Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-07-29
TRAILING A CRIME.

possesses the merit OF being absolutely
true.
About a dozen years ago complaints
were continually made to us of repeated
robberies from luggage train, which
Mt that time was doing service between
London and certain town which l will
call Hubbleton. .@s.-....... ....r.
Time after time, in spite of the traffic
managers strictest vigilance, valuable
freight was stolen. The most mysterious
part of the affair was that not infre-
frequently the missing goods consisted
of very heavy and cumbrous articles. IS
bales OF raw wool, wooden clothes, and
now and again bags of logwood, boxes
Of indigo, etc. ...g. ......
The company's own detective placed
the whole of the servants under the
most watchful surveillance.
Still consignors and consignees con-
tinued to complain.
1t was at this ruinous juncture that
my services were calledinto requisition.
"Sleeky" Chat was the nickname
was best known by them,) said the In
spector to me one morning, Il have
got an intricate little matter l want
you to undertake."
He gave ME details Of the case, which
I have just rccited, and concluded by
advising me to take day or two so as
to deliberate my plans for attack.
"Of course you know the Importance
of the thing" he said, just before /
took my leave of him, land if you
bring it to a satisfactory termination /
will take into consideration the ques-
ton of advising your promotion"
thanked him for his encouraging re-
marks, and went away in high hopes of
achieving my promised reward.
Early the following day. the Inspect
or was apprised of the visit of rail
road porter, who wished to speak to
him on subject of deep importance.
He was roud-shouldcred, gray
whiskered man, of apparently so years
of age.
''Well, what is it you want, my good
manP Take seat"
Thank you, sir. I've come to tell
you that think know who it is that
keeps stealing things from our compa-
ny, and if you will send man up with
me will give him wrinkle or two
concerning it."
What do you know about it?"
"Well, l have spoken to our fore
man, and he sent we down to say | am
ready to help the man you are going to
send up, that't all
"Oh, very well. The officer is not
in now. Call again tomorrow at 10,
and you shall see him. Good day"
Good day." l answered, for the
pseudo porter was indeed myself. DO
you think, Inspector, this get-up is
good enough?" l inquired, with a
smile.
For moment he was thunderstruck
and stood looking at me in great as
Constituent. Then he burst out IN an
uproarious peal of laughter, during
which | made my exit.
Ny disguise was perfect. I had I'M
dergone a thorough transformation;
gesture, voice and form were changed.
The consummate ability always pos
sessed in this respect has often been of
incalcuable service to me in my pro-
fession.
1t was growing late in the afternoon,
Us intended it should, when | arrived
at the luggage department of the rail
road, and, after laundering around for
some time among the long lines of
trucks and scrambling over mountains
of miscellaneous goods, l came upon
the dimly-lit sanctum of Mr. Higgins,
the general manager, / knocked at
the door and responsive to the gruff
voice of that individual entered
Barely had l closed the door behind
me before Mr.. Higgins. buried at his
desk among ledgers, letters and way
bills, turned bluntly upon me.
What's the matter now? Another
squabble among you-eh?"
Not exactly, sir" l said. Il wish
to have little talk with you about the
robberies that have been taking place
tor some time past"
"Oh, you do, Ell! Well, what can
you iell me about them?"
And Mr.. Higgins, ewing me most
critically, suddenly assumed a very
serious and injured air.
saw from his manner that nothing
could be gained by longer beating
around the bush," SO | revealed nv
self to Mr.. Higgins by promptly hand
ing him my card.
"Well, bless my soulr' exclaimed
the manager, looking first at my name
and then at me, his feelings alterna-
ting the while between surprise and
suspicion. "And are you really the
man l sent for to root out these
thefts?''
1.-The same" / said.
you surprise me, l could have
sworn you were one of my own work
men,"
$50 much the better for my plans,
Mr.. Higgins. You are loading the
trucks for Yorkshire tonight, under
stand"
yes"
Good! I want you, then, to be
kind enough to introduce me to your
foreman. Is he to be relied on?'
II have every confidence in him, ="
replied MIR. Higgins.
''Can he be safely trusted with my
plans?"
AFTER few words to him from me
he can"
Every good. That will be of valu-
able service to me. And now you may
send for him, if it is convenient for
you to do so. One moment, though,
Mr.. Higgins, please. What time is the
train to start tonight"