QUEER STORIES. PERSONAL TO MR GIMBLETT.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 88, 7 February 1885, Page 4

QUEER STORIES. PERSONAL TO MR GIMBLETT.

Mr Gimblett, the ex-detective, was seated one morning in his dingy little offieo over the furniture shop in the Waterloo- Bridge Rocid. when his clerk brought in word that " a young person '' wished to see him. " Who is she? 1 ' inquired Mr Gimblett. " She says she will tell you her name herself. She has never been here before," said the clerk " Bagging?" «ugge«ted Mr Gimblett. " I think riot. ->he doesn't look that sort, and her manner is overbearing," was the reply. 14 A young person, did you say?" re marked Mr Gimblett. " Yes. *>ir ; voting, and not bad looking neither," s»aid the clerk, who perhaps knew hi> chief's we ikness. " 1 s>ippo»e you had better show her in," remaiked Mr Gimblett, with an air of supreme indifference. Nevertheless, when his clerk's back was turned, he ran his tinge- s tnrough his h tir, settled his cravat, and deftly rearranged the flowers in his button mile. The "young person" did not belie the cWk's favourable description -at least, in Mr GimWlritt's humble opinion She was young, fall, had a good figure, and a pretty face But what chiefly impressed Mr Gimb lett was the keen and penetrating glance of her dark eye-* and the firmness of her mouth and chin. He instinctively guessed that ht hid befoie him a girl ot unusual shrewdness and energy of character, while her calm selfpossession testified to the strength of her nerves -*he was quietly yet becomingly dressed, and then 5 was no attempt to disguise her station in life, which was evidently that of a superior sort of domestic servant " Pray be seated," said Mr Gimblett, as she entered. ' You are Mr Gimblett, I suppose ? ' said the visitor, takinsr possession of a chair, and drawing it ud to the table "My name is Martha Ohale. My father used to be in the force with you." "Oh, yes; I recollect," said Mr Gimblett, slig htly disappointed at this prelude, though he scarce knew why "I knew your father very well. He was killed in that affiir over Balhara way. Very sad ! very sad ! " '■ I didn't come to talk about my father," continued Martha Chale, in a cool, matter-of-fact tone "He has been dead ten years and more. I only mentioned dim as a sort of introduction " •'I understand," said Mr Gimblett, surprised and amused, at his visitor's tone and manner. " 1 vr.uit to engage your services in a bu*ine«s w >y, and I'm quite ready to pay you,'' said Martha, producing an apparently well-filled purse, and placingit upon th table. "I'm not one of your extravagmt sort, but Tin not mean neither. I know how to save, but I don't grudge spending." " Rxcellenr !'' exclaimed Mr Gimblett, with involuntary admiration. " The fact is I'm being: watched by the police, and it's unpleasant," said Martha, abruptly " V iturally," acquiesced Mr Gimblett. I've 10-t my situation for notlvng. and now my footsteps are dogged night and day. I don't like it, and mother don't like it neither and, what is more, I ain't going to stand it." M ii-tha Ch lie spoke with considerable aßpe»itya B pe»ity and vigour and Mr Gimblett could not h o\p percemng that the young worn in was blessed wirh a temper of her own Ye*" tlu- ex de r eetive thought the fla-h of her e\e« and the quick ru-h of colour to her oheek* became her wondei fully, while he r»ther udmued, than otherwise, the decision of her tunes. '' Q nte right *' ne said benignly ; " what is it a-1 about ?" "Well it is this: I've been living as upper hou-emaid for the last, two years with Mr and Mr- M >r timer, of P-irk Crescent " " One moment — Mortimer Park Ores cent," s.ii ! Mr Gimblett, as he made a note ■pon hi- blotting-pad. " Then* h is been a robbery there lately ; co le of Mrs Mortimer's jewellery was stolen / n a «afe " " Burglars?'' inquired Mr Gimblett. I know nothing about it," said Martha «iale, shrugging her shoulders "The oa<e «as opened by =ome one with a key, and the things ab-tracted. Nobody knows when it was done, except that the things weie ail right, within a few days before the lo*s was discovered That is the whole story. I was sent away." "And none of the other servants ?" "No Oh ' I know why I was singled out. Mrs Mortimer is mortal jealous of her husband, and she must needs take it into her head " " Pretty young women are dangerous in a hou<e," interposed Mr Gimbletc, jocosely. But from the manner in which thin complimentary speech was received, the exdetective judged that he had better not have uttered it. Martha Chale paused and fixed her dark eyes upon him with an expression of contemptuous astonishment. For once in his life Mi Gimblett felt disconcerted, and became suddenly conscious of the fact that his hair was grey. "I boxed his ears once for trying to bar 'he passage on the staircase, I know t at," Ad Martha, impressively. " Missis hadn't j call to be jealous of me." Mr Gimblett did not trust himself to comment upon this remark, and his visitor proceeded " I suppose M.rs