, 1877-06-22
The Confession of London Detective

The Confession of London Detective,
For a long time 1 had been on the
track of gang of coiners, which in my
professional pride had vowed to cap.
ture. More than once l had pounceC
down upon them in their haunts; but al
vanished like magic, and being unable tC
produce proofs, the chief, whom l desired
to convict, fairly laughed at me and my
efforts.
This naturally gave me considerable
annoyance, and with sOmo heat ejacu-
lated: "You have escaped me this time,
Jim Bradley, but I'm not John Spindler
if you do the next.n
"When you catch me, hold me-" he
grinned. allow dare you malign an in
nocent mani"
Well, it was nearly nine months before
again ran down Jim and his gang; then
detected them in low, ,wretched street.
The house they used was kept by 40 old
Irish woman.
Having watched the house until was
sure of my game, went to Scotland
Yard, saw the chief, reported my news,
got some men, and on dark, gusty win
ter's night made swoop upon them.
Leaving the police had brought at q
little distance, / knocked at the door.
Getting no answer, 1 stepped back and
looked up at the house.
It was dark as pitch, save faint glim-
mer in the first floor windows. As re-
turned I felt certain saw the blind of
the lower room move. Trusting, if l was
being inspected, that the darkness had
concealed my identity, repeated my sum-
mons, when, after long delay, the door
was opened by the old landlady, bearing
flaming tallow candle.
"Did ye knock afore9" she said, peer
ing feebly at me. "Sure, I'm just as deaf
IS post, yer honor, and ] don't hear a
bit. Who do you wantl"
"0ne of your respectable dodgers, Mrs.
OiBrien, y l answered, entering the pas
sage aud putting my foot so as to prevent
the door closing. aThanks, old lady;
won't trouble you further-n
Giving preconcerted whistle, my men
came rapidly forward.
aOh, the perleesei oh, holy st. Patrickl
have mercy upon lone widder womanl
Oh, good jintlemen, what's the matter,
sureip shrieked the hag.
Paying no heed to these calculations, I
placed one policeman on guard and with
the others sprang up the stairs.
Reaching the landing found all dark,
save faint glimmer which issued from
under the door in front of Us. l tried the
handle. 1t was locked.
aWe have him this timel" whispered,
exultingly, for / had caught the sound of
Jim Bradley's voice. 81 have examined
the house well, and there is no means of
egress either by the roof or the windows.
They are trapped. Open in the queens
nameP exclaimed aloud.
aHoIlo, is that you, my dear spindlerg'
cried Jim from within. "Happy to see
you, Pm sure. Remember what / said /:
Hold me when you catch me- old boy |
The thing is to trap your birdl'
II will take care of that Mr.. Jim,"
rejoined. "Open or we will break in the
d0orp'
@0h, plaze, jintlemen-dear, good jim
tlemen, for the love of the saints don't
make noise. There's a poor soul
just partin' this life up stairs, and his
poor young Widdy's Almost distractedi
Sorra one of ye jintlemen hev any pity.
Don't terrify the colleen, nor the partin'
soul, who, sure, has troubles enough"
"Silence, you old cronei n l exclaimed,
sand fetch a light, or I'll have you ar
rested as an accomplice.n
With irregular howl of disappointment,
she hobbled away, declaring she'd do
anything for Us, imploring pity for a
poor, lone woman, and compassion for
the partin' soul up stairs.
We didn't wait for her return. Aware
no one could pass US on the stairs, and
believing Jim might be trying to destroy
the moulds, we put our shoulders against
the door and drove the lock from the box.
l had prepared for the light to be extin-
guished and a rush made.
was disappointed. Jim sat COM
posedly at the table, with another man,
playing cards.
"Hollol you don't stand on ceremony,
John, my friend" he remarked, laugh.
ing;" thought every mans house was his
castle.n
$50 tits, Jim, until he makes it shield
for law breaking" / answered.
prove your words, my man."
Il intend to, l hope; so you will con-
slider yourself my prisoner, while ]
"Please yourself and take the conse-
quences," he replied, and carelessly wen
on with his game.