The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-08-30

But the man-the thief-who was be9
l knew at glance that long, lean form.
1t was Bennett. We both shrank back.
Take off your boots, sir" he said in
whisper. L noticed that his own feet
were shoeless. "Creep round the
counter, and wait till I give the word
then over and help me-"
l nodded assent; and then / saw Lance
crawl out upon his hands and knees into
the office behind the shelter of long
high desk, at the end of which he would
be within a few feet of Bennett. crept
away to the other entrance of the man
ayers room, which led into large space
appropriated to the public, and gliding
nolselessly along arrived where / knew
| must be opposite the thief at his work.
Cllck, click went the chisel against the
brass lock. 1t was apparently work of
time and difficulty, though the sound of
crushing woodwork betokened the near
accomplishment of the deed How long
the time seemedl Had Lance been able
to get close to him undiscovered?
judged so, as the chisel still continued
its grating work. Sometimes it stopped
for moment, and then | knew that the
man was watching the managers room,
TO see that was safe under the inhu-
ence OF the narcotic administered in my
pint of stout. Click, click, crunch and
the whole lock appeared to come away,
the drawer being at the same time drawn
softly open.
Now" thought /, "here goes"
Not yeti | could hear the mellow
chink of the small bags of gold as they
were hurriedly transferred to the mans
pockets; then the stiff rustic of many
sheets of stamps told of like destina-
ton. | listened breathlessly. Suddenly
there was yell of mingled fright and
rage, and, vaulting at one bound across
the counter, | saw Bennett falling back
ward, his throat clutched by the prac-
tlsed hand of the ex-poHceman, who
held on with a will, having sprung upon
him silently from behind. The half
strangled man struggled like a fend,
dealing me several ugly kicks with his
long legs, as / attacked him from the
front. But the oddswere too many, and
furthermore he had been taken by sur
prise. In few moments he was over
powered, and his hands and feet were
securely fastened. Not a word had been
uttered since the commencement of the
conflict, but now Lance looked up and
said, in stern voice:
Got the scoundrel at last-next
things a policeman. Will you go, sir,
or shall l?''
Here there was fierce attempt to free
himself by the PROSTATE thief.
"Perhaps I'd better stop with him."
continued Lance; "you'll get a consta-
BILE in minute at the station in Old
Jury"
Selling my hat / was off in twink
ling and returned in double-quick time
to the bank, accompanied by stalwart
member of the city police. A few mo-
ments saw the policeman, myself and
our chopfallen prisoner marching quietly
to the station, where | made the charge
and left him to the solitude of cell till
Monday morning. On my return to the
bank the night Waterman had arrived
and | prepared to 60 home.
"Why, Lance, you must have suspect
ed the beggar before this?' | exclaimed.
GIVE thought it sometimes, SIR" he
laughed. "Knew / should cop him
some day" Then with frown, Mean,
sneaking scamp! l believe he meant to
put it on the Waterman here"
well, ALPS well that ends well, Lance,
and it was clever catch of yours. We
have nice story for Mr.. Spoforth to-
morrow. Goodnight"
Goodnight, sir"
When | walked into the bank next
morning, l found the story was already
known. Little knots of men were eager
ly discussing the event, and l as well as
Lance soon became the centre of an ami
mated crowd. At eleven o'clock | was
summoned to the board room, to the
committee of directors, who compli-
mented me upon the capture, as if l,
and not Lance, had been the hero of the
day. In the morning newspapers there
was a graphic account of the "Great
Bank Robbery" concocted by some
ubiquitous penny-a-liner, which my
wife read and reread with mingled
pleasure and alarm. Bennett was event
ually sentenced to Is months imprison-
ment, which we all considered far too
lenient judgment. The ex-policeman
came in for the head messengers berth,
with house rent free, and present of
so pounds. In addition to much un.
merited praise, l received bonus of
100 pounds, which, as my domestic circle
was shortly to be increased, contributed
in no small degree to the satisfaction of
the household at Wood English
M10dziue