The Van Buren press., 1875-11-16

-
Thomas Laycosk had not fulfilled his
mission, and having discovered that his
carpet bag was at the hotel where he had
registered on his arrival, he called upon
Mr. Barrett, and learned the particulars
of the visit to the theatre, and the sup
per afterward Information was then
given to the police.
The first step taken hy the authorities
was to discover the seafaring man with
whom Mr. Laycock had last been see on
the night Of his disappearance. The
walters at Bakers distinctly remembered
this person, but said that he was per.
feet stranger whom they had never seen
before nor since 1t was ascertained.
however, that soon after midnight MIR.
Layeo,k and the stranger Quilted the
oyster house in company
Search was made for the sailor among
the shipping and those haunts which men
of his class usually frequent ed, but all
in vain. Those places which young iAsn
from the country districts were in the
habit of visiting to make acquaintance OF
women. were subjected to rigid examl
nation. The police were of the opinion
that Mr.. Laycock had not been to any Of
them.
Among the officers engaged in the elu
ciiation of the mystery. WAS the detect
i've who. on November Ia, visited the
store OF Benson, on Ginger Lane. This
officer name was Thorpe, and he was
considered to be among the most efficient
Of the secret police force. After seve
raj DAYS of anxious investigation, exten
ding far into each night, this officer was
alto we'd DAYS respite. All day, how
ever. the subject of the missing man was
in his thoughts, and the prospect OF a
large reward which had been offered for
his discovery, dead or alive, aided in
prompting the officer to undertake an
other vigorous search for the stranger
with whom Laycock was last seen. With
these thoughts occupying his mind, the
detective fell asleep, and had clear and
remarkable dream.
He dreamed that he was walking down
street which seemed familiar to him,
when he heard scream. Turning round
to discover whence this cry came, he be
came conscious that all the shops were
closed, and the street was dark and de
serted The scream was repeated. and he
then observed a glimmer of light coming
! through the shutter of a house on the
opposite side of the street. He dreamed
| that he crossed the street, and placed his
eve To the crevicc. Inside was a room
dimly lighted from above. In the GEN.
tre of the apartment man stood. hold
lj..tr III. f,ssn af a shrinking w,man hy
Tie wrist, and with his fist raised as
though about TO strike. This man, the
dreamer thought, answered. in every re-
spect, to the description given OF the old
fashioned sea captain with whom Lay
cock had made friends on the night OF
his disappearance The detective dream
ed that he attempted to enter the swell
ing, but just AS he turned the handle oi
| the door, he awoke.
Next morning, as he was dressing. the
dream Of the night before came fresh to
his memory.
Suddenly. the circumstances Of his
visit to Benson's place, on Ginger Lane
rccurrcd to him. There, on that occa-
sion, looking through slit in the blind
he saw Benson. whom his wife represen
ted as sck in bed, grasping her wrist
and standing over her in threatening at
titude-jnsl as he had seen the actors in
his dream
or Benson he knew nothing, beyond
his being in q business which, in NEST in.
etances, was built up on the spols Of the
river and dock thieves.
He had never seen him until he beheld
him in the room, standing near his wife
but it suddenly occurred to him here thai
he did not even know that the man he
saw on that occasion was Benson. liz
had little doubt that it was Benson, how,
ever, and. if so, what was his object in
representing himself as in bed al thai
time
Thorpe glanced at his note book, and
found that his visit to BeuSon $ WAS OF
November l4th, the day after the disap
pearance Of Mr.. Laycock.
The detective was not a superstition:
man, but the feeling got possession o.
him that his dream was all inspiration
and he resolved to act upon it.
All that day he thought over his plans
aud in the dusk Of the evening he wen
forth SO thoroughly disguised that his
own mother would not have identified
him. He passed up and down Ginger
Lane several times. and watched the pro
ceeoings in Benson shop. Present.,
he saw a notorious river thief enter ant
pass into tue back room. Thorpe waitet
for some time, and when the thief came
out he followed him until he reached tho
next corner. Then Thorpe put his hano
on his arm and said:
Halo, jim how goes itT'
The thief turned slowly, and confront
ed Thorpe
You don't know me" Thorpe said
laughing
- IN d-d, if l do
"Thorpc,' the willy officer said in 8
whisper.
! The thief started, but Thorpe said
Don't be afraid, jim; you are no,
wanted, that know of. But | should
| like TO ask you question or two
"All right" the thief replied GO
ahead! You've always been square with
me. and Ii be the same TO you
/ You we're in Bcnson's, just now:''
the officer asked
81 was" the thief answered " but it
was nothing in your line"
That's all right the detective an
swered Bensons been sick, hash I
hp1'