The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-10-20

1 grew up DeIWoeQ tQ6 QeSlRQlUR nypOCIibo
and the Edwards family. They were
charmed by his general urbanity, apparent
responsibility, and seeming piety; and their
blind confidence greatly lessened the diff
culties of the villains task. Among the
members of Mr.. Edwards family was
A HANDSOME DAUGHTER,n
some IL years of age, in whom Blood pro-
fessed deep interest, and finally pro-
posed to the parents a marriage with a
nephew of his, y hom he represented to be
young. respectable, and pious, with an
income of $500 year. The young lady's
parents approved the suggestion, and IL was
arranged that the suitor should call on GER
tain day-Monday, May9. On the evening
before the time appointed, Blood called, and
requested that, tor reasons which he pro-
ceeded TO give his nephew might be received
at O'Clock in the morning-an hour, 1t will
| be perceived, when few people would be
| likely to be abroad; and also asked permis-
sion for his nephew to bring two friends
with him to see the regalia-assigninga as
reason that the friends were compelled to
leave London at an early hour. The simple
minded MIR. Edwards was only too glad
to oblige his esteemed friend, and
gladly consented to the arrangements.
At an early hour In the morning
the family were up and prepared to receive
their guests and their future son-in-law.
Arrival of the robbers. Promptly the pre-
tended parson and his friends made their
appearance-every one of them being con-
spirator, and each of them carrying con-
cealed under his CLOAK short sword, dirk
and pair OF pistols. Greeting Mr.. Edwards
warmly, Blood apologized and begged one
more favor, that his friends might be shown
the regalia at once as they were pressed Tor
time and anxious TO depart. Accordingly
the party was conducted to the jewel room,
Mr.. Edwards carefully closing the door after
L. \ fNrra TlNa tkF1n hnruff
had been left at the entrance, to warn the
conspiraiors inside of approaching danger.
The door had no sooner closed than the
three villains threw off their disguise, and,
drawing their weapons, rushed upon the old
man and threatened him with instant death
If be gave the slightest alarm. But the gall
liant keeper was not easily intimidated, and
shouted for assistance; whereupon he was
knocked down, cruelty beaten, and lett for
dead. Having thus disposed of the faithful
sentinel, Blood and his confederates set rap
idly at work to possess themselves of the
coveted treasure. The glass in which
it was inclosed was shivered at a
single blow, and the golden crown gilt
tering with its wealth of gems, was quickly
seized, and concealed under the chief con-
spirator's ample cloak. Parrott, another of
the robbers, took possession of the orb and
other gems; while another proceeded to file
the golden sceptre in two, that it might the
more readily be concealed. Everything had
thus far been auspicious. The scheme had
been cunningly devised; the simple minded
keeper had unwittingly extended to the
robbers every aid they needed;
and they now found themselves
ALONE IN THE JEWEL HOUSE,
well armed, and in possession of the coveted
booty; and it was only the merest accident
which prevented the complete success of the
bold scheme. A son of Mr.. Edwards, who
was an officer on an English trading vessel,
.chanced to arrive in port that morning. in
company with brother-in-law, Col. Black
man, of the British army, who had been
passenger on his vessel, and they hastened
at once to call upon the elder Edwards.
They passed Blood's pretended nephew at
the door, and proceeded directly to the
keepers room. The sentinel Immediately
notified his accomplices of the approaching
danger, when they made haste to
gather such treasures as they could
conceal, and beat basty retreat.
But no sooner had they left the room than
Edwards, who had shrewdly feigned insen-
sibility, raised himself from the pool OF
blood in which he had been lying, ana
shouted for help with all his remaining
strength. The robbers had, i'm their hasty
flight, left the door OF the room open, and
his cries were heard by his daughter, who
was passing along the hall to the drawing
room, to which she had been summoned to
meet her brother. fastening to the room
from which the cries proceeded, she took in
the situation in glance, and ran shrieking
to the room wber5 her brother and Capt.
Blackman were awaiting, exclaiming that
her father had been murdered. and
the crown stolen. Young Edwards and his
companion hastened to the jewel house
and lifted up the wounded man; but, at his
earnest request, they lett him and went In
pursuit of the robbers, who were straining
every nerve to escape. They had made their
way out of the building and crossed the
court ward without molestation, and had
reached the draw bridge over the moat.
Here they came upon sleepy sentinel who
halted them; but Blood discharged pistol
| at his head, when the frightened man,
| though unhurt, fell, and the fugitives passed
over him, cleared the outer gate and
nearly reached the park. where fast
horses had been provided for them. But
the two pursners had not been idle, and
were rapidly gaining on them. Just as
Blood cleared the last gate Capt. Blackman
came up with him, and they grappled. A
fierce struggle ensued, but the captain sue
ceeded in overcoming his antagonist, and the
crown was wrenched from his grasp. As
the daring man thus saw his hopes disap-
pear, and escape impossible he quietly sur
rendered, and playfuliy remarked to his
captor, "It was
A GALLANT STRUGGLE,
however unsuccessful. 1t was a struggle for
a crown" Parrot and the other accom-
plices, who had the orb and other jewels,
were soon overtaken and captured, and NJ
| timately the woman who had so effectually
aided the plot in it's inception was arrested.
Thus ended this bold attempt to steal the
English crown-an attempt with few paral-
lels in any age. The King was enraged at
! this insOlent attack on the emblems of roy
atty, and ordered Blood to be immediately
examined in his presence Before the king,
Il Blood preserved the most insolent effront-
cry. He assured his majesty that he
feared nothing, human or divine. He
4 was in their powers and expected to suffer.
But, he said, he was allied toone of the most
powerful organizations in the kingdom.
consisting OF thousands of men who had
oh oth "A