The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-07-02

Sh"s SuIs 10 Su0 Ahcu0SS Va -oOulos
what remarkable looking man, and II
left an impression ON my mind which
the description on the bill at once re-
vivcd."
Can you give me the address OF the
woman?" inquired.
Il can. Here 1t u.s." he said, handing
me slip Of paper with an address
written upon it.
l was permitted to take the photo
graph with me, and bidding Mr.. c.
good day. l took my departure, and
fell to considering my next step. Ide-
termincd to ascertain if the woman
lived ut the address l had obtained.
As we frequently. in the course of our
inquiries have to make various ex-
cuses for calling at the houses where
we hope to obtain some information,
we are somewhat fertile in connecting
reasons for so doing, and when
knocked at the door of the house in
Swan street, to which Ihad been direct
ed, l had quite prepared myself with q
plausible reason.
The door was opened by an elderly
woman, who had the unmistakable
stamp of lodging-house keeper upon
her.
On my inquiring il Mrs. fritchard
lived there. she surveyed me with a
rather critical air, as If to CLEAN my
business, and then replied:
''She used to, but she has left"
''HoW long has she lcft?''
II think about five weeks"
''Just about the time of the robbery, :"
/ remarked to myself.
''Do you know where she has gomez"
mo. l do not. l wish l did; for if
ever felt for poor young thing, do
for her. She paid me up all she owed
before she left. But her wretch of a
'">band-he is a bad 'un, he is. idling
time away during the day. and just
going out when all decent people think
of going to bed"
''Ihen you can give me no idea of
where they have gone to?'
mo; they left me somewhat sudden
ly. She told me she was going into
the country-that her husband had
obtained q situation; but as she was
never ready to talk about her affairs. l
did not trouble her by inquiring any
further"
Finding could get nothing from the
woman, my next step was to submit the
photograph to the police officer, who
had stated his readiness to identify the
man he had met near the scene of the
outrage. accordingly looked him up.
when he unhesitatingly recognized the
likeness.
AS had sufficient evidence of idcnti-
ty, determined not to trouble the in
jurcd old gentleman. and began to turn
over in my mind what was the best
thing to be done next. The man had
removed from his lodgings. and as far
as could ascertain. had left no clue to
his whereabouts.
After some consideration l deter
mined TO call upon Mr.. c. once more
l soon found myself sitting in his snug
little office, and after informing him of
the departure of the man from Swan
street, l asked him if he had many
transactions with his wife. and if she
often visited the shop. He told me
that she had been frequent customer.
usually bringing articles Of her own
apparel, and rarely obtaining more
than few shillings upon them.
Can you inform me if she has any
more articles in pledge with you nowp"
asked.
II will ascertain" he replied. 'Of
course there is the album, and probably
there are other things.''
In short time was informed that
there were several other parcels belong
ing to her still in the warehouse.
A happy thought struck inc.
"Are you in want of an assistant just
now," l inquired.
mo. Why do you askp"
Gould You not take an extra one
temporarily, you know?"
II do not understand you."
use here" said I-"suppose I were
to enter your service for a shot time,
just to be handy in case your custo-
mcr called to redeem some more of her
goods"
II see." said Mr.. c., smiling. II
think it might be managed"
So in very short time l was station
ed at a small desk at the end of the
counter, with pen behind my ear, and
looking as much like pawn-broker's
shopman as l could.
l had previously secured the assist
ance of q reliable man, who often work.
ed with ME, to he OH hand if required
his help.
1t had been arranged that a certain
signal should be given me if the woman
called. An inkstand stationed on my
desk was to be removed and placed be-
fore where she was standing.
After three days waiting, and oc-
cupying my time the best way could,
about II O'Clock in the morning a
neatly dressed young woman entered
a box, and, after looking through a
packet of pawn tickets she had taken
from her pocket, placed about half a
dozen on the counter, saying she wish
ell to redeem them.
As soon rs the assistant had taken
them he came to my desk. removed the
inkstand, and placed it in front of the
woman.
Without appearing to notice the cir.
cumstance, leisurely sauntered toward
the door. signalcd to my man, and in
structed him to follow the woman
whose appearance l misunderstanding
him not to lose sight of her until he
saw her enter what he might suppose
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