The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-05-12
4 GbrilIing Gtorn.
A NIGHT OF PERIL.
A DETECTIVES STORY.

Ot course If Is TO be expected that in q lite
like mine I Should often be exposed to danger
Of personal character; it is the lot of all de-
tectivo officers, and have been no exception
10 the rule. In the course Of ny life have
been subjected several times to extreme peril
In the following story / am about TO give an
instance OF such peril 10 the reader.
One day was sent for by the President Of
tie Bank of Commerce. When arrived there
l found the whole bank in state Of consterna-
ton. The safe had been broken into during
the night, and all the specie distracted. I'M
mediately proceeded TO examine the safe, and
found that the locks had been forced; but
single glance was sufficient o show me that the
locks had been forced after it had been opened,
or in other words whoever had taken the mon
ey had wished TO convey the impression that 1t
had been forced open from the outside Ot
course I at once came to the conclusion that
some one connected with the establishment had
taken the money. While examining the spot,
| found on the ground a single leaf OF white
Provence rose. 1t IS the observation Of small
things .hat makes good detective, for it IS Of
fen the most trivial circumstance which sup
niles the first link it the chain. did not pick
up ibis rose leaf nor indeed appear to notice It.
After the scrutiny was over, l went 70 tAe ffes-
idents, Sir, CameEon's apartment.
"Weu, Branpton," sand be, ''What DO yon
make ont Of 1t z"
sDo YOU suspect anybody connected with lie
bank p / asked.
Certainly not It Is impossible that anybody
connected with the bank could have committed
the robbery; it must have been the work Of
burglars. Did you visit thescellar where the
robbers entered?"
eyes. aad found that the bars had been fled
from the inside"
'Inleed but what do you make cut about
the safe ~
''That the lock was forced after the safe was
opened"
THAT some one connected with the bank is
guilty of the robbery; and he has endeavored
to make it appear that it is the work of profes-
sional burglars But he has done his work very
bunglingly."
''You must be mistaken" replied the Presi-
dent. Il would answer for all in tie employ
Of the bank with my life"
81 am afraid you would lose it" replied,
with smile, ''for there can be no doubt about
The truth Of my assertion"
''But how viii you prove it?'
F'That remains to beseen. How many have
you in the employ of the bank g"
Twelve, including the porter"
"Who has care of the safe %
MIR. Charles Munsel."
'sHave any Of your clerks special fontlness
for iowers!"
s'That is strange question. But since you
ask it, I remember that Munsei generally has
flower in his buttonhoIe."
''Who IS this Munsel?"
"a very worthy young man. Yoa surely
10 not suspect him ?"
II shall be very much surprised if he does
not prove to be the robber."
.sBut you astonish me! He has the reputa-
ton Of being very pious."
every well, we shall see. Where does he
live ?"
s'No. - East Broadway"
''What time does he 60 to dinner?"
''At two O'Clock"
ssJust point him out to ne as 1 go through
the bank, and | will see you again tomorrow
morning"
Mr. Cameron did rs requested The young
man | suspected was about twenty-five years OF
age. He was quite hands 1me, IT might have
been my fancy, but l thought there was hyp-
ocriticaI look about his f9ce l glanced earnest
w at him, So that might engrave his c0unte-
nance IN my memory, and then passed into the
street.
/ directed my steps at once to East Broad
way, and calling al the clerks residence, found
that it was furnished in gorgeous style, far be-
yond his means. The door was opened by
shrewd old woman. I asked to see Alr. Mum
sci. but was Of course told that he was not at
home. But my purpose was answered by my
visit, for in the hall, saw quantity of choice
flowers in pots, and among them fine Pr0reace
rose employed the rest of the day in making
inquiries as to the private life of Mr. Munsel,
and found that he was very eXtravagant IN his
habits, and also discovered that on that very
day be had deposited a large SUM Of money un-
der false name in the Manhattan Savings
Bank The next morning went to the bank
for the purpose of reporting my progress to the
President, and to advise the immediate arrest of
young Munsel.
s'WeI, you were right about that young
man :" said MIR. Cameron to me, the moment
entered his private room.
''You have come to that conclusion, have
you7" replied.
eyes, after you had gone yesterday, caused
his accoums to be examined, and found q terri
bic deficit, amounting to $50 000. Icalled him
into the room, and asked him for an explana-
! ton"
s.The worst thing you could have done" I
interrupted
s.You are right-he has escaped
81 expected as much. And where has he
gone p
s'Eie left last night by the southern train-~-at
| least SO we suspected. He has an uncle living
about fifteen miles from Augusta, Ga, and it
is very likely he has gone there. Now, Mr.,
! Brampton, you must follow him.