Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-12-05
ONE NIGHT IN A GAM1Ne-HoUsl
nY AN Ex.poL1cz OFFICER.

az Az Ex-PoLICx OFFICER.
A little more than year after the
oeriod when adverse circumstances
chiefly the result of my reckless fol-
lies-compelled me TO enter the ranks
of the Metropolitan Police, as the sole
means left me OF procuring food and
raiment, the attention OF one OF the
principal chiefs of the force was attrac-
ted toward me by the ingenuity and
boldness, which / was supposed to have
manifested in biting upon and unraVel-
ing a clue, which ultimately led to the
detection and punishment Of the perpe-
traitors of an artistically contrived fraud
upou an eminent tradesman OF the
West end of London. The chief sent
for me-and after a somewhat length
eped conversation, not only expressed
admiration of my conduct in the par
ticuIar matter under discussion, but
binted that he might shortly need my
service in some other affair requiring
intelligence and resolution.
81 think I have met you before" he
remarked with meaning smile, on
dismissing me, "when you occupied
different position from your present
one. Do not alarm yourself-I have
no wish to pry unnecessarily into other
mems secrets. Waters is name COM
mon enough in all ranks of society, and
Imay, you know" here the cold smile
deepened into an ironical expression
"be mistsken. At all events, the
testimony OF the gentleman who OBJ
tanned your admission 10 the force-l
have looked into the matter since l
heard of your behavior in The late bu-
siness-is a sufficient guarantee that
nothing more serious than imprudence
and folly can be laid to your charge.
have neither right nor inclination to in
quire further. Tomorrow, in all prob
ability | shall send for you"
came to the conclusion, IS walked
homeward, that the chiefs intimation
Of having previously met me in anoth-
er sphere of life was random and un-
fortunate one, as / had seldom visited
London in my prosperous days, and
still more rarely mingled in its society.
Nv wife, however. TO whom |, OF course,
related the substance of the converse
ton, reminded me that he had once
been at Doncaster during the races
and suggested that he might possibly
have seen me there. This was a suffi-
ciently probable explanation Of the
hint-but whether the correct one or
not, | cannot decide, as he never after
ward alluded to the subject, and had
not the slightest wish to renew it.
Three days elapsed before l received
the expected summons. On waiting
on him, ] was agreeably startled to 6pd
that was to be at once employed on
mission which the most sanguine and
experienced detective officers would
have felt honored to undertake.
"Here is written description Of the
persons Of this gang of blacklegs,
swindIers and forgers," concluded the
Commissioner. summing up his instruc-
ton. at will be your object TO dis
cover their private haunts. and secure
legal evidence of their notorious practi-
ces. We have been hitherto baffied,
principally, 1 think, through the too
hasty zeal of the officers employed
you must especially avoid that error.
They are practiced scoundrels; and it
requires considerable practice, as well
as acumen to unkennel and bring them
TO Justice. One of their more recent
victims is young Mr.. Merton, son, by
a former marriage, of the Dowager
Lady Everton. Her ladyship has ap-
piled to us to extricate him from the
tolls in which he is meshed. You will
call on her at five O'Clock this after
noon-in plain clothes of course-and
obtain whatever information on the SUBJ
ject she may be able to afford. Re-
member to communicate directly with
me-and any assistance you may re-
quire shall be promptly rendered"
With these, and few other minor
directions, needless to recapisulate, 1
was dismissed to task which, difficult
and possibly perilous as it might prove,
I hailed as a delightful relief from the
weary monotony and dull routine OF
ordinary duty.
Ibasteped home, and after dressing
with great care-the best part of my
wardrobe had been fortunately saved
by Emily from the wreck of my for
tune-l proceeded to Lady Everton's
mansion. l was Immediately marshaled
to the drawing-room, where l found
her ladyship and her daughter-a beau
tiful fair looking girl-awaiting my ar
rival. Lady Everton appeared greatly
surprised at my appearance, differing,
as i dare say it altogether did, from her
abstract idea of a policeman, however
suired or disguised-and it was no;
until she had perused the note Of which
Twas the bearer, that her naughty and
ipcredulous stare became mitigated 10
glance of lofty condescendent civil
ity. -,
..Be seated, Mr.. Waters" said her
ladyship, waving me a chair. "Thi'
note informs me that you have beer
selected for the duty of endeavoring Il
extricate my son from the perilous en-
tanglements in which he has unhsppily
involved himself"
Twas about to reply-for ] was silly
enough to be somewhat nettled at The
noble lady's haughtiness Of manner
that 1 was engaged in the public ser