Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-05-19
THE PIOUS ROBBER.


Daring my twenty-five years of actual
service as detective, I have found many
who have stolen the livery of heaven tc
serve the devil in.
One morning stepped into Chief Mat
sells Office, having just returned from the
West, when l was accosted by the Chief.
''Hallo, Harry; glad to see you there is
work ahead
Whats up now? another murder?''
exclaimed
''No, it's a robbery or, as 1 should say
series of robberies.
Where ?"
Bond street"
What not on Bond street, cried, as.
tonished, for in my absence 1 had heard OF
frequent robberies being committed on that
particular street.
''Yes, Harry, this is the tenth robbery
inside of two weeks" replied Matsall.
''Can it be fathomed?"
Il know not; in fact we had no one to
work it up
Where Bolt and Knight?"
"On that murder case in Newark
"And Charley Ross?''
HE has just finished the Chatterton
forgery case, and is expected here to NOR
row. So, Howard you will have to work up
this one."
''I'll try it, but I cannot go to work till
morning, for must rest''
IAN right" returned the Chief, and |
left the headquarters.
The many robberies which had taken
place On Bond street were very mysterious,
and no trace could be had of the depreda.
tor, for tn ey seemed to have been commit
ted by one pers on. Detectives from Phila.
delphia worked at the case for while, but
went home no wiser than they came
l had worked up many detective cases
and was considered irst-rate detective
that is by our Chief-and nearly all the
mysterious and intricate work was placed ir
my hands.
As | entered head quarters the succeed
ing morning I was hailed by Matsall;
Another robbery last night, Harry"
mot on Bond street, hope"
Yes, it is there again.
THE devil - 1 cried, perfectly astonish
ed.
''It is either his Satanic majesty or his
imps,' said the Chief, with smile upon
his face
Who was visited last nighti
Mrs. Durant, the Irish widow. She
was here this morning, and said that she
had been robbed of valuables amounting to
over five thousand dollars
''Whew /" l exclaimed, that was big
haul"
"Now, Howard, you had better go and
examine the scene of the robbery, and do
as You think best"
L left the Office and ere long stood on the
marble steps of Mrs Durant's brown stone
front. A servant bade me enter, and was
conducted to the parlor, where found the
widow bathed in tears. She quickly looked
up and drew her hand across her eyes.
Il am Harry Howard [ said by way
of introduction.
''Mr. Howard, the detective -
''The same, Madame
"You come to investigate the matter, do
you not?'
II do. l would like to see the room
where you kept your valuables.'
Follow me-" said the widow; and she
led me up stairs to small room where the
jewels had been kept.
Things were in topsy turvy condition.
Drawers lay on the floor with their contents
scattered about the room. The iron safe
was broken open and the meney and jewels
extracted. l noticed that there was stain
of blood upon one of the drawers, and con-
cluded that the burglar had injured him
self in some way, while committing his dep
relations. The next moment 1 picked up
part of an envelope which was saturated
with blood. l examined it closely, and
found that it had been addressed to REV.
Noah Newton, New ork" 1 hastily thrust
it into my pocket, and turning to the wild
ow, said:
Mrs Duraut, do you know Rev. Noah
Newton of this city?
"Oh, yes, he is our pastor; but you do
not suspect him ?''
''Oh, no, / was requested to enquire about
him, by friend.