Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-29
Gales aud JSketfhes.
On HIS TRACK.
A CHANCE DISCOVERY WHICH LED TO
IMPoRrANr RESULTS.

| Over twenty years ago, said Mr.. Whit.
mire, . detective with whom recently
had an interview. was on the police
force of New York. One summer night
few minutes past twelve. was pacing
nv beat in q quiet part of c. street,
when a man called from . second story
window:
II say. sir, are you policeman ?"
Yes" said, what's the matter ?"
II heard q heavy jar in Mr.. Bradley'a
house. next door, and he may have fallen
and hurt himself. He Just came in few
minutes ago. If were You I'D ring the
bell"
| Mr.. Bradley was wealthy old bache'
lor who had lived entirely alone for years
in an old-fashioned brick house. His rich
es were subject for frequent gossip, and
it was said that in his house, to which no
outsider was ever admitted, he kept lot
of silverware and money. Irang the bell,
but there was no response.
"Are you sure you saw him 60 in?"
asked.
Eyes, sure of it. He hadn't been in
half minute before heard a heavy fall
have heard nothing since"
There must be something wrong"
said, after ringing the bell second time
and receiving no response. | tried the
door, but it was locked.
"If were you would force the door"
suggested the man at the window.
II don't like to do that. Is there any
other entrancep"
Eyes. that alley just beyond the steps
leads to back yard, but the gate is prob
ably locked as we'll as the rear door,"
II will go and see," said l, and walking
up the narrow alley discovered. by the
dim light of the street lamp nearly oppo-
site. that the gate was wide open, looked
in, and perceived that the rear door was
also open, and faint light shone out. All
was perfectly quiet. l returned to the
street and said to the man.
1.-THE gate and back door are open.
Come down and we'll go inn
10 halt minute be Joined me on the
sidewalk, when recognized him as an
acquaintance named Henry Collins.
'tAh, is that you? l didn't know you
lived here" said.
Eyes, and l didn't recognize you when
first addressed you"
swell, there may have been foul work
here" said I $50 we'll 60 in"
We went into the yard and entered the
house. The rear room had evidently been
used for kitchen; and guided by dim
light we passed into a narrow hall with q
stairway. Near the street door was an
old table, on which was lighted candle
that had burned to within an inch of the
candlestick. At the foot of the stairs lay
Mr.. Bradley, quite dead, and a frightful
wound upon his head convinced me that
he had been murdered.
At my request Mr. Collins hurried away
to the police station to notify the Captain,
while made an examination of the prem
ises. A number of drawers in the second
story back room had been broken open
and ransacked, and on the floor lay half
of a fresh looking newspaper. Knowing
that the old bachelor was not in the habit
of spending money for newspapers. it
struck me that the robber might have had
it in his pocket, and probably used the
other half to wrap up some of his plumber,
leaving behind him, in his hurry, what
might prove a most valuable clew. I
therefore folded up the fragment and put
it in my pocket. A moment later Mr..
Collins returned accompanied by several
OUccrS ana surgeon.
To make this part of the story brief.
will state that the usual formalities fol-
lowed, the body being handed over to the
Coroner, and the case was put in the hands
of detectives. l at first intended to give
up the bit OF newspaper had picked up,
but had some ambition to be detective
myself, and concluded to keep it, at least
a day or two, to see if could find clew
from it. 1t was lucky did.
On the following afternoon, while off
duty. and walking around in ordinary
dress, 1 paused opposite a we'll known
hotel to watch some painters who were at
work on scaffold under the caves, and
my eyes happened to light on man who
sat by third.story window. apparently
packing valise. The window was open,
and as he lifted some article to store it
away, piece of newspaper on which it
had lain came 1uttering down into the
gutter near my feet.
might not have noticed this trifling
circumstance but for the manner in which
the paper had been torn-that is, not in a
straight line, but almost in the form of the
letter V. as though it had been done in a
hurry. This correspondent with the piece
I'd found in the murdered mans house,
and snatched it up and ran into an alley
to compare them. What leap my heart
gave when discovered that the two parts
of the paper fitted exactly-there was no
doubt of it.
"On his track" muttered. "He must
not get off with thai ralise."
Being familiar with the hotel, crossed
the street, went in. and was soon rapping
on the door of room 81, from whose win
dow the paper had just blown.
"Come in." said voice.
Iopened the door and recognized, still
seated by the window, the man had seen
packing the valise, task he had COM
pleted. He was muscular man of 40,
with a clean-shaven face that wore an ex-
preston of craftiness. He seemed con-
fused when entered, and said:
"Ah. l thought it was the porter.
Haven't you made mistaken"
Without replying deliberately locked
the door and put the key in my pocket,
while he stared amazedly.
81 see you are getting ready to leave"
remarked sarcastically.
yes"
Suppose you stay in New York little
longer" said.
''Why, what do you mean ?" he ex.
claimed, rising from his chair.
"Oh, nothing Of consequence" I re.
piled, cooily.