The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-06-12


passed from my possession to that of the
bearer of the pistol, whose companion,
though merely a looker-on, was ready,
doubtless, to offer aid in case of need.
The robbery completed, the two men
rode off, leaving me to 90 my way in
peace.
At Il late hour | found Mr.. Leather
wood at his house and told him the whole
story.
) He made me no reply, but rang FOR a
servant.
SEQ call lae the first policeman you
meet he said. when the servant en-
tered.
By few searching questions ne drew
out what few minor facts l had before
omitted, by which time the servant had
returned with an officer
l supposed the object was to put the
authorities on the criminals track with
out delay. Judge of my surprise, there
fore, at what followed
II give this young man in charge,
said Mr.. Leatherwood. He pretends
to have been robbed of i considerable
sum intrusted to him but the circum-
stances are too suspicious to pass with
out investigation.
Surely" ! faltered, you do not
suspect
Il certainly do. was the curt reply.
These pretended robberies are an old
dodge. And this one doesn't appear to
have been very adroitly planned. For
instance, how could anyone have known
you had the money about you%
The policeman took my arm, wher
Mr.. Leatherwood resumed
~ would not have sent him to prison
till after the examination tomorrow.
Keep him safely till then, and l will
see to the expense.
Thus, though held i'll close custody, l
was spared, for the present. the degra
dation of confinement in the common
jail.
l will not proiong this story by a re-
cital of my feelings till the following
afternoon, when I was brought before q
magistrate.
Mr.. Mustell, who had been sent for,
was the first witness called His testi.
mony was full and circumstantial, and
true-every word of it.
"Call MIR. Mcclure" said the States
attorney.
l started at the name SO did Mr..
Mustell, even more than myself. But
imagine my amazement when from an
adjoining room, the identical person ap-
peared who had looked on at the rob-
berry
"Be sworn, Mr Mcclure" said the
attorney.
l could restrain myself no longer
Was my liberty to be sworn away by
the very wretches of whom | was the
victim?
"That man." l exclaimed, els one of
the villains who did the deed"
"Silencel" shouted the tipstaff.
The witness, with perfect GOODNESS as
well as accuracy, narrated every fact as
it occurred. | was astounded to see a
man thus criminate himself. But few
more questions served TO clear the mat
ter up.
"What is your occupation, Mr.. Nc
Lure /"
THAT of detective.
''Do you know one SharkerF
Il do. I arrested him last night"
What is he by profession 2"
" A counterfeiter.
Have you the money taken from
Mr. DarrellY
Yes; here it is. :"
The rcll of bills ! had lost was pro
duced, every one of which proved spu-
rious
Here was another surprise, but Nc
Lure was ready with the explanation.
Mustell belonged to the same band that
Sharker did Mcclure wound himself
into the latters confidence, and through
hun secured an introduction to Mustell
the day called to collect the note-at
which time the scheme was laid to pay
the false bills to me, and rob me of
them afterward to avoid discovery, an
enterprise in which the detective, for
reasons of his own, consented to bear
Sharker company.
The result was that Mustell and his
friend entered the public service, while