The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-05-19
INSPECTOR BYRNES.
Row He Won His First Laurels-A Clever
Piece of Detective Work.
Correspondence Philadelphia Times. I

tCOAiCoponuCuOC AullduClpuAd 4lmCo.I
, Probably Vidocq, the great Partisan detec-
tive, with all the sensational descriptions of
his daring exploits, never performed more
dangerous or useful duties than has Inspector
Byrnes during the past five years. When
the great detective lounges in his "Chauber
of Horrors" where are collected all the
CHASTITY relics of robbery, murder and
sudden death in every form, it
may be difficult to carry the
mind back to the time when this broad
shouldered, handsome hero was an ordinary
sidewalk measurer," patroling the streets
in blue uniform for his small monthly pay
ment. Yet such is the discipline imposed
upon every individual who aspires to an en-
viable position, even in police circles, that
Inspector Byrnes was forced to pass through
the successive stages of patr0lmau, Sergeant
Captain of station, Captain of the Broad
way squad, and Captain of the Central Office
detectives. Each position he filled with
praiseworthy credit, and garnered up such
stock of knowledge and experience of 1.-The
ways of this wicked world" that stood him
in good stead in after life.
Curiously enough, as great things are said
to result from small beginnings sometimes
the Inspector owes his spurs in one sense to
very insignificant piece of red ribbon. A
number of years ago the Inspector was put
on the scent of a Madison avenue robbery.
IL was skillful piece of work, and the ROB-
be rs bad so successfully covered their tracks
that 1t was evident at once that they were
all experts in the business. The house had
been entered, the safe unlocked or opened in
some manner, the money and jewels ex-
tracted and nothing lett to show how il was
all performed. But in this case excessive
care in trying to cover their tracks proved
10 be the robbers weak point rather
than double precaution. Between
the sides of the safe and the
inrar dro q Of ~
ribbon had been caught. 1t was merely a
few threads, yet enought to tell long tale,
This was carefully preserved by the In
spector and efforts made to attach some Gle "
of the robbery to it. He naturally concluded
that female was connected in some way
with the work and his first thought was to
look among the servants for the owner of the
ribbon. OF the dozen or more women serv-
ants connected with the house one only was
noticed to have liking for scarlet ribbons.
On several occasions she was seen to wear a
ribbon which correspondent in color to the
piece snugly slowed away in the Inspector
pocket-book. The chambermaid, for such
she was, was light blonde, with an intelli-
gent-loOking face and of vivacious manners.
She always appeared in a neat, tidy dress
and carried. herself with evident self-lnde-
pendence. The Inspector fixed upon her his
suspicious and watched her every action.
The little chambermaid likewise became
suspicious and endeavOred to avoid the
sleuth- hound on all possible occasions. One
day it was announced that she was about to
leave. She had secured another position
that suited her better, was her only excuse.
The detective felt that he was narrowing her
down, and determined to watch her all that
night. His reward was forthcoming. About
midnight she was observed leaving the house
all alone. She carried nothing with her III
a small bundle. A Madison avenue car was
stopped by her. and with the Inspector on
the front platform it slowly rolled down
town. At Canal street she dismounted aud
hurried along toward the East River.
until she suddenly disappeared in one
of the dark alleyways which run
in that street. The detective followed
her and with the assistance of two police
men the little chambermaid, with her two
accomplices, were captured in a small tene-
ment house, where they had taken up tenn
porary quarters Finding themselves caught
the three readily acknowledged their crime,
and considerable of the money and all the
iewelry were recovered.
This, of course, gave the Inspector con.
siderable notoriety, and gained him fresh
laurels. He was placed on more difficult
jobs after that, and step by step he climbed
up in his profession, until suddenly it was
announced that he had been appointed In
spector. This astonished many politicians
and city officials at the time, put, as it was
common to say, lit was Byrnes' luck"