in the direction of The plat
closet. Then a sudden rush-a screar
from the wretched Martha-imprecs


tons loud and bitter-a shot anothe
, scream,


HMay God grant no lives will be lost
we prayed.


Poor Mary nearly tainted. AT last "
heard the officer call Henry to com
down. The four men we're well secure
: and taken to the police station Marth
4 was taken there too. She confessed sh
l had let them IN for the purpose of steal
y ling the silver. One of the robbers wa
J, slightly wounded in the arm, but no on
l else was hurt. Very thankful was
when l found next day that none wer
the worse for having gone through sue