The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-05-28
IN DEADLY PERIL.
An English Detectives Adventure.

An English Detectives Adventure.
One of my journeys called me away to
a town in Suffolk, where I was ordered to
take charge of a prisoner to be discharged
the next day from one of the local jails,
In which he had been undergoing years
imprisonment for a criminal assault. The
man had been let out on a ticket-of-leave
from the Defence hulk at Woolwlch, and
had speedily, as it appeared, got into
trouble down in the country. AS he was
merely ''wanted' to complete his origi-
nal sentence-having broken his ticket-of
leave-there could be no bother about APP
pretending him inside the prison, and
using such precautions for his safe keep
ing as seemed best to my judgment.
Just as l was about to leave the Office
in Bow Street, one of my comrades, with
whom I was rather intimate, came in,
having finished journey such as was
myself about to set off on.
''Going out, Tome" he asked; and on
my telling him where was bound for, he
continued, Better have this 'barker,'
Tom. You may find it useful
At the same time he produced a small
pocket-pistol, which he held out for my
acceptance.
II have not got any powder, The added,
''but here are some caps and bullets"
It seems needless to remark that this
was before the days of revolvers. and pat
ent cartridges. We had then to load in
the old fashion, and had merely got as
far as the introduction Of the percussion
cap. l had never before carried any
thing m,re deadly by way of protection
than a life preserver, but as my friend
seemed to mean kindness, l made no
ado about accepting his offer, and having
'capped" the pistol there and then, I
consigned it to the side-pockct of pilot
coat which I wore buttoned over my uni
form.
My journey down to Suffolk calls for
no particular notice.
In due time the railroad deposited me
at my destination, and left me with
ample leisure to call upon the governor
of the prison over night with view to
arranging for my carrying off my charge
the next morning. I asked what kind of
a customer! would have to deal with,
and must confess did not feel much en-
couraged by the reply.
''He is what call a nasty customer"
was the answer. "He has given US deal
of trouble while we have had charge OF
him, continually breaking prison rules,
and more than once he has tried to COM
nit suicide in the most determined man
ner by tearing open the veins in his arms
with his tinger-nails.''
This account of matters was not. as
may we'll be supposed, at all enlivening
and when the governor added that the
man was a perfect giant, and had been a
''navy" before he fell into evil courses, /
began to fear that my work was cut out for
me. However, there was no help for it
We Bow Street runners had as tickle GUS
tomels to deal with as any of your mod
ern detectives. All could do was to ask
that the prisoner should be detained I'm.
til got over in the morning. told thu
governor where had put up, but he die
not seem disposed to offer me his com
pany for an hour or two in the evening
and to me he hardly appeared the sort o
a man could ask in an off-hand way tt
take friendly glass: so my arrangement
being thus far completed, I there anc
then left him.
The inn where I had taken up m,
quarters stood rig ht opposite the Jail en-
trance, and as the street was somewhat O
the narrowest, the most complete view O.
all corners and goers could be comm and
ed from the front of my temporary resi-
dence. G'.-i.'.
AS my landlady knew the Grand I hat
come on, and had most becoming re
spect for the representative of the law
she kindly accommodated me with he
own private parlor as a sitting room, anc
r,1ooconf i,, II,
company of the intelligent daughter O
the house, business leaving her mothe
but little time to bestow Upon me. Next
morning found me seated at very com
Portable breakfast, and the weather being
fine, the window Of the private parlor wa
left open, affording a perfect view Of al
that might take place at the prison doc
opposite. While I was absorbed in tn,
good cheer before me, I was startled by a,
exclamation from both the landlady ant
her daughter, which caused me to lool
up and instinctively to glance across tn
street.
'|Did you ever see such big. coars
and clumsy looking woman?'.' exclaime,
the younger Of my entertainers.
"Or is it a woman at all?' added tn
mother. I.
My attention was at once rivited upol
the new-commer, whom could not avoi,
connecting with the criminal it woul'
soon be my duty to apprehend. Withou
saying word to the two ladies, I care
fully and closely watched every movemen
of the party opposite during the remain
der of my morning meal. More than ono
caught myself mentally repeating m!
landlady's query: *%34 * lt'#f&
els it woman, after all?''
The 1t must be excused, as the poin
was so entirely doubtful. For woman
the individual was very considerable,
above the average height, and her who'll
physique indicated far more than tn
average strength of womankind. It'll
There WAS a sWagger in her walk too