The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-04-13

L
particularly wishing for; and, now tha
I've the chance, I'm bound to do i
They're accusing me of hanging back il
the Ryan burglary, and, if can show 'en
their mistake, and capture this fello,
without calling in professional assistance
it will be worth to me more than tn
money I'll owe you.
In moment he had arranged his plan
After going carefully over the first flool
and securing all the doors so as to pre-
vent escape in this direction-all tn
time Observing the greatest silence an,
caution-Perrin posted Goodman at tn
foot of the stairs, directed me to take N,
position at the half way landing. ant
then himself quietly assembled to the sec
ond floor, revolver in one hand and hi
heavy boots in the other. Both Good
man and myself were to fire at the burg
lar if he attempted to escape in our di
rectiOn.
As the policeman disappeared in tht
darkness Of the upper hall. l began t.
feel rather unpleasant. Ipressed close
ly into the darkest corner of the landing
and listened. At first all was dead 81
lence; but presently distinctly heard il
one of the rooms above sound as of {
drawer being opened. Then there wa
sharp, metallic ring, and some objec
Jell lightly to the floor. Here then, the
burglar was at work. Before / had TINT
to recover from the creepy chill which
this thought evoked, there was a sudder
stihed exclamatiOn-a scuffiing anC
trampling of feet-a chair overthrown-
a crash of glass, and a heavy fall, on the
floor. The next moment Perrinis voice
was heard shouting loudly:
"Hello, here, Saunders, Goodman
Quick I've got him down"
L rushed up and attempted to open
the door. To my surprise it was fas
tened.
Break it in.' cried Perrin, "or get
through the landing window on to the
roof of the porch, or he'll escape"
Irushed to the landing. The window
was too high to be easily scaled by one Of
my short and rather pussy stature, and
ran down into the hall, seized a chair
called to GoOdman-who, however, made
no response, having doubtless beat re
treat on hearing the noise above-and
with difficulty and delay succeeded in
getting through the window. ] wrench
ed open 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 ST.
lence. 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 nv way to the door. II was
still locked-nodoubt by ihe murderer III
his flight. | threw up the front window
and yelled Justify for help.
What's the NATTER shouted voice
from the street.
Murder. burglars, help
4 crowd, including two policemen
rushed in. They told me they found the
front door open, though 1 had the key.
which Perrin had given me, still abou,
me. and breaking in the chamber door
pressed in with eager faces.
Where's the BURGLAR inquired one
of the officers, looking around as the gas
was lighted.
There was no mangled body upon the
floor, no bloodstains anywhere. A bro
ken chair, an overturned table, a shatter-
ed Bohemian glass toilet sst-these alone
testified TO the struggle that had taken
place.
In as few words as possible explained
the case.
The thief Fad escaped, and the police
man is after him." concluded. Hadn't
you better join in the pursuit al nnce?-
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 empt-
led of their contents. Down stairs the
plate had vanished from the dining
room closets, and the doors Of nv writ.
ing desk stood open revealing the secre,
money drawer minus the bank notes
which ] had an hour ago deposited
there.
How ON earth could this have been
done," | exclaimed in bewilderment
The secretary was locked when we
went up stairs after the burglar. He
could not have had time to do this work
after his escape. and with Perrin in pur-
suit and Goodman at the foot of the
stairs.
Il rather !hink. sir, that Your disinter-
es.ed friends, Perrin and Goodman
know more about this matter than you
do" remarked policeman. grinily, Ill
go and lock EN- up now, and no doubt
they will be promoted for this night.
work-to the States prison.
Slowly the light began to dawn upon
my dazed and bewildered mind. Hook.
ed around. saw grin broadening on
the faces of all presentand heard a muir.
mur in which | could distinguish only
the appalling monosyllable @Sld'-
One month thereafter had the pleas.
ure of identifying my friends, Good.
man. the soi-disant Policeman Perrin oi
the Third district as they were led
from the prisoners box adorned with iron
bracelets, each 10 serve a second term
in the State Prison Goodman nodded
patronizingly at me while his companion
looked me full in the face, smiled suavely
and-winked.
may add that the plate and jewels
with most of the money, were recovered
but have since been very particular in
always closing the window shutters and
curtains at night