Mortimer set the police on to me. Any way, I'm watched night and day, and I've had enough of it." '■ I don't see what I can do for you," said Mr Gimblett. " You haven't heard yet," said the young woman, catching him up quickly. " Wait till I tell you." " I beg your pardon," said Mr Gimblett, mildly. " I don't wish anybody any harm, but I want to protect myself. That is the reason I come to you instead of communicating what I know to the poli :e." " You said you didn't know anything about the robbery," said Mr Gimblett, quickly. " I meant, of course, that I had nothing to do with it myself. But I know who did it," lejoined Martha, sharply. "On ! I see. Pardon me " Mollified by Mr Gimblett's hasty apology, the young woman proceeded to reveal what she knew in her terse, matter-of fact language, which her companion listened to with increasing respect. " [ daresay you are right," said Mr Gimblett. when she had concluded her recital. "But it -ounds strange. What sort of a man is Mr Mortimer ?" "He is younger than his wife. Married her for money, and gets precious little of ie," wa-> the significant answer. "If you are right— of course, you are not absolutely sure." said Mr Gimblett quite humbly — "I have no doubt I oan manage matiers so that you won't be annoyed any longer " "'I hat is all I want. Mind you don't carry the matter any further," said Martha, rising from her chair "If you won't take an> money from me," t-he added, "I won't pre«s it on >ou, because I daresay you will make him pay your expenses."

If Mr Girablett had required any further proof ot his visitor's t- hie \vd ness, the last rematk would have furnished it. A* he rose to open the door for her he was seized with a sort of sudden nervousnes* wnioh he had never before experienced. Hrt took her hand in his with the deliberate intention of giving it a fatherly squeeze in dicative of admiration, bu* upon meeting her gase he abandoned his subtle design, while a faint tinge of colour came to his tace. It wis not until he had been alone for nearly tive minutes that he completely recovered his equanimity, and then ne felt unaccountably ashamed o ( himself. However, his self-esteem survived the shock, and half -an- hour later he forth with his usual calm and confident air and manner, to make a few inquiries on his own account about Martha Chale and her story The latter, as far as regarded the r obbery, he found perfectly correct, nor did there seem any reason to doubt that the girl was perfectly innocent of the affair. Che police were watching her, it is true but this was chiefly owing to the instructions of Mrs Mortimer, and not because they had any grounds for suspect ng her. ■Vs a matter of fact, the jewels had been taken in a manner which loft absolutely no clue to the perpetrators of the theft. For his personal satisfaction, Mr Gimbtett ascertained that Martha Chale bore an excellent character, and when out of a situation lived with her mother, a respectable woman, who had brought up a large family by her own exertions. Fortified by these details. Mr Gimblett resolved to have an interview with Mr Mortimer without delay, for his sudden interest in Martha Chale prompted him to lose no time in earning her gratitude. He therefore took an early opportunity to pay Mr Mortimer a visit at his club, thinking he was more likely to be able to see him alone there than at hi-* own hou-e. Mr Mortimer looked a good doal surprised upon the detective's being ushered into the strangers' room at Blenheim, fio received him, however, civilly enough. 44 Your card intorms me that you are a detective officer," said Mr Mortimer, who was a florid, overdressed, rather handr-ome tran of forty, with a shifty glance and a weak chin. 11 An sir, to be precise. I thougnt," added Mr Gimblett, lowering his voice to a confidential whisper, '* you would sooner I called upon you here than at your own house." " It all depends on what you have come about," said Mr Mortimer, with an uneasy laugh. " ft's in connection with the alleged robbery of jewels a> your house," said Mr Gimblett, with startling abruptness, looking him straight in the face Mr Mortimer dropped his eyes to the carpet before the detective's gaze, either from sudden nervousness or from constitutional inability to meet a direct glance. He put his hands in hi a trou-ers pockets, and looking at the toes of his boots, meiely nodaed. " The fact is there is a young person who used to be in your service who seems to be unjustly suspected by the polico or by somebody," s-aid Mr Gimblett, in his most incisive tones. ' She is being watched and inconvenienced, though she isn't the eruilty party." ''You mean the girl Martha— Martha Chale, I suppose," hastily added Mr Mortimer. " Well, I don't suspect her My wife sent her away. I think it was devilish haid lines " "So it is In fa^t, it's persecution, and must be put, a stop to." •'It isn't my fault,'" said Mr Mortimer, xulkily. "I can't do anything in the matter " " You will have to, sir, or else " "Or else what, Ar? What tho deuce do you mean ?" cried Mr Mortimer, blazing up. "Well, sir, Miss Chale don't b ar you any malice, but -he does happen to recollect, your starting off on a journey with a ?m ill vali.