Frankly Acknowledged. .

Otago Witness, Issue 2651, 4 January 1905, Page 76

Frankly Acknowledged. .

The mistress of a new house* in a London suburb had gone out for the afternoon. About 4- o'clock the door-bell rang, and the maid who opened it was confronted by a. tall, distinguished-looking stranger. Ho -asked to "see Mrs Blank on important business. ' i "She has gone out," said the maid, "ajicl has left no word as to when she will return.^' ** . ( "That is very- unfortunate,',' said the stranger, "as my, business is important. .May I step in and wait?". - ' " The maid led the way to the -drawing/ room; and asleep him to be seated.. " He looked about -with interest at jfcb^ bric-a-brac, rare bronzes, .and other ornaments. The maid, suspicious but polite, found a seat at a little distance and waited also, in silence. A quarter of an hour passed. Then th? stranger, growing uneasy, stirredin his> chair. t "I beg your pardon," he said, "but I cannot wait any longer. I sha l *.. leave a message for your mistress. Will-you- kindly provide xne with pencil and paper?" The maid bowed respectfully, but instead of .leaving him alone,, she touched a , bftU and summoned another c maid,-"' whom, ishe directed to brring the stationery. . The gentleman wrote and/ sealed a', note, and banding it to' the madd 1 , bowed himself out. A few mimrtes. later Mrs Blank returned. The niaidi gave her the note. "She opened it and read: "Dear Madam,— A complete stranger takes the .liberty of attesting to a fact with which you are probably already acquainted! — 'that your maid is no fool." The gentlemanly thief had found hia match at last.