DANGEROUS CURIOSITY. 339 act as mail messenger. Observation for a brief period discovered that he was very irregular in the performance of the duty, and a little maneuvering satisfied the detective that the poor creature was innocent. Thus, by logical necessity, the inquiry was narrowed down to the school itself, and the officer was forced to the conclusion that he must look for the thief in one of the inmates. While watching the movements of the messenger, he noticed that a particular young lady acted often as his substitute, taking not only her own mail, but that of the other pupils also. He further observed that she carefully scrutinized each letter, turning it over, and in some instances holding the envelope between her eye and the light. The frequency of her visits to the postoffice, supplemented by these evidences of a prying curiosity, led him to study her appearance and actions attentively. It occasionally happens that an officer foresees that, in the performance of a painful duty which, if possible, he would thrust away as a bitter cup, he must encounter woman, not to render homage, but to bring home the terrors of a broken law. Under any circumstances the ordeal is severe, and in the higher walks of life it is terrible. In view of the approaching trial, however, the looks, motions, tones, and general demeanor of the suspected criminal become invested with a dreadful fascination. About eighteen years old, rather above the medium height, and a brilliant brunette of the tropical type, she dressed rather richly for a school-girl, though always in good taste, and showed in the correctness of her language and the modulations of her voice the effects of careful training from childhood. But her eyes were at once a revelation and a mystery. Partially screened by long, thick lashes, those orbs of liquid light seemed to emit heat and cold, fire and frost in alternating flashes. They could allure a young companion with the fascination of a serpent, or freeze, if so disposed, with the chill of an iceberg. Held within the limits of propriety by the force of patient discipline, she appeared to be a reservoir of untamed power that surged back and forth, impatient of barriers — a germ of vast possibilities for good or evil. One would expect to meet such types of beauty in the Indies, but not under the cold glimmer of the northern star. Having discovered this much, the officer decided to call upon the principal of the seminary, to make some necessary inquiries, and to learn what degree of co-operation he might expect. He was received very courteously by Miss De Lacy, and without intimating the character of his suspicions, he managed to turn the conversation upon the scholars generally, and upon Miss Edna Norman in particular. It appeared she was the only child of wealthy and highly connected parents, in one of the most important of our commercial towns, and that no want of hers was suffered to go ungratified. In the way of dress and ornaments she was the recipient of presents much in advance of her years and position as a school-girl. "Why," remarked Miss De Lacy, whose studies were of a philosophical turn, "if Miss Edna should express a wish to bathe in liquid moonshine, her friends would cheerfully bear all the expenses of distillation. They are most excellent people, and mean to be prudent in indulging their daughter, but find it exceedingly difficult to keep within bounds the promptings of generosity." According to the teacher, the character of the young lady was irreproachable in every respect, while her talents and accomplishments placed her in the front rank of the school. She was not studious, but very quick, absorbing knowledge as a sponge drinks moisture. Her latent tendencies toward waywardness had obviously never attracted the attention of the principal, which was itself an evidence that she deserved, in a measure at least, the praise so freely bestowed upon her. Other pupils passed under similar though briefer review. By no word or look did the detective intimate a doubt of the correctness of Miss De Lacy's impressions. At the same time the losses were discussed, and the principal expressed great anxiety to have the offender discovered, as the depredations from extent and frequency could not fail to affect injuriously the reputation of the seminary. To this end, she agreed to assist privately by every means in her power. With the understanding that they were to co-operate, the detective took leave, promising to soon repeat the visit. It was arranged that the detective should furnish Miss De Lacy lists of every lot of letters sent to the seminary from the post-office, no matter who might act as messenger. She was to compare the lists with the letters actually delivered, and if any were missing, a correct inference in regard to the identity of the thief could easily be drawn. He was destined, however, to discover the truth by a much simpler and more expeditious method. He prepared a decoy well suited to appeal to curiosity and the love of adornment, -twin weaknesses of the female mind, as some unsympathetic men are wont to characterize them. By a mild stratagem he contrived to have the customary messenger detailed temporarily for other employment. The next day, while loitering in the lobby of the post-office. after the distribution of the heavy noon mail, he saw Miss Norman approaching alone. She received the mail for the seminary, including the missive prepared expressly for her benefit. In running the letters over, she paused on reaching this one, and inspected it very closely. Placing the package in her pocket, she left, and sauntered homeward, followed at a respectful distance, on the opposite side of the street, by a gentleman who was particularly interested to see what treatment his venture sustained at her hands. On reaching a portion of the way partially screened by shrubbery, she dexterously drew forth the letter, and tore off the end. Then, as if in alarm, she thrust it back, and, quickening her steps, soon disappeared. The gentleman, who had observed these movements with so much curiosity, followed leisurely behind, and not long after rang the bell at the door of the seminary. He called for Miss De Lacy, and in a few minutes that gentle and thoroughly estimable lady presented herself with an apology, hardly required under the circumstances, for her delay. The incidents already described were briefly narrated. The prin cipal could only ejaculate, "Can it be possible, can it be possible?" The fall of a favorite pupil seemed to paralyze her faculties, while the injury likely to result to the reputation of the school was doubtless greatly magnified in the mental turmoil incident to the discovery. At this juncture the dinner-bell rang, and feet were heard trooping gayly through the halls. "Cannot there be some mistake about the identity of the young lady?" inquired Miss De Lacy, catching at straws in the extremity of her pain. "I am afraid not," replied the officer, and he proceeded to describe her dress. "It must be, it must be," ejaculated the principal, sorrowfully. "She wore such a dress this morning, and has just changed it for dinner." "If that is the case, madam, I must request you to conduct me to the room of Miss Norman, where you will probably find such evidences of guilt as will fully verify my suspicions." At first she demurred feebly, but soon yielding a half involuntary compliance, she led the way up stairs to a neatly furnished apartment, which she said was allotted to the exclu "Taking it down, and thrusting his hand into the pocket, he drew sive use of the suspected pupil. Pictures adorned the walls, and in one corner stood a wardrobe. "Will you be kind enough, madam," said the officer, pointing to the wardrobe, "to produce the dress which Miss Norman wore this morning." |