The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-11-30
CONTINUED FROM FIRST rAoK.l

figures and read, /" United States bonds,
10000" and other memoranda, indicating
that it had been loose wrapper for valua-
BILE papers.
Then knew that the advertisement bore
an important relation to the robbery.
Aud until the day upon which the
story opens was unable to make head or
: tail of the secret enigma.
so wearied was that fell asleep with
my head upon my desk, and | did not
awaken until noon time. 1t is wonderful
how brief repose will clear the mind.
took mp the paper with renewed energy,
aud a bright idea flashed over me.
Simple as it was, | had not thought OF it
before. The entire message was written
on the substitution of letters, based on the
reversal of the alphabet. Instead of a, z,
the last letter, was substituted; instead Of
b, was used; the alphabet reversed was
the key to the solution of the puzzle.
gave utterance to a shout of JOY, for
following out the theory, it read:
Larry, meet me Saturday night at 127
Fire street. NED"
And Ned or Edward, was the name
of Dayton's footman. | began to see a
vsry large mice. But Fire street-there
was no such thoroughfare in the city, and
! was fioored again.
Gradually. the thought occurred to me
ON the basis of reversal and opposites
adopted by the sender Of the message, why
should not L" fire mean water" its
direct reverse?
l dashed down the stairs and hailing a
cab for did not forget that it was Satur
day, and that evening was the appointed
time for meeting of the two burglars, il
such they were soon had reached Water
street.
Vacant. Number 121 was an empty lot.
paused disappointed, and dismissed
the vehicle again having recourse to the
puzzling enigma. So near the solution and
yet doomed to be baked at the last, and
sudden inspiration Of renewed energy
and had forged the last link in the chain
of evidence? There had been reversal in
the order OF numbers from one to ten, as
in the letters Of the alphabet, and 1877
meant 1854.
looked at my watch-thres O'Clock. |
went to the nearest local telegraph office
and sent the following dispatch TO the Chief
of Police:
"Seud to this office three efficient men in
citizens Clothes"
signed my name. lit cigar, and await.
ed the arrival of evening and my compan-
ion officers.
1t was dark when we reached the place
for meeting appointed by the two men. 1t
was vile groggery, kept by woman, aud
4 resort for the very lowest class of ruffians.
l had put o. felt hat. and pair of false
whiskers, and | entered the bar room,
having first placed my men in advantageous
positions on the outside.
Within half an hour there entered an
old woman, vsiled. bearing some bulky
object under her cloak. She made 4 sign
to the woman behind the bar aud went into
the next room. / caught sight of her feet
IS she passed through the door; Icy
were encassd -. al SHOES, 5.s in men $
boots. | went quickly to the bar and
made a sign to the woman.
''ls Larry in there" | inquired in a
loud voice, pointing to the other apartment.
She looked at me sharply, and then re-
piled in the affirmative.
Keep everybody that comes OUT"
said, Significantly. We are going to
divide the swag.'
And opened the door.
There was no one in the first room, bu,
IN the second, by a table, on which lay a
large TIN box, was my ame-Larry, the
burglar, and tall. spare form in female
attire, with veil thrown back and terrified
face, and the footman Edward.
"You can drop that little dodge,
gentlemen. said, quietly whipping out a
brace of revolvers. THE house is sur.
rounded and any resistance will only make
it worse for you. Larry, open the door
lie unbolted the rear door under the
silent, persuasive eloquence OF my revolver,
aud the three officers entered.
Need | tell the rest Edward, the foot
man, had admitted his accomplicc into the
house, and had chioroformed his employer.
lie had kept the booty hidden in hiss room,
not daring to go gu, to communicate with
his pal, except as lie has been seen, for fear
he was watched.
The property had not been disturbed,
but justice was cheated, for both the men
escaped before COW lotion, aud were never
heard of again. As for me, ! quietly
handed $1,000 tn the department. resigned,
engaged in business and married Edna