The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-10-28

Blood finally proposed her marriage
with q pretended nephew OF his, VINO,
he represented, was very plons youth,
with n fortune of three hundred POUNDS
a wear. The proposition was favoraDly
considered. and an Introduction OF the
parties was arranged for the 9TH OF May.
The day before the time appointed,
Blood came. and requested that the IN
PRODUCTION might take place at seven
o'clock in the morning-an hour "nei,
few people are stirring-and requested
permission 10 bring two friends WIN
him to see the regalia, making the eX-
cuse that they were compelled to leave
town at an early hour. Mr.. Edwards
was but too willing to serve his friend,
and the arrangement was made.
The next morning the keeper was mp
early to receive his guests, and the
daughter was dressed III her best AZURE
to receive her intended husband.
Principally to the minute, Blood came
with his two friends and the young man
supposed to be his nephew. They all
carried. concealed under their cloaks,
rapier-blade, dirk, and par OF pistols.
Pretending that his friends were anX-
ions to see the Jewels at once, that they
might he at liberty to go, they were at
once shown to the little room where the
crown was kept, Edwards carefully
closing the door after him, as was his
usual custom. The nephew had been
left Mt the entrance to watch and give
the alarm if there was danger.
No sooner had the door closed upon
them than the villains threw Off their
DISCUSSES, seized the old man, and bound
and gagged him, threatening his instant
death if he gave the slightest alarm.
The old man was not inundated, and
bawled out at the top of his voice, when
they knocked him down and beat him
until they supposed him dead. He was
not unconscious, however, and, hearing
them say that he was apparently dead,
he resolved not to undeceive them, and
remained quiet.
Blood and his two companions then
went deliberately at work to secure the
coveted treasures The glass case in
which they were kept was broken by
single blow with mallet, and Blood
seized the crown and concealed it I'M
der his cloak. A man named PARROT,
one of his accomplices, put the orb and
other Jewels in his pocket, while the
other proceeded to file the sceptre in
two, so that he could put it in a small
bag he carried under his cloak
1t is probable that the bold scheme
would have been perfect success but
for the merest accident. A son of Mr..
| Edwards, vino had been residing for
some years in Flanders, happened to ar
rive in London that morning, and inn
mediately hastened to the house of his
father. He was accompanied by a
brother-n-law, Captain Beckman, of
the British army. They passed by
Blood's sentinel at the outer door, and
proc aedcd at once to the keepers room.
As soon as they were out OF sight. the
sentinel fastened to inform Blood and
his accomplices Of their danger The
scep. e had not yet been filed apart; so,
leaving it, they took the crown, orb and
small Jewels. and made a hasty depart
re. No sooner were they gone than
the elder Edwards raised himself from
thc pool of blood in which he had been
living. and shouted, Treason! muir
ier,' with all his strength. His cries
alarmed his daughter, who rushed into
the room. when she saw the broken case,
and cried out. "The crown is stolen!'
and ran to inform her brother and Cap
tain Beckman who burst into the room;
a then dashed off in pursuit.
The robbers made their exit without
molestation, and, pushing across the
narrow ward. reached the drawbridge
without hindrance Here stood sleepy
sentinel. who. partially reused by the
confusion in the Tower. attempted to
stop the flight of the fugitives. Blood
discharged his pistol at his head, and,
though unhur., he fell PROSTATE, and
the robbers passed over him, cleared
the outer gates. and had nearly entered
the palk. where horses had been pro-
yidcd for them. In the meantime their
pur,,,ers were closing upon them; and,
lust as they cleared the outer gate, Cap
tain Hickman came upon Blood. The
desperate man fired his remaining pis-
toll ut him. but missed his aim. The
two then grappled, and desperate
s,rugglc cnsued At last the Captain
succeeded in overcoming his antagonist,
and the crown was wrenched from his
grasp. As the daring man say his hopes
thus dashed. he quietly surrendered,
remarkinG:
1T was Il gallant attempt, however
unsuccessful 1t was IL struggle for n
crown.
In the conflict some of the richest
Jewels in the crown were broken off, or
tell ont: but most of them were suisse
uuently found, and restored
PARROT and the other accomplices,
who had the orb and other rich jewels,