^e on the evening of th« 7th of July," said Mr Gimblett, significantly. '* It mtyht be desirable to investigate that little tup. You were supposed to have gone to Birmingham on business, but " Tno ex derectivo'3 retn trks were interrupted by Mr Mortimer suddenly turning round and miking a tremendous rattling in the empty grate with the poker, apparently oblivious of the fact that there was no fire. But ere he effected this transparent manoeuvre, Mr Gimblett had remaikel the guilty glow which had suffu-ed his brow "It wouldn't do, of course, for Mrs Mortimer to ?uspect," resumed Mr Gimblett, quietly, as soon as he could m-tke himself heard again. "No, no. Come, out with it. Let us have no beating about the bush What i* it you want?" inquired Mr Mortimer, dropping the poker, and fidgeting about the mantelshelf. " Only a letter to the police inspector, that I can deliver," said Mr (iimblett, readily. "Nothing more than that." Mr Mortimer hurriedly seated himself at the nearest table, and took up a pen. " What shall I say ?" he inquired. " Only that you have reason to know that Martha Chale is innocent of the robbery, and request that the police will ceaoe to annoy her," said Mr Gimblett, glibly. 44 Reason to believe— not know," said Mr Mortimer, commencing to write. 41 Knmo," repeated Mr Gimblett, emphatically. "i) n it, then, have it your own way," exclaimed Mr Mortimer, as he rapidly dashed off the note. "What shall I say, though, to the police, if they ask me what I mean ?" he added, looking up. 44 They won't, sir. I'll manage that," said Mr Gimblett. " And my wife needn't know anything about this, I suppose ?" he continued. " Which, sir? Oh ! you mean the note to the police. No, sir; certainly not," said Mr Gimblett. 41 Very well. There you are then," said, Mr Mortimer, flinging the sheet of prper across the table. " It's rather a delicate job, sir ; may require a little oiling," said Mr Gimblett, coughing behind his hand. •' How much ?" demanded Mr Mortimer, after an "neasy pause. 44 Well, perhaps — perhaps a tenner." Mr Mortimer's only answer was to hand MrGimblett a bank-note rather tremulously, and with this the interview ended. Mr Gimblett bowed politely and took up his hat, while Mr Mortimer opened the door to him, looking particularly sheepish and crestfallen I Mr Gimblett chuckled to himself when he got outside, and proceeded in the direction of ScotUnd Yard, having first securely stowed away the ten-pound note. W hether the " oiling " process extended beyond Mr Gimblett himself is by no means clear. Suffice it to say that five minutes' chat with the inspector having charge of Mr Mortimer's case, theproduction of theletter, and a few nudges and winks exchanged over a friendly glasp, seemed all that was necessary to show how the land lay. From that d-iy forward Martha Chale ceased to be a suspected person, ev^n as a matter of form and the myntery of the robbery was considered to be solved in a manner not ultogether uncommon. Mr Gimblett was gallant enough to pay Martha Chale a visit at her mother's humble abode to report what he had done, and received the young woman's thanks, which

were tendered without the least enthusiasm, rather to hie disappointment. The exdetective evinced an inclination to follow up the acquaintance thus auspiciously commenced, and ventured to cull a second time when he happetud to be passing soon afterwards. But on the latter occasion Martha's manner was so abrupt and inhospitable that he did not care to repeat, the experiment, though he was surprised how very mildly he resented her treatment, ot him. Shortly after this, MrGimblott had to go ov<r to Paris on business "Missing person? traced " was one of the announce ments upon his professional prospectus, and this branch afforded him plenty of employment. The supposed elopement of a publican's wife with a sprightly grocer's assistant was the cause of his vu>it to the French capital on this occasion, and in course of his inquiiiesin connection with this thrilling case, he picked up a little piece of iufoitnation which recalled Martha Chale vividly to his recollection. Perhaps if the truth was known, her image suggested itself to his imagination rather frequently ; for there is no denying that for the first time in his life Mr Gimblett found .the gaieties of Paris decid dly depressing, and constantly detected fancied resemblances between casual passers-by and a certain young woman who had impressed him no much wkh her cleverness But the trifling discovery he made in Paris suggested an un comfortable suspicion as to w bother Martha Chale's cleverness had not been rather too much for him. In other words, he began to have a disquieting idea that the young woman had made a catspaw of him ; and what was worse, he learnt to doubt whether she was really as innocent of the disappearance of Mm Mortimer's