The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-03-16
ALoNpoN DETECTIVE.

track OF gang ol cOlnerb, WnlCn, III my
professional pride, l had vowed to
capture, More than once l bounced
down upon them in their haunts; but all
| vanished like magic; and being unable
| to produce proofs, the chief, whom L de-
sired to convict, fairly laughed at me
and my efforts.
This naturally gave me considerable
annoyance; and with some heat ejacu-
lated: "Y0u have escaped mo this time,
Jim Bradley; but Pm not John Spindler
il you do the next"
"When you catch me, holdW he
grinned. elbow dare you malign an ill.,
nocent manw
Well, it was nearly nine months before
1 again ran down Jim and his gang;
then l detected them in low, wretched
street. The house they used was kept
| by an old Irish woman.
Having watched the house till 1 was
sure of my game, l went to Scotland
Yard, saw the chief, reported my news,
got some men, and one dark, gusty
winters night made a swoop upon
them.
Leaving the police I had brought at a
little distance, L knocked at the door.
Getting no answer L stepped back and
looked up at the house.
1t was dark as pitch, save a faint
glimmer in the first floor windows. AS L
returned L felt certain l saw the blind
of the lower room move. Trusting, II L
was being inspected, that the darkness
had concealed my identity, repeated
my summons, when, alter a long delay,
the door was opened by the old land
lady, bearing flaming talloW candle.
"Did ye knock aLorep" she said, peer
ing feebly at me. "Sure, I'm just as
deaf as post, yer honor, and don't
hear bit. Who do you wantw
"0ne of your respectable dodgers,
Mrs. O'Brien," I answered, entering
| the passage, and putting my foot SO as
to prevent the door closing. "Thanks,
old lady; l won't trouble you further"
Giving preconcerteu whistle, my men
came rapidly forward.
"Oh, the peerlessl oh, holy St.
Patrickl have mercy upon lone widder
woman! Oh, good jtntlemen, what's the
matter, sure" shrieked the hag.
Paying no heed to these calculations,
l placed one policeman on guard, and
with the others sprung up stairs.
Reaching the landing, L found all
dark, save faint glimmer which issued
under the door in front OF us. l tried the
handle. 1t was locked.
"We have him this timep whispered,
exultingly, for l had caught the sound
of Jim Bradley's voice. II have ex-
amined the house well, and there is no
means Of egress either by the roof or the
windows. Tney are trapped. Open
in the queens nameW l exclaimed
aloud.
sHollo, is that you, my dear Spindleri"
| cried Jim, from W thin. "Happy to see
YOU, Pm sure. Remember what 1 said
| Hold me when you catch me,' old boy
The thing is to catch your birdW
Il will take care OF that, Mr.. Jim," I
rejoined. "Open, or We shall break in
the doorW
"Oh, place, jintlemen-dear, good jim.
tlemen, for the love OF the SAINTS, don't
make noise. There's a poor soul jist
partin' this life upstairs, and his poor
young widdy's Almost distracted. Sorra
one OF ye jintlemen hey auy pity.
Don't terrify the colleen, nor the partln'
| sowl, who. sure, has troubles enough"
| "Silence, you old croneV exclaimed,
sand fetch q light, or Pll have you ar.
rested as an accomplceV
| With a regular howl OF disappoint.
ment, she hObbled away, declaring she
would do anything for US, imporing pi ty
for poor lone woman and compassion
tor the partin' soWl 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 mOlds, We put our shoulders against
the door and drove the lock from the
box.
l had prepared for the light to be ex
tinguished and rush made.
l was disappointed. Jim sat compos.
edly at the table with another man
playing cards.
"Hallo! you don't stand on ceremony
John, my iriend," he remarked, laugh
ing; 81 thought every mans house was
his castle"
$50, it is, Jim, until he makes it {
shield for law-breaking," l answered.
"ProVe your words, my man."
81 intend to, l hope; so you will con
slider yourself my prisoner, while
search"
"PIease yourself, and take the conse
quences," he replied, and carelesslJ
went on with the game.
Putting my men on guard, / begun t,
examine the apartments.
L sounded the walls, groped up th
chimneys, tried the flooring.
No, not sign; while Jim, Bradley
utter indifference. own, perplexed me
"Done again" L multered, when
: heard heavy step in the room above,
"Whars that, up stairs I" l asked. y
"You should know by this time" an
swered Jim. 81 can only say that con
founded Irish hag is always screechin
as chaps dying, which ain't mucI
!, concern of mine, as long as he keep
, hisself to hisself, and WON'T groan to
loud. Ugh, low, game, without even th
Jack, Phil" he added, to his companion
putting down his carus.
The sick mans a ruse, perhaps
, thought L.
!. "Uome lads" 1 said, aloud; "we'll g
up"
Regardless of the old woman's entreat
> les not to disturb ''the poor dyin' sowl, :,
we mounted.
! The back attic was as bare as bal,
! could be. When | was about to ente
+ the other, the door opened, and grave
+ looking, respectfully dressed mai
, crossed the threshold.
"Hushl' he said, in low tone. "Ma
! ask the meaning of this disturbance
. 1t is most unseemingly out of place
rhe poor fellow in there has but le,
=, moments to live. His unfortunate. youn
= | wife is distractedw
! looked keenly at him.
"lfit isn't an impertinent question
sir" asked, "pray who may you be ?
1 1 ha