The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-12-13

one, and with an ordinary assortment of
skeleton keys they could not fail to open
1t in moment. It was necessary, how
ever, to first ascertain whereabouts in
the station house the safe key was kept.
Agar therefore went to Folkestcne, and,
under the assumed name of Adam, took
lodgings at the Pavilion Hotel. While
there, Pierce forwarded him box con-
tanning e300 in sovereigns (advanced by
Agar for the purpose). On q Monday
he called at the station. his box appeared
on the way-bill, and one Chapman, then
in charge of the office, took the KEY
from cupboard, opened the safe, and
gave the sovereigns. to Agar.
He now had all the information be
required. He returned to London, aud
in company with Pierce went down to
Dover by a train, arriving at midday.
They walked over to Folkestone, reach
ing there before the boat came in They
walked about the harbor till she arrived,
when Chapman and his assistant left the
office for the pier. The confederates
hurried to the door-fortune favored
.them-it was not even locked. While
Pierce watched outside, Agar entered,
hurriedly took an impression of the key,
and they both left the Office before the
return of the station master. They hur-
rled over to Dover, and back to London
the same day.
Upcn their return Agar had some
blank keys made and began to file them
down to the size of the impression he
had taken. It was weary work. He
commenced ut Piercs's, but, having
made up an old quarrel with his mis-
tress, Fanny Kay, he hired house ut
Cambridge Villas, and there finished his
task. A new actor now made his ap-
pearance on the scene Burgess was
made acquainted with all that had been
done. :" 1t is good job," said he,
"and will do my best to help you"
The next step was to fit the keys to the
locks Of the bullion chest, and Agar
made s3me seven or eight trips with
Burgess in the van before he succeeded
in so doing.
year had now passed in constant
prepai alton, and in order to secure q
fitting reward for their toll and trouble,
tho confederates determined to wait
until at least twelve thousand pounds
went down the limo. The final arrange
ments We're made. Pierce and Agar
went to shot tower beyond Hungerford
suspension bridge and purchased 200
|
Cambridge Villas in eight pound and
four pound check bags. These smaller
pockets were put in four courier. bags.
IA ide or dfao lentner, which buckled
h'gh up around the body and were con-
eated by short capes. A small black
leather bag, large enough to admit q bar
| ol bullion OF the standard size, was also
provided for Tester, who was to 20 on to
Redhlll, there receive part of the gold,
and convey it to London. Everything
being in readiness for the robbery, Agar
and Pierce met nightly at London bridge
to watch for their opportunity. For
week there was no chance, but on the
the eighth day they heard from Tester
that there was u large consignment soon
to b. sent down the line, though he
could not ascertain the precise day.
Tho friends buckled on their courier
bags, took two large bags" dummies"
in each of which was smaller one
with q Quantity of hay, and, Hiring q
cab, drove in the evening to st. Thomas
street. Agar got ont and walked toward
tho station Burgess came to the door
and wiped his face. It was the pre-.
concerted signal, and he and Pierce pur-
chased their tickets and hurried to the
tram. The latter put his luggage in
chrge OF Burgess and got into first
class carriage, while Agar walked up
and down the platform till the train
started, then jumped unobserved into
ths van, where he crouched down in n
corner, and Burgess threw his apron
over him.
No sooner was the train fairly under
way than the energetic Agar commenced
operations. He opened one safe and
took out . wooden box fastened with
nails and iron bands and sealed. He
mad provided himself with pincers, box
wood wedges, sealing wax and taper.
FL" quickly pried open the box, took out
four gold bars, put one in Testers bag
and three in the carpetbaes. He then
ill d it up with shot, fastened and
sealed it. BY this time the train had
reached Redhill. Tester made his an
pearance. Burgess handed him his bag,
and he started back for London. Agar
then opened two other boxes, taking
some American coin, some large bars.
and several small ones, known as Cali
iofnians. Having secured all that he
snought no and Pierce could carry, he
niled the boxes with shot, closed and
sealed them, and returned them to the |
safes. Ihe debris was swept up, and,
when the train reached Folkestone'
Fierce and Agar buckled on their courier
bags and took the valises out of Burgess
van. The safes weretaken from the train at
Foikestone, but the confederates re.
NAMED on board till they reached
Dover, where they put up at the Dover
Oastie Hotel. They entered the coffee |
room and ordered supper. The waite,
asked them If they wanted beds. emo"
said agar, I'VE go back to London by |
the two A. N. train" He than n,sikaS