Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-07-08

left an impression on my mind which
the description on the bill at once re-
vived."
'Can you give me the address of the
woman?" / inquired.
! II can. Here it is he said, handing
me slip of paper with an address
written upon it.
/ was permitted to take the photo.
graph with me, and bidding Mr.. c.
good day, I took my departure, and
fell to considering my next step. de-
termined to ascertain if the woman
lived at the address had obtained.
As we frequently, in the course of our
inquiries have to make various ex-
cuscs for calling at the houses where
we hope to obtain some information,
VIC are somewhat fertile in connecting
reasons for so doing, and when
knocked at the door of the house in
Swan street, to which had been direct
ed, had quite prepared myself with a
plausible reason.
The door was opened by an elderly
woman, who had the unmistakable
stamp of lodging-house keeper upon
her.
On my inquiring if Mrs. rritchard
lived there. she surveyed me with
rather critical air, as if to CLEAN my
business, and then replied:
"She used to, but she has left"
"How long has she left?'
Il think about five weeks"
just about the time of the robbery"
l remarked to myself
"Do you know where she has gone"
mo, do not. | wish l did; for il
ever felt for poor young thing l do
for her. She pail me up all she owed
before she left. But her wretch of
lnIsband-he is a bad 'un, he is, idling
his time away during the day, and just
going out when all decent people think
of going to bed"
Then you can give me no idea OF
where they have gone TOP"
mo; they left me somewhat sudden
ly. She told mo she was going into
the country-that her husband had
obtained situation; but as she was
never ready to talk about her affairs, |
! did not trouble her by inguiring any
further
Finding I 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. l accordingly looked him up,
when he unhesitatingly recognized the
likeness.
As had sufficient evidence of identi-
ty, determined not to trouble the in
jured 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 o. the man from Swan
street, | asked him if he had many
transactions with his wife and if she
often visited the shop. He told me
that shC had been frequent customer,
usually bringing articles of her own
apparel. and rarely obtaining more
than 4 few shillings upon them.
Can yos inform me if she has any
more articles in pledge with you now2"
| asked.
Il will ascertain" he replied. .Of
course there is the album and probably
there are other things"
In n short time l was informed that
there were several other parcels belong
ing to her still in the warehouse.
a happy thought struck me.
Are you in want of an assistant just
now" | inquired.
mo. Why do you ask?"
Gould you not take an extra one
temporarily, you know?'
Il do not understand YOU"
Use here said I-''suppose l were
to enter your service for shot time,
just to be handy in case your custo-
mer 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 reliable man, who often work
ed with me, to be on 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 IL o'clock in the morning
neatly dressed young woman entered
q pox, anu, alter looking through a
packet of pawn tickets she had taken
from her pocket, placed about half
dozen on the counter, saying she wish
ed to redeem them.
As soon as the assistant had taken
them he came to my desk, removed the
inkstapd, and placed it in front of the
woman.
Without appearing to notice the cir
cumstance, leisurely sauntered toward
the door, signaled to my man, and in
structed him to follow the woman
whose appearance l described-telling
him not to lose sight of her until he
saw her enter what he might suppose
to be her home. I gave him some
money, and directed him to telegraph
} to me cautiously when he had reached