Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-04-20

not on duty tonight, you see-when
| met this gentleman here, Mr.. -"
observation-disclosures Goodman Bel
wins furniture factory" said the man IN
the great coat, speaking for the first
time.
"Ah! Ho stopped me, and said he
had just seen something suspicious--a
man standing in the portico of the next
house here, leaning over and stealthily
looking in at lighted window--this
window, you soe."
whats to be DONE" inquired, in
some agitation.
Capture the fellow" returned Perrin
coolly, as be examined the lock of his
revolver, and carefully placed on it a
new cap. eff can count on you two,
the thing can be done at once"
''But I'm not used to this kind of
business, you see, said Goodman, hesi-
tatingly.
Your part, my friend, will be easy.
The thief's probably at this moment up
stairs. All you have to do is to take your
stand at the foot of 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, ten or
fifteen dollars out of my own pocket, if
you will only stand by me in this matter.
It's a thing I've been particularly wishing
for, and now that Two tho chance, I'm
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 assistance, it will be worth
to me more than the money I'll owe
you"
As the policeman disappeared in the
darkness of the upper hall, l began to
feel rather unplcasantly.
The next moment PERKINS, voice was
heard shouting loudly:
"Hello here! Saunders Goodman
Quick I've got him down."
rushed up and tried to open the door.
To my surprise it was fastened.
Break it in" cried Perrin, "or get
through the landing-wiudow on the roof
Oh the porch, OF nc II escape.
All was pitch darkness and deep 81
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.
CROPPED my way back to the door
1t was still locked-no doubt by the
murderer in bis fight. I threw up the
front window aud yelled Justify for help.
What's the matter 2" shouted voice
from the street
Murder Burglars Help p
A crowd, including two policemen,
rushed in. They said 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 in with eager faces
1.-THE thief has escaped and the po-
licoman is after him." | told them. -
Hadn't you better join in pursuit at
once 2"
owe will first look round Ii.tle,"
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 Down stairs 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 notes that
| had an hour ago placed there with care.
How on earth could this have been
done p exclaimed in bcwildermcnt.-
"The secretary was locked when we went
up stairs after The burglar. lie could
not have had time to do this work after
his escape, and with Perrin in pursuit
and Goodman at the foot Of the stairs"
81 rather think, sir, that your disin-
tcrested friends, Perrin and Goodman.
know more Of this matter than you do"
replied policeman grizzly: 1'll go
and look 'em up now, and no doubt they
will be promoted for this nights work
to State prison"
Slowly the light began to dawn upon
my dOzed mind. looked around, saw
a grin bordering on the faces Of all pres
ent, and heard a murmur in which | could
distinguish only the appalling monosylla-
ble-"Sold y
One month thereafter I had the pleas
ure Of identifying my friends, Goodman
and the pretended policeman Perrin of
the Third District" as they were led
from the prisoners box, adorned with
iron bracelets, and each to serve second
term in the State prison. Goodman nod
ded patronizinly at me. while his com
panion looked me full in the face, smiled
very suavely. and-winked.
| may add that the plate, the jewels and
most of the money, were recovered, but
have since been very careful TO close
Lhe window-shutters and curtains at night.
SOMETHING ABOUT SHEEP. The aver
age annual profit on capital invested in