Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-10-06

we went together, ana IN announcer mO-
ment we knew that we had not come for
nothing. TIE window next the empty build
ing was wide open
! He was back in half minute with
all the men but one, that one having
been stationed at the front door Of the
bank.
1--WE must be ready and follow one another
as closely as possible. Have your revolv-
but kill no man unless it is absolutely nee
essary. ALL ready. One moment FIRST, and
he turned to me. "Do you suspect Mr.. Per-
cy?" he asked.
mo. sir A better man never lived!''
II think 50, too,'' he said; ''but there is
this to remember; we are going to find some
thing wrong in here. Keep your head what
ever happens.
81 WILL" said L; Ego ahead.''
Gail ready? Be quick and quiet. This
window does not open at once into the
main banking-room. We must enter that
toget her if circumstances allow. Remem-
Der no one must escape. Follow me, /" and
he sprang through the window.
In minute we were all in and stand
ing where we could SEQ the door to the
vault. and little Of the floor in front
Of it.
Four men, surrounded by a splendid
outfit of tools. were at work at the door
which held the wealth of the bank from
them.
Ready" in a whisper, ''one-two-
three" and we were upon them.
There were heavy revolvers on the coun-
ters and desks, but fortunately for all con-
cerned not one was within reach of the
burglars.
1--WE surrender" said sullen voice and
/ turned to look for my friend, leaving
the officers to attend to the men they had
captured.
He was fastened into his office chair by
a rope passed around his waist. His hands
were fastened behind him with a cord
slack enough to allow some freedom of mo-
ton. He was backed up against the wa
tercock which served to supply the officers
of the bank with drinking water. The
whole arrangement was quite low; the
catch-basin was small; the water was let
on by pressing down on piece of metal
which came back to its place when the
pressure was removed. Arnold was not
gagged, but he did not speak. saw why
in moment. He was under the influence
of ch.oroform. 1 stopped just before l
reached his eide. This is what saw:
Arnold Percy's hand was on the metal
piece which have mentioned, and he
was using it as much as he would have
used the key on telegraph Instrument
And while I watched him he was tele-
graphing over and over again, Help!
Murder! Help! Murder!''
Arnold Percy fell asleep late that even
ing, with the window open and his head
on the sill. He knew no more until we
had him free from the influence of tbs
chIoroform which had been given him
while he slept, and again from time to
time. as the robbers feared be would re-
gain consciousness.
The burglars have more than ten years
to serve yet before they will break open
another bank. In answer to questions
which l asked them, they said my friend
kept up an Internal racket with the wa
tercock the whole time" Your humble
servant, Roscoe Anthem, dear reader, has
his theory of this whole matter. He will
not insult your penetration and intelli-
gence by stating it at a greater length
than the story itself has done. Nor will
he offend you by solution which might
differ from your own.
Two Of the burglars were the two men
who quarrelled at the corner. To all the
questions that may arise because of that
fact. l can only answer. coincidepce.-|
Clarence NJ. Boutelle.