Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-02-10

bare backed coach horse. which stun
bled about. threatening to fall with
me at every few yards. Yet the feel
ing of relief from my recent perilous
position was so great that forgot my
discomfort and urged on my blunder
ing steed until arrived at Geelong.
| had not been idle during my ride.
The fresh air had braced up my
nerves, and had begun to think what
clue I had to the robbers They were
evidently .'made UP" and wore blouses,
so that could not tell whether they
were stout or spare. Moreover, they
had on Grape masks. Suddenly ] re-
membered that while one of them was
investigating the mail bags on his
knees, with his back towards me, I
had seen that his boots were "sprigged"
with copper "spriggs" or nails in a
peculiar manner 'Here, thought /,
ssis clue" and determined to follow
it up. accordingly sought the Chief
Inspector of Police and explained the
circumstances to him. He. knowing
me in my oihcial capacity, placed one
of his men at my service, with whom
proceeded to several bootmakers and
inquired whether they had any know
ledge of such boots. None of them
had. "But," remarked one, they are
a capital clue; for, from your descrip-
ton should think they are the only
pair in the colony"
Leaving the police office to follow
out certain instructions, / went to
hotel, obtained a change Of clothing,
dined, and settled myself down for the
evening to ruminate over the events
of the day and form plans fos future
action, when a tap at the door an
nounced the arrival of messenger
from one of the bootmakers, who de-
sired to see me. fastening DO the
shop, confronted the tradesman who
apologized for troubling me. But"
said he, II think have seen your
'nAan'-lOOk as these boots" ard he
handed me the identical pair which had
SO attracted me. He explained that
man of gentlemanly appearance had
called ON him and bought a pair of
bo0ts, leaving his old ones to be repair
ed. and kept until he should call for
them Said he, Il got into convessa-
ton with the man and found that he
was going to the theater tonight ]
feared TO send you message whilst he
was here i'm case he should be suspi-
cioua SO, having obtained this infOg-
nation / waited until he had left, when
I immediately sent for you.''
This was indeed good news. I hasten
off to- the police station, and, accom-
panied by two officers in pain clothes
proceeded to the theater. We had
not been there long before my atten-
ton was attracted to Ggure in the
pit which seemed familiar to me, for
although dressed differently from what
he had beem On the previous occasion
of our meeting. felt sure from Ger.
tain. peculiREities In his movements,
which would, perhaps be very diffiRult
TO describe. that this man was none
other than Mr. Bnshranger No. l, with
whose revolver / had that morning
Deems so inkinata Presently I observ-
cd that he was making signs to some
one. in another part OF the house.
Scarcely had made up my mind to
secure. th6 FIRST named man tham he
made tracks to leave the theatere This
circumstance confirmed me, and with
the aid of the officers / secured my
man and conveyed him to the police
station
Next morning the police were &C
lively engaged in searching fOr num-
Der tw0s and one OF the body very
clevexiy detected him riding at the
head Of a .'mob" of cattle. notwith-
standing that he had shaved his chin
and completely altered his dress.
Il were . long story. to, tell of the
hearing before the magistrate, the
committal and the trial; suffice it tel
-