The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-08-27
CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP.

TeAu TO comply with ntf regiment
had nothing for it but to vacate my
room and surrender my night key
the former being wanted, was giver
to understand, for Mr.. 0'Bush, an old
customer, of Mrs. Ringwoodie's
whom She was under standing
promise to accommodate, and whose
arrival was hourly expected. Mr..
/ O'Bush, | may here say, was Mrs.
/ Rindwoodie's Mrs. HARRIS conven.
lent myth-one who never came, but
was always coming when dein-
qGent boarder was to be got rid Of.
| had come to the city to be an au-
thor; but my efforts with pen to
scrape acquaintance with fame and
fortune had not proved over success
/ fu-l.
I Down to my last dollar, an d no
immediate prospect Of another, and
wearied with long search after a
cheap boarding house whose terms
were not invariably in advance |
att ME down in an out-of-the-way res
taurant, TO face tough beefsteak and
she still tougher question of what
was best to be done.
\ grave looking gentleman sat op-
posIte, diyididing his attention be-
tween bottle of wine and the even
ing paper
What bungIing set of fellows
these detectives are, - said the gentle
man. whose tone left it doubtful
whether he spoke to himself or to me.
Why, be continued answering
my look, here's that bank robbery.
nearly week old; yet with every
clue to guide them, and the stimulus
Of handsome reward besides. those
who should have been hot on the
scent within an hour, still stand gap
ing with their fingers in their mouths.
Things We're managed differently in
my day.
- lon were a detective once" |.
ventured TO surmise.
lie nodded
" This rewards it very large ?"
/ asked
Five thousand dollars" he an
swcred, for the recovery of the
property and capture of the thief"
Twould be a quick wav to make !
said / If one knew how to
60 about it,
Would you like to go halves in /
the effort - he queried sum
ming NE up with a scrutinizing
glance
fear | should be Of little ser
wee" | returned; Il have no expert
ence in such matters, and am almost
a stranger in the city.
The very thing to render your
nd invaluable This crime evident
Y is not the work Of novice. and
o your professional thief fevery detec-
ives face Is rs familiar a. a pals.
The mere sight of one puts the game
o flight With YOU it would be
lilierent Under skillful guidance
-ou could work unsuspected. Now.
{ you put yourself in nv hands for
hirty-six hours, | believe we can
,ag the prize What say you-is it ,
. bargain ?" 4;
1t was not exactly the road to for .
une | had set. out in, but it looked
Ike a shorter cut at starting. At
NY rate, my circumstances were des-
'erate, and | saw no better chance
0 mend them
" | accept your Offer" | said. i
Come along, then, said the stran- |
.er, rising; and having settled our
cores, we left the place together.
la the street be took my arm, and {
.fter a long walk through unfrequent- '
d bystreets, my companion called a /
alt before a sober looking house, in t
0 which he admitted US with latch
ey. He led the way up stairs to a |
habbily furnished apartment, in f
'hich a dim light was burning. i
We seated ourselves, and my com a
anion was beginning to unfold his '
Ians. when knock was heard at the d
oor t
The knock was three times repeat \
1 in a peculiar manner, when nv /
ost got up and cautiously opened the ;
cor. |
\ man stood outside with his hat |
ulled over his eyes. n
- T. Tyar-. mo n t.tn,rnp. - .,;l a
stepping out and closing Z
le door. il
| heard low and earnest voices in b
le passage, but only distinguished a
le words, Train for Boston at ten "
an Francisco train at half past Ii
erea." Il
Soon there was sound Of foot n
cps, and the door Of the room open b
|, and the proprietor entered. r
" I've no time to explain further #
)w," he said. Meet me at the de- b
1t in time for the ten O'Clock train t.
r Boston" '
But / have no money! an f,
yered. n
IN see to that" he replied Il
There was little time to lose, and | Il
sc to go. 81
Would you mind carrying this il
tchel ?" said he; II have short Il
op to make by the way, besides 81
wing valise to look after" o'
| received from his hand the arti- el
lie in question, which was small Il
ID light. Ia
In the waiting room at the depot ~ ~
Y attention was drawn to the click |,
9 of telegraphic instrument. u
| had once been an operator, and W
d learned TO read messages by the y,
=. 1t is said that eves-droppers a,
rely hear good of themselves, and sr
e present case, though listening n,
rs involuntary, proved no exception. r
Judge Of my amazement when | ~
ard clicked of to me in language 10
plain as plain as speech, a full de- of
-iption Of mypersOn and everything ra
rtaining to me, down 10 the satchel ne
my hand-in which latter, it was h
id, would be found portion of the n,
nds stolen from the-Bank h.
lid not stay to hear what followed, AZ
lieh was doubtless an order for my a,
mediate arrest. u
The truth at once flashed upon me- be
rad been made the dupc Of the real II