[Slackftp-main] nry explained th

[Callihan <uni...@2m...>]

Known the habits and plans of every soul in the place, and the exact
instant at which the Countess had arranged to drive to Stafford to catch
the London express. It appeared that save for four maidservants, a page,
two dogs, three gardeners, and the kitchen-clerk, Mrs Gater was alone in
the Hall. During the late afternoon and early evening they had all been
to assist at a rat-catching in the stables, and the burglar must have
been aware of this. It passed Mrs Gater's comprehension how the criminal
had got clear away out of the gardens and park, for to set up a hue and
cry had been with her the work of a moment. She could not be sure
whether he had taken any valuable property, but the inventory was being
checked. Though surely for her an inventory was scarcely necessary, as
she had been housekeeper at Sneyd Hall for six-and-twenty years, and
might be said to know the entire contents of the mansion by heart! The
police were at work. They had studied footprints and _debris_. There was
talk of obtaining detectives from London. Up to the time of going to
press, no clue had been discovered, but Mrs Gater was confident that a
clue would be discovered, and of her ability to recognise the burglar
when he should be caught. His features, as seen in the moonlight, were
imprinted on her mind for ever. He was a young man, well dressed. The
Earl had telegraphed, offering a reward of L20 for the fellow's capture.
A warrant was out. So it r