The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-02-13
A London Detectives Story.

cdDbuIts nlOlV tiibu OnCO \ HOuhSOA
down upon them in their haunts but
all vanished like magic and being un-
able to produce proofs the chief, whom
desired most to convict, fairly laughedat
me and my efforts.
This naturally gave me considerable
annoyance; and with some heat l ejac-
ulated: "You've escaped me this time,
Jim Bradley but I'm not John Spind-
Ter if you do the next.
When you catch me, hold mel'' he
grinned. How dare you malign an in
nocent man ?"
WE'LL 1t 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 an old Irish woman.
Having watched the house till | was
sure of my game, 1 went to Scotland
Yard, saw the chief, reported my news,
got some men, and on one dark, gusty
winters night made @ swoop upon
them,
Leaving the police l had brought, at
little distance, / knocked at the door.
Getting no answer, 1 stepped back and
looked up at the house.
1t was dark as pitck, save faint glim-
mer in the first floor windows. AS re-
turned felt certain l saw the blind of
the lower room move. Trusting, if l
was being inspected, that the darkness
had concealed my identity, l repeated
my summons, when, after long delay,
the door was opened by the old land
lady, bearing flaming tallow candle.
Did we knock afore ?'' she said, peer
ing feebly at me, "Sure, I'm just as
deaf as a post, yer honor, and l don't
hear bit. Who do you want ?"
"One of your respectable dodgers, Mrs.
O'Brien,' answered entering the pas
sage, and putting my foot so as to pre-
vent the door closing. Thanks, old
lady; l won't trouble you further"
Giving preconcerted whistle, my men
came rapidly forward,
"Oh, the perleese! have mercy upon
a lone widder woman Oh, good jintle-
men, what's the matter, sure ?' shrieked
the hag.
Paying no heed to these CALCULATIONS.
placed one policeman on guard, and
with the others sprung up 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.
"We have him this time!'' ! whis-
pered, exultingly, for L had caught the
sound of Jim Bradley's voice. Il 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 name'i 1 exclaimed
aloud.
"Hollo, is that you, my dear Spind-
Ter ?" cried Jim, from within. Happy
to see you, I'm sure. Remember what
said; Hold me when you catch me, ,
old boy The thing is to trap your
birdl"
/" will take good care of that, Mr..
Jim," rejoined. "Open, OF we shall
break in the door"
"Oh, place, jintlemen-dear, good
jintlemen, for the love of the saints,
don't make a noise. cThere's a poor
sowl jist partin' this life up stairs, an
his dear young widdy's most distract
ed Sorra one of ye jintlemen hev
any pity. Don't terrify the colleen, nor
the partin' sowl, who, sure has troubles
enough
Silence, you old crone ~ exclaimed
'and fetch light, or I'll have you ar
rested as an accomplice."
With regular howl of disappoint-
ment, she hobbled away, declaring she'd
do anything for us, imploring pity for a
poor lone woman and compassion for
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.
had prepared for the light to be ex-
tinguished and a rush made.
was disappointed, Jim sat compos-
edly at the table, with another man,
playing cards.
Hollo! you don't stand on cere-
mony, John, my friend,'' he remarked,
laughing; 81 thought every man 3
house was his castle"
So it is, Jim, until he makes it a
shield for law breaking, y answered.
q Prove Vour words. nv man.,