North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-06-07
A DETECTIVES ADVENTURE.
BY II. C. DAVIS.

!
! / had just stepped into q cafe to refresh
myself with cup of coffee and roll, when
billet was handed to me by messenger
which contained request for my presence
at headquarters. Hastily finishing my
lunch, was soon on my way. Arrived al
the bureau, found dispatch awaiting me
from the magistrate of the little village OF
Mayonne, situated in the far outskirts of the
city. 1t was an earnest and peremptory de-
mand for my services in an undertaking pur.
porting to be of great difficulty and danger,
and which was no less the fergeting out OF
| the perpetrators of foul murder which had
just been committed, aud to whom no clue
could be obtainsd. To this was attached a
postscript which exhorted me to come in the
shortest possible time, and in disguise.
was in the habit Of receiving such SUM-
mons as these, and equally in the habi. of
! Instantly obeying the mandates of duty, so
it IVES not long before l was on my way,
dressed in the holiday costume of a market
man, we'll provided with weapons and tools
and an extra stock of clothing. .-.
After arriving at the depot, went direct
ly TO the house Of the magistrate, and was
admitted into his presence in my assumed
| Character as poor man who had some COM
| plaintto offer. When | was alone with him
| introduced myself and e seemed overioyed
| TO see me. In fact found him greatly con-
| cerned IN the discovery of the authors of the
la te tragedy.
Tue affair was as ye: a complete mystery
TO oil who knew Of it, and he could give me
no circumstances Sheh could give clue to
the villains. He, however contaminated to
me his suspicious. which were strongly-ard
as facts afterwards proved, not without
toundation-tastened upon a set Of vaga-
bonds and arct-ruffians who had for some
days been hanging around the hotel des
Armes and also upon the landlord, with
whom they were on remarkably good terms
The landlord was an Englshman, and had
| been remarkably reserved in his remarks
| npon the subject of the murder. t-.
The magistrate advised me to begin my
operations at the hotel, aud If not entirely
successful, my efforts might find some clue
which would aid in detection
He promised me also a reward of five
| thousand francs to be paid out Of the private
| treasury if succeeded.
My course was instantly adopted. Bid
ding the magistrate good day, with the prom
lse TO do my utmost, returned imme ediately
to the depot, add finding the station master,
whom knew to be government official.
| and trustworthy man, told him my busi-
ness. Having let him into my secret, ask
ed him to lend me trunk, which he readily
did.
Then dunning the clothes of man Of busi
ness, | found no trouble when the tram ar
rived, in getting man to take me, trunk
and all, in his coach to the hotel des Armes
BY this time night was approaching, and
as entered the hotel wich the air and bear
ing of a man of business, took the landlord
aside, and pointing to my trunk with an as.
sumed anxiety in my manner said in con-
fidential tone, "Mc nsieur, that trunk con-
| tains bank notes to the amount OF eighty
! thousand frances. want it to occapy the
same room with myself, unless you have
stronger place where you could keep it,
thought detected slight fash oe delight
in his uncertain, gray eyes, as | pronounced
these words, and also slight uneasinese and
confusion in his manner, as he replied quick.
ly, Oh, yes, nonsieure, our rooms are per-
fectiy safe. will show you and your trunk
Immediately to the very strongest in the
house, and have no hesitation in warrant
ing you perfect security" .
'0h, no hurry" said waving my hand
for wished to draw him into converse ton,
that might more fully understand my man.
touched upon the recent murder, and en-
deavored 10 elicit further particulars con-
corning the affair. But little to my surprise
found him not in the least disposed to be
communicative on any subject, and least OF
all on this.
He onlv said that the perpetrators had
not been heard from, and IN his opinion never
would be. Failing to overcome his reluct-
ance ordered my truak to be taken to my
room, whittier Immediately followed it my.
self. Then dismissing the lackey on pre-.
tense of making my toilette, improved the
opportunity 10 examine my quarters. .b
The room was large and high the walls
were thick and tho mouldings heavy. The
door--and there was only one was very
strong, and fastened by a lock with large
brass key, Strange to say, this lock aroused
my suspicious. | examined the key and found
it OF pattern easily counterfcited, and I en-
tertained no doubt that these robbers-if
any there were-would attempt an entrance
| by means of duplicate, and once within
! the walls they might promise m easy prev.