jewels as she had pretended. Upon his return to England Mr Gimblett made some inquiries which resulted in his paying Mi»s Martha another vkit. in a frame of mind which wavered between furious indignation and bitter disappointmont. His perturbation was in created by a strange longing that he might after all have wronged her, and this charitable sentiment came uppormost when he met her face to face " Mis-* Chale," he said, as soon ns he got an opportunity of speaking to her alone, " you remember the story you told me about Mr Moi timer?" " Yes ; I do," was her calm reply. " "> ou declared you had seen in the valise ho took away with him the jewels thatweie pupposed to be stolen,"' proceeded Mr Gimblett. "I know I did ; but it wasn't true," returned Martha, returning Mr Gimblett's gazo almost defiantly. '• 1 know it wasn't true," retorted the exdetective, unable to conceal his resentment " I have di.-covered the mystery about Mr Mortimer's little trip. 1 have had an interview with the lady." " You seem to have taken a good deal of unnecessary trouble," said Martha, quite tartly. "I could have told you all about his goings on." " Well, you made a fool of me anyhow !" excl. limed the inspector, moie crestfallen than angry "You might have gone to Mr M. yourself; but neither you nor lie would have known how to manage the police." " That is why I came to you," said Martha with a nod "Yes; I understand that. It was very clever of jou, Mi-s. May I inquire your object ?" demanded Mr Gimblett, with ironical politeness " I was so clo.sely watched that I could'nt aid him to escape," said Martha, f>>r the first timt*. looking slightly embarr.is-ed. "Him! Who?'' inquired Mr Gimblett sharply. '"The party that did it. T was keeping company with him and I was fuol enough to to believe in him. He came into the house once or tsvice when I was alone, but I don't know how he managed to take the things. The loss was discovered before he had time 10 get a>vay, and he went into hiding — bemg ne« at it, I -upptme '" ''I should think so," fiercely ejaculated Mr Gimblett. " He swore he wouldn't stir without me, and I began to tear he would do something desperate I was afraid to go near him while i he police were about, so I came to you." " 1 see. And what became of him V inquired Mr Gimblett, his admiration for Martha's striking abilities for his own line of bu?ine«s overcoming oven his resentment and jea ousy. " I packtd him off," said Martha, laconically, '"to Ameiioa." " Are you to follow ?" asked Mr Gimblett, with a oiidden thumping at his heart. " Not [. The man is a fool and a coward, I couldn't marry either one or the other." said Martha, in her matter of-fact way. " Besides, I'm honest." "I knew you wore. I could have sworn it'" exclaimed Mr Gimblett, in a tone which seemed to disconcert even the im perturbable Martha. " But, I say," he added, abruptly, "you never let a cur like that get away with so much swag " " No ; he'll be disappoiuted when he arrives over the water He thinks he has it all, but it is upstairs," said Martha, with a short laugh. " Bravo !" cried Mr Gimblett, slapping his knee enthusiastically. "I was going to ask you to contrive somehow to take the things back to the Mortimers," said Vlartha. " I don't like keeping 'em in the bouse any longer." " Quite right. Leave everything to me Do you know, Miss Martha," said Mr Gimblett, becoming suddenly confidential, *' that thereV a reward offered which would do nicely to furnish a cottage tor a newlymarried couple." "Then it will come in convenient," said Martha, quietly. " It will, Martha, if you will only conpent," cried Mr Gimblett, suddenly seizing her hand. " I'm older than you, but we're suited for one another in every way. We should run well in double harness, my dear, both in business and domestic life." " You was saying I've made a fool of you once," remarked Miss Martha, neither elated nor indignant, but simply matter-of-fact ; " do you want me to do it again ?" Mr Gimblett's only answer was to imprint a kiss on the substantial hand he held between his own. For a moment Martha Chal«'s dark eyes flashed furiously, and she looked inclined to box his ears. But she finally didn't.

Visitors to the charming seaside resort of Teignmouth, South Devon (a correspondent of the "Pall Mall Gazette" writes), will perhaps remember a young fisherman who used to work the ferry between that town and the neighbouring fishing village of Sha'idon. It, was frequently remarked that thin young man was endowed wif<h more than the ordinary share of comeliness, and it has bean whispered that many fair ones were in the habit of using the ferry more times than wus absolutely necessary. At any rate the young man made anirresistiblo impression on one heart, and one that beat to the tune of £800 a year. This young lady was not to be dissuaded from her purpose, and the couple have been made one, the bride settling £400 a year on her husband Tn the United States there are" 14 towns called London, 12 named .Edinburgh, and 24 Dublins.