The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-01-06
HOW l GOT PROMOTED.
A DETECTIVES STORY.

Tom" said the chief, 'there has
been a rather mysterious robbery at Bar
rowtown, and its likely to give the 10
Gals some trouble I wish you to go
down as soon as possible"
This order received one hot day III
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 others in goodly
Engla2d. 1t seemed almost too dull to
be able to boast the doubtful honor OF
having had full grown robbery. Still
I like the Quiet little town. for it was
there that had gained my first promo
ton.
| was met at the station by the local
inspector. stout, pompous eXcltable
little man. who looked doubtless as to
the prudence of the Scotland Yard au-
thorities in sending down such an ordi-
nary looking mortal as myself
"Oh. he remarked at last: 80 it's you,
voung man. is it? l don't think we are
likely to trouble YOU much this time.
The fact is, ahem! We have caught the
culrrit ourselves.
I merely bowed AMI expressed wish
10 see the prisoner: and We both set off
FOR the county Jail, perhaps mile or so
away.
Well. it certainly seemed as plain as
day to me that the unhappy wretch on
whom Inspector Muggridge had laid his
fell grasp could easily have proved an
alibi had not that worthy officer contln-
pally interrupted him with:
Better keep all that for your exami-
nation. my COOL fellow, on it II all be
brought up against you. You know.
l told him seriously, as soon as | could,
private. that the man he had arrested
was NJ more guilty than | was; but he
simply smiled incredUloUsly and asked
VINO else could be the culprit as this was
the only really abandoned character Of
the town. and il was plainly the work OF
some one who knew the place. beside,
he added. 1t isn't very likely that any
one could beat me on my own ground
where know everybody. you know: and
if he didnt do it. who did: With
which really unanswer&ble argument he
accompanied me to the scene of the rob
berry, where we were shown over the
premises by the mistress Of the house.
When J saw the ground floor window
by which access had been gained to the
house. I quite agreed with the worthy
local that il was not the work of a new
hand. and that from the fact that his
footprints, whenever We could trace
them, showed no hesitation, but rather
thorough acquaintance with the grounds,
the culprit. whoever he was. must have
had some opportunity OF visiting the
scene Of operations, and probably lived
somewhere in the neighborhood.
1t seemed that the thief had entered
the house by window in the rear, and
carried of small box of yaluables from
the room Of the master of the house, who
had been staying at a friends on that
night. Both these facts showed an init
mate knowledge of the premises Oh the
part If the culprit. and strengthened our
former belief We were informed that
the lost casket-an ordinary tin cash box
had been almost filled with various
articles Of jewelry, and therefore the loss
was rather heavy. Of course the knowl-
edge that there would be a good reward
for the recovery of the missing property
did not abate my zeal. Still, in spite of my
eaeerness to discover the culprit. / could
make but little OF the case. and even
have come over to the opinion of the
local but for Il very important fact,
namely, the footprints in the garden bed
we're all smaller than those of the prls-
oner. Now although man may wear
boots several sizes too large for him on
occasion, yet he can hardly walk with
comfort IA shoes an inch or so too short.
Very much annoyed at my want of
success, and dreading the cuaff ! would
be sure 10 get when, compelled to give
il up. I should return 10 town. | was
not particularly delighted next morning
70 see Mr.. Muggrdge coming up the
road 70 the house accompanied by the
editor Of the BarrowtOn weekly Banner
who had determined, lac said, TO write
mp the account of the robbery himself.
BIT there was no escape: and so,
prepared for host of questions; /