Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-05-18
therefore, he would be at his fathers
house next day and make purchase.

noon he set off, and in less than an hour he
came back with tolerable sized parcel.
Giving me signal as he passed Inc, ]
joined him in the back yard. He said L:
I'm on the tract OF the thieves, | be-
lieve. Last night but one, or reaching
the house, and while looking over the
museum, the old man said that his son
was rather short Of money, but having
exchanged frame of moths aud few
birds for a lot Of provisions, if | would
buy some of the latter | might sell them
at profit, or they would keep me in eat
ables for while. and the sale would re-
lieve his son. agreed to buy, if could
raise the money. Now, am not with
out cash, but it would not have done to
say so; hence agreed to ask You for a
loan. Well, | have got lot Of things
to-day, dirt cheap, which really believe
belong to one Of the late robberiss. |
go hence tomorrow on the sly, but on
Monday you may look for my return"
Giving me playful dig in the side, he
left me- His absence during the night
and day after surprised the landlord, but
| said nothing.
was all impatient till Monday came.
1t came at last. Twas busy at my cary
ing when | heard well-known voice
hail me from below. On looking down
from my stage, whom should I.see in the
road beneath, smiling all the face over,
but my old friend, the gardener, in po-
liceman's uniform! The truth flashed
through me in moment. | went down.
Grasping my hand, he said;
"The secrets out, you see. Come
along with me and see the upshot."
was about to witness denoument |
had not looked for. Up the road were a.
couple of policeman. Ny old companion
was the chief, being Sergeant Of Police.
He lead the way to the museum, and was
the first to enter.
"Good morning, my old friend" he
said, on encountering the naturalist; 1--WE
come to take away few more parcels OF
your cheap provisions.
| saw that the old gardener was de-
tected in the speaker, and that the game
was seen to be up. The old mans son
rushed 10 the door and scrambled of, only,
however, to fall into the clutches OF one OF
the officers who were on the watch. The
old man was utterly helpless and almost
besine himself. Sinking into his chair,
he cried out: IL am not the thief; the
thieves are there pointing to the door,
and meaning, could see, his son and
confedera,es, though they were not pres
ent.
We went into the museum. The first
thing the old gar,lener-as | shall still
call llhim-did, was to take hold dof Bruce,
while he desired one of his comrades to
lay hold of Wonder" On moving them
roise of loose metal was heard. A
moments examination suificed to reveal
the secret. In the off side of each ami
NAL, in the soft part, an orifice had been
made by cutting the skin in such way
as to enable the operator to replace 1t
with little care. A part OF the stutting
had been removed, leaving the vacancy
just like throstle's nest. This was fll-
ed with jewelry, watches, guards, ear
rings and finger rings. A further exam
alton of the museum revealed other and
as singular hiding places: for example, a
game cock was found put out of sight
on taking hold Of it noise Of clinklng
metal was heard; on lifting up the feath-
ers over the crop small hole was seen'
out of which rolled, when the bird was
shaken, a number of trinkets.
Nearly all the proceeds Of the two rob-
berries of the jeweller were recovered, ,one
watch and few guards only being ab
sent. And some of the property OF the
provision dealer was also found slowed
| in the breeding box, though most OF II
had been used or sold. scarcely need
say that the parcels sold to the gardener
were a part of it, and had to do with the
detection of it. My friend, the sergeant
informed me that he had been induced to
assume the character which he had Sc
well personated, entirely on speculation
While making survey of the neighbor-
hood few days before he began to play
his part, he had observed the backward
state of the landlords garden, and be-
lieving that he would readily catch at
chance of getting it finished off in a
cheap way. and being a good hand at
gardening, he had hit upon the scheme
which had answered so well. He had
believed that the robbers were not fal
from the locality of the public house and
might come there now and again. and SO
could he lodge there without being known
or suspected, he might come at all he de-
sired. And as he had hoped so did II
come to pass.