The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-01-06
A CLEVER CAPTURE.
" A letter, Sir Richard"

Amy answer IequiredW
! don't krow-the messenger is out
side"
"Wait"
The speakers were Sir Richard Mayne,
the chief OF the London police, and a
subordinate. With the last word of
command, the commissioner, who was
seated in his private Office, in White
hall, opened the enve 'ope and read:
THE Duke of Skelty presents his
compliments TO Sir Richard Mayne and
would be obliged Tor the attendau ce of
n suitable detective at the ball and sup
per 10 be given by the duchess to-mor-
row evening"
The chief smiled cynicaily as he
peruSed the communicate u, for hitherto
he had greet difficulty III hreAkin ing
down a prejudice amongst the titled
classes and the work of his favorite de-
partment (the detective bureau) had
been much impeded. Taking up his
pen he wrote:
" have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt Of your grace's letter, and TO in
form you that an officer will be present
nl the time mentioned.
Your obcdient servant.
RICHARD MAYNE
Folding the letter. ano inclosing it in
al envelope with celebration, the com.
missioner bal ded it to his subordinate,
who Immediately left the room. Sir
Richard Nayne understood the dukes
motivts in requesting lie presence CT
detective. he was aware that some OF
TIE most daring Iobberies in the rug.
tropolis had hten pCrpetrated in tho.
brilliant assem- blales, but hitherto his
hands had been tied by the convention
al leluctnnce 10 even temporarily recog-
niz" dett ctive as an EQUAL. The Duie
OF > ie!ty had made matters easy, and
Sir RiclaId felt glad that the self jn'rO
ductiCn OF mem bels Of the "swell" MOB
into reception ana ball rooms had al
last oEe ed the way for police represen-
tation. On tits occasion he was deter
mined to send tie best man available
one whose gentlemaply department :nd
professional abilities ould reflect Gre dit
on the department. He thought over
the mater for few moments, and then,
touching a bell Which was prompt;
answer ed, said briefly to the messenger
- Send for Inspector Carlton" The in.
spector Of detectives shortly after ap-
Feared, and, as he entered the commits
siontr's Office, that gentleman favored
him with smile, for be was favorite
with the chief. Dick" Carlton was
conceded to be "the handsomest man
on the force" He had been well
brought up, and had received good
education. Though blonde an d rather
etlellinate in appearance, he had nerves
OF steel and fine muscular develop.
ment. He was always well dressed,
imperturbably cool and self-possessed,
spoke all the Continental languages
with huenCy and ease, was quick in his
movements and prompt to take advan-
tn- Nf 1.r L,N
further his professional ends. Most OF
the department, when they entered the
Ctiiee Oh the chiei, waited in respectful
attitude for the great man to bid them
be seated, which he sometimes neg
lected 10 do. "Dick" Carlton, as stated
before, was a iavorite, and with 81 favor
ties privilege he walked carelessly into
the room, and gracefully posed himself
in an easy chair.
"You sent for me, Sir Richard" said
the inspector.
Yes, Carlton, have special work
for YOU" was the answer; several rob.
berries have been committed in West End
drawing rooms recently. Tomorrow
there will be ball ut the Duke of
Skelty's town residence in Belgravia
Although every invitation has been
personally sent out by the duchess, it is
lOSGIplt llitii CHI bI lWO
persons will cOntrive to be present. You
will attend in full evening dress, and the
duke will, FOR the time, give you the
welcome of q guest.n
That all, Sir RchardP"
Yes, excepting that / desire you 70
report to me personally after the ball"
inspector Carlton arose from his seat
ana leisurely withdrew. Those ;who
knew the least OF him dubbed him rs
lazy and not worth Ibis salt" but his
lntlmales never made such a mistake.
Whue bis body was posed in lazy alti-
tude. his mind was active-teeming with
lite.
Questions which were asked in an
idle, indifferent tone were pregnant
with meaning to the questioner, if not
TO the person questioned. He seldom
looked any one IN the face when con
versing, not because he was afraid 10.
but because his eyes were seeking infor-
nation ia one direction while his brain
sought it in another. Far from looking
lazy, he was, in reality, the most octiVe
man in the department. While others
were iretting and tussing, hurrying
hither and thither, with no very clear
idea what to do, Carlton would arrange
his programme while quietly smoking
cigar, then composedly hail cab and
go about his way in a methodical, cool,
and clear-headed way. More than any
cth,r man In the force, he utilized the
tilegraph, cabs, railroads, ETC., not be-
: cause he was lazy, but because he
estimated all these aids at their proper
worth. II spector Car ton had been en-
gagged in some dangerous business since
he adopted the vocation OF detective,
and when he left his chiefs office he
congratulated himself that he had a
pleasant task for once Not one thought
OF danger entered his head, and yet. as
matter OF fact, it was to be one OF The
most perilous adventures OF his life. In
pursuance with his instructions the
detective made an elaborate toilet and
presented himself at the r,sidence of the
Duke Of SKelty. He went early be-