Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-12-11
IlisGtIIan&uus.
The Mysterious Robbelies.
A DETECTIVES STORY.

While sitting alone in my Office one dull,
dark, drizzly October afternoon, indulging
in the luxury of a quiet smoke, the door
opened in timid, hesitating manner, and
al DID, wrinkled, gray-headed man, poorly
and shabbily dressed, shutfled In, and throw
ing the glance of what was still a keen,
restless, suspicious black eye over my per-
son, said in a snbdued and what sounded
like a humble tone, that he called to see Mr..
George Larkin.
That is my name, sir" returned l !;
"pray step forward and take a seat"
The old man seemed to hesitate mo-
ment eyed me sharply, glanced warlly
about the apartment, and then observed as
he walked forward and sat down near me :
Il hope we are alone, Mr.. Larkin, for
my business concerns only our two selves"
1--WE are quite alone, sir, as you see"
"But sometimes, AIN told" ," he continued,
hesitatlngly, {" these kind Of places-l beg
your p4rdo ! mean no offcnse to YOU
sometimes, | say, am told, these places
are celtrived for secret listeners"
"But have assured you, sir" l replied
rather coldly, that we are alone here, and
If you doubt my word, perhaps you had bet
ter carry your secret whatever it is, away
with you"
"Wel1, WELL" he rejoined, somewhat has
tily, never mind | will take your word !;
will trust you And have good authori-
ty for doing so. too" he added, partly So
ailoqniEhg and partly addressing me,
"You sec, Mr. Larkn, as there is to be
confidence between us, it is no more than
fair to tell you that l have been to magis-
trate, asking for trusty and secret police
agent, Of superior cunning and intelligence,
and that Mr.. George Larkin was named as
the individual on whom | could rely i'll eve
ry particular"
Il am much obliged to the magistrate,
whe:ver he is, for hs good opinion and re-
commendation," answered with slight
bow. @ And now, sir, if you are satisfied,
am prepared to hear your communication
Again the old man hesitated and eyed me
keeily, and turued somewhat pale at the
thought of what he was about to divulgc
but at last, as if pressed by necessity, he
seemed to put his scruples aside, and said :
Mr. Larkin, | ain all old man, as you see,
and perhaps a rather eccentric one, as you
may discover Old as am, am alone in
the world, having neither wife nor child
only some distant relations who do not care
for M" (here he glanced his keen eyes sus
piciously around him, leaned forward and
whispered in my ear) 81 have gold--muct
gold-gold enough to-to-. Well, nc
matter"
looked at the old man as he paused, and
said, while debating in my own mind
whether he was sane or monomaniac, "Weil
Sir, what has this gold to do with me ?"
Let me confess to you" he pursued
since have never told to mortal ear, that
love gol adore gold-and that | am
what the world, if it knew, would call a
miser."
Then you are to be pitied," said l.
lie fastened upon me strange, startled
searching look, as if he doubted the sinceri
" of my words, the sentiment of which was
beyond his comprehension, it being impos.
sible for him to understand how miser-
man having actual heaps of gold-could
DC IN any degree subject of pity.
Yes, he resumed at length, "I neve,