Louisiana capitolian., 1880-09-04
A DETECTIVES STORY.


town, and it's likely to give the locals
some trouble. So I wish you to 60 down
as soon as possible"
This order received one hot day IN
August, on the day after the robbery had
taken place. Of course l did not let
much time pass before was at the
station and fairly started. Once there
Barrowtown is quaint, picturesque
little town, like many another in goodly
England. 1t seemed almost too dull to
he able to boast the doubtful honor of
having had a full grown robbery Stlll'
liked the quiet little town, for it was
there that gained my first promotion
Twas met at the station by the local
inspector, "a stout, pompous excltaDie
little man, who looked doubtful as to
the prudence of the Scotland Yard
authorities in sending down such an
ordinary looking mortal as myself.
"Oh," he remarked at last, $50 ltsyou'
young man, is it ? 1don't think we are
likely to trouble you much this time.
The fact is-ahem-we have caught inc
culprit ourselves
merely bowed, and expressed wish
to see the prisoner, and we both set OFT
for the county Jail, perhaps mile or so
away.
Well it certainly seemed as plain as
day to noe, that the unhappy wretch on
whom Inspector Muggridse had laid his
fell grasp could easily have proved an
alibi, had not that worthy officer contln-
ually interrupted him with
"Better keep all that for your examin-
alton, my good fellow, or it'll all be
brought up against you, my man. you
know
| told him seriously, as soon as could
in private, that the man he had arrested
was no more guilty than l was; but he
simplv smiled incredulously, and asked
who else could be the culprit, as this
was the only really abandoned character
Of the town, and it was plainly the work
of some one who knew the place.
s'Besides," he added, ''it isn't very
likely that any one could beat me on
my own ground, where l know every
body. you know; and if he didn't do
it, who did 7"
With which really unanswerable argyll
ment he accompanied me to the scene
of the robbery, where we were shown
over the premises by the mistress OF the
house. When saw the ground-Hoor
window by which access had been gain
ed to the house, quite agreed with the
worthy local, that it was not the work
of a new hand, and that from the fact
that his footprints wherever we could
trace them, showing no hesitation, but
rather a thorough acquaintance With
the grounds, the culprit, whoever nc
was. must have had some opportunity
of visiting the scene of operations, and
probably lived somewhere in the neigh
bOrhoOd.
It seemed that the thief had entered
the house by window in the rear, ant
carried off box Of valuables from the
room of the master of the house, wnf
had been staying at friends on thai
uirht, Both these facts showed an Ill
innate knowledge of the premises OF
the part of the culprit, and strengthen
ed our former belief. We were informed
that the lost casket-an ordinary til
cash box-had been almost filled will
various articles of jewelry, and therefore
the loss was rather heavy. OF cours
the knowledge that there would be
good reward for the recovery OF tn
missing property did not abate my zeal
Still, in spite of my easerness to dlscov
er the culprit, could make but little o
the case, and might even have com
over to the opinion of the local, bu
for one very important fact, namely
the footprints i'll the garden bed wer
all smaller than those OF the prisoner
Nov, although man may wear boot
several sizes too large for him on occa
sions, vet he can hardly work with CON
fort in shoes an inch or two too short.
Very much annoyed at my want
success, and dreading the chaif woul
be sure to get, when, compelled by at
verse circumstances, to give it up,
should return to town, | was not pa
ticularly delighted next morning to st
Mr.. Muggridge coming up the road
the house, accompanied by the edit'
of the Barrowtown Weekly Banner, VII
had determined, he said, to write Il
4he occurrence himself. But there W;
no escape: and so, prepared for ho