, 1875-02-07
4 LIVING STATUE.

uou MenIloD yCuI Cal11Otn1a Elrla, please.
! 4 LIVING STATUE.
In tho height Of the Exhibition season Of 1862
| terry, and suspicion generated in the Industrial
| Palace by constant succession OF petty rob-
berries, which took place nearly every night at
| tho best stalls. Articles OF value we're stolen
from drawers and boxes money left: by STALL
keepers often went, unless very securely slowed
away but the deprcdators did not venture on
| taking any bulky articles, or on breaking open
any receptacle which would require great force.
| They knew their risks, TINT was evident and
that the thefts were committed bv some petson
| or persons connected with the Exhibition WAS
also beyond doubt. Watches had been set,
traps had beeE laid over and over again, but
all in vain. When too much had been done in
the way OF planting watchmen, no robhezies
took place at all and when articles had been
purposely left, apparently forgotten, but in re-
ality fixed by the minutess wires to bells which
sounded at the slightest touch they we're left un-
touched. The thief, it only one, always stole.
too, from places in the shade, go that he could
command 4 view OF the more open spaces, whilo
he himself was unseen.
One morning. as the Sergeant Of Polica vas
going his early round before the building was
opened fer tho day, be came upon an exhibitor
aud his staff OF assistants, who were grouped
round q box which wae open before them and
at which they were looking with apparent inter
est.
'sGood morning, Mr. Basclton," said the off,
Ger; "a very fine day re Gro likely to have"
Fine day, cir! And very fine night We have
had, too. I suppose" retorted the exhibitor, in
tone far leas pleasant than that in which he had
been addressed, Here's pretty affair! Seven
pounds worth Of Scotch pebbles set in silver
brooches, earrings and so foith-the whole OF
them clean gone"
The Sergeant, with expressions Of regret, said
he would sec the officer who had been on duty.
Mr. Baseiton pEofessed to have lost all confidence
in tile police and asserted that, il he wers to
watch, the thief would certainly bc discovered
the very first night
IT Wish you would try, them" said the ser-
geant; 81 would obtain permission to watch
With you; and if you can suggest anything
fresh, will gladly support you"
Although, whon he made this last assertion.
Mr.. Baselton probably meant nothing a1 all, yet,
after little talk With the officer, the desire Of
finding the thief, and his belief in his own su-
pcrior acuteness, Tero strong enough to make
him volunteer to Watch :; aud it WAS agreed that
the Sergeant should join him just as the palace
was closing at night, when they would be on the
lookout directly, for it WAS impossible to say ut
what tina OF the night the robbefies were COM
nitted-
Strict silence was enjoined On either side, and
observed by the Sergeant entirely, and by Mr..
Baseton pretty well, as he only mentioned his
plan to Mr. Chatenon1 ut tho French stall just
by, and to his neighbors, Mr. Hynks and Mr.
Carrables. Mr. Carrables, by the. way, Was not
there that morning; so RaseIton told Mr. Glis-
scr, Mr. Carranles' foreman. instead, who, in
bscomingly sympathizing tone, wished him sue
cess.
The evening. came, the spies met, and hung
about the passages Of the vast building until
deepest twilight, and until Baselton was pretty
nearly tired of being On his feet.
Now" said the Sersenut, unconsciouslY
dropping his voice as he spoke. - we will tate up
our quarters. II We can only get there uuper-
ceivpd, lavo arranged What think you will
.All right" returned the exhibitor, IN tie
same guarded tone; and they stole noiaelessly
on, passing once or tUice, Constable; but the
presence OF the Sergeant, Of course, prevented
any questioning. Some large boxes, left, appa-
rent1Y bY accident, 1T the angie OF stall, were
In reality, 90 placed that they formed M almost
perfecs screen and, without any reason To sup
pose that they had been noticed, they slipped in
aud snt down.
Presently tho moon rose and as it climbed
higher, aud it's light grew stronger, the Building
became visible throughout with > light which
was most uuearthlY and ghostly in its character.
This impressed itself very much upon Baselton. !
II had no ids1 Setgeant," he whispered to
the officer, ''that the place was such q strange.
cemeter,ish. sort OF spot as it is: must orn, |
should not like to be On duty here all night |
However, have brought some little rofresh- !
nenb With me, so let us make ourselves COM
fortable." In silence, thev ate aud dtauk and |
in silence, eave for the Ginning OF the clock OF |
the occasional tread OF policeman. the hours
c1ept on. The policemen passed within |
couple Of yards OF tho watchers repeatedly, but
whether they knew Of their presence @ sa2s Of not not
weariness OF the hours grew at last intolerable !
70 him, and, seeing that the Sergeant was %
cool and wide-awake US when they htst entered
their lair, he whispered. II feel terribly drowsy.
Sergeant; always do about this time. Five
minntes' nap will mako ne as freah IS daisy. |
Rouse ma up II you hear anything before that
time"
His companion smiled, and. in the same sub
dued tone, gave the promise.
presence either before OF after the expiration OF
fiye minutes. although the officer stealthilY
looked out hundred times during the night.
1t last the darkness thinned away, and then.
Sergeant shook Baselton by the shoulder.
Eyes, yes; am ready" stsmmered the ex-
hibitor. then opened his eyes very wide indeed
'sVhy, it's daylight! mus: hare slept -"
'.Yes, Of course Jou have. interrupted the
other, abut let rs 60 cut quietly. I don's mind
3ur men seeing US, OF coutse ; hnt othe1a need
1now nothing OF our watch-"
II think the less your men or anybody else |
know about the wny We kept our watch the bet
err said Mr. Baselton, as they left the counter;
. in fact, shall regard it as friendly thing il
you Say nothing about it,"
The sergeant smiled, but kept bis own coun-
el and it may be limited that Baselton was
cry liberal fellow, although somewhat hasty.
t turned out that no pilfering had taken pIacs
hat night, nor did any occur for two or three
lights after, fact which a1r. Gtisser attributed