The Russellville Democrat., 1877-03-22

But the door was locked on the in side," I said:
 The policeman shrugged his shoulders "Not much of an obstacle to this clas of citizens. When you examine tha lock tomorrow you'll find something wrong with it."
 "What's to be done ?" inquired 1T some agitation.
 Capture the fellow" returned Perrin cooly, as he examined the lock of his re volver, and carefully placed on new cap. eff can count on you two, the thing can be done at once." But Pm not used to this kind of bus mess you see," said Goodman hesita. tingly. ..,,,
 enough. The thiefs probably at this moment upstairs. All you will have to do is to take your stand at the foot oi the stairs, and shoot him if he attempts to escape by that way. Look here" he added more earnestly, "Pll not mind giving you five, or ten, or even fifteen dollars out of my own pocket, if you'll only stand by me in this matter. It's 8 thing I've been particularly wishing for and, now that I've chance, Pm bound to do it. They're accusing me of hanging back in the Ryan burglary, and, if can show 'em their mistake, and capture this fellow without calling in professional as- sistance, it will be worth to me more than the money Pll owe you"
 In moment he had arranged his plan. After going carefully over the first floor, and securing all the doors so as to prevent escape in this direc:ion-all the time ob- serving the greatest silence and caution Perrin posted Goodman at the foot of the stairs, directed me to take my posi- tion on the halfway landing, and then himself quietly ascended to the second floor, revolver in one hand and his heavy boots in the other. Both Goodman and myself were to fire at the burglar if he attempted to escape in our direction.
 As the policeman disappeared in the drakness of the upper hall, began to feel rather unpleasantlv. 1 pressed closely into the darkest corner of the landing and listened. At first all was a dead silence; but presently l distinctly heard in one of the rooms above a sound as of drawer being opened. Then there was sharp, metallic ring, and some ob- ject fell lightly to the floor. Here, then, the burglar was at work. Before l had time to recover from the creepy chill which this thought evoked, there was sudden, stifled examination-a scuffiing aud trampling Of feet--a chair over- thrown--a crash of glass, and heavy fall, on the floor. The next moment Per rin's voice was heard shouting loudly:
 "Hello, here! Saunders? Goodman Quick Pve got him down."
 I rushed up and attempted to open the door. To my surprise, it was fastened.
 "Break it in," cried Perrin, Cor get through the landing window on the roof of the porch, or he'll escape"
 I rushed to the landing. The window was too high to be easily scaled by one of my short and rather pussy stature, and I ran down into the hall, seized a chair. called to Goodman-who, how ever, made no response, having doubtless beat retreat on hearing the noise above and with difficulty and delay sue ceeded in getting through the window. wrenched opened the shutters of the room in which the struggle was going on, and throwing up the sash sprang to the floor within.
 All was pitch darkness and deep silence. Not sound, not a breath, could be heard. A cold horror came over me. The thief had murdered his captor, left him dead on the floor, and escaped.
 groped my way to the door. It was still locked-no doubt by the murderer in his flight. I threw up the front window, and yelled lustily for help.
 What 8 the matter 2" shouted voice from the street.
 "Murder!" burglars help!"
 A crowd, including two policemen, rushed in. They told me they found the front door open, though had the key, which Perrin had given me, still about me, and, breaking in the chamber door, pressed on with eager faces.
 Where's the burglaro" inquired one of the officers, looking around as the gas was lighted.
 "Where's the murdered man ?" de- manded the other, whilst precociOusly thoughtful boy pushed his way through the crowd, ushering in a physician, whom he had hastily summoned from his office, few doors of.
 There was no mangled body on the floor, no blood-stain anywhere. A broken chair, an overturned table, shattered Bohemian-glass toilet-set these alone testified to the struggle that had taken place.
 In as few words as possible I explained the case.
 r "The thief has escaped, and T : liceman is after him," I concluded. Hadn't you better join in the pursuit at once 2"
 -" We will first look around little, " said one of the officers, coolly. The search revealed some bureau drawers pried open, and several jewel. cases and two watch-stands lying emptied of their contents. Downstairs the plate had vanished from the dining-room clos cts, and the doors of my writing desk stood open, revealing the secret money drawer minus the roll of bank note, which I had an hour before deposited there.
 "How on earth could this have beer done ?" l exclaimed in tewilderment The secretary was locked when VI went upstairs after the burglar. Fl, could not have had time to do tbis worl after his escape, and with Perrin in pur suit and Goodman at the foot of th' stairs
 1 rather think sir, that your disin
 terested friends, Perrin and Goodman
 know more about this matter than vol do remarked a noliceman orimly "pl