The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-07-02
A TELL:TALE PHOTOGRAPH.
BY AN ENGLISH DETECTIVE.

lence. was reported as having been per-
petrated in q retired spot in the suburbs
Of the metropolis.
An elderly gentleman had been dis
covered lying near the roadside in an
unconscious state, his pockets rifled,
aud with every indication that he had
been subjected to very rough treatment,
and that robbery had been the object.
As nothing was found on him that
could give any clue to his identity, tho
police were unable to communicate
with his friends, and he was, by direc-
ton of the division surgeon, removed
to tho hospital. where it was found that
his injuries were of q very serious ma
turc, and at least three days elapsed
before anything like an ineligible &C.
count of the occurrence could be OBJ
tanned from him.
by degrees. and during lucid inter-
walls, the following facts were elected.
He resided near London. about five
miles from the spot where he had been
found. On that day he had called upon
one of his tenants. who lived about a
mile distant. and who had paid him a
quarters rent in cash. In addition to
to this amount. he had n few pounds
with him. making altogether about
twenty pounds. He was wearing
gold watch, and he had also a few other
articles about him of no great value
He stated that when he left his tenants
to walk to the nearest railway station,
about mile and half distant, it was
nearly o'clock, and dark.
When he arrived at nearly quarter
of mile distant from the station, he
was accosted by man of stoutiSh
build. and whose general appearance
he infinitely described. The man ask
ed to be directed to some place ut no
great distance, and after being inform
ed the way, still fingered, and. suddenly
turning round, aimed blow at the gen.
tleman's head. The force of the blow
was checked by his hat, but this was
followed by others, until the old gentle
man became exhausted. having strug-
gled with his assailant vigorously. and
shouted for help. As no houses were
near. however, and the road was not
much frequentcd. he was unheard. He
was conscious that his assalant was
robbing him. He felt him take his
watch. remove from his pocket u bag
containing gold, his purse and pocket
book, but was too weak to offer further
resistance. Having secured his booty,
the man struck the old gentleman
violent blow with his stick and left him.
He remembered nothing more until lie
found himself lying on q bed in the
hospita! ward.
The case having been placed in my
hands. l at once caused a description of
the man to be circulated among the po-
lice. and also among jewellers. rclincrs
and pawnbrokers, accompanied by the
maker S name and number of the watch.
1 soon ascertained that man answer
ing this description had been observed
near the spot by policeman. who had
closly observed him, as he had a sus-
picious look. But the question was
where to look for some clew to his
whereabouts. 1 had been about week
on this job. and could get no farther
with it. when I received note from
Mr.: c., pawnbroker with whom was
! acquainted, asking me to call upon him
as early as possible.
lost no time in complying with his
request, when Mr.. c. produced bill
such as is daily circulated among pawn
brokers. containing n description of
stolen and lost property. He explained
to me that his assistants always care
fully scanned these lists, but that as he
did not give much attention to the
pledge counter, he did not always ex-
amino these bills. He had, however,
casually taken up this list on the pre-
vious day. and had been particularly
struck with one item, in which it was
stated that special attention was re-
quested to the following:
| NoTIcE.-A gold lever watch, open face.
with seconds-lnakers' name, Barr and Lund,
Cornhill, London-likely to be offered by
man of the following appearance.
The general appearance of the man,
his height. complexion. his dress. and
some pcculiarities Of manner and ex-
preston were then given.
may here remark that added to the
notice was an offer of reward of
twenty pounds to any person giving
such information as should lead to the
restoration of the property and to the
conviction of the thief.
l at once contided to Mr.. c. the fact
that was then engaged on the case,
and sincerely hoped that, as he had
sent for inc in relation to it, he had
some information to give that would be
of real assistance to me in my invests
cation.
"Well," said MIR. C.. 81 am by no
means sure that my suspicious are
well founded, but imagine l have at
least some slight clew to the mys-
tery;" for had told him all the cir
cumstances as l have already related
them here. He then went to a drawer,
and taking from it photograph al
bum, opened it before me, saying,
"Is that the man you want?'
From the first moment 1 saw the
photograph I felt convinced it was the
likeness ef the man of whom was in
search. Instead of replying to his
question. asked. "Where did you get
thisp''
SWELL" said Mr.. c., .'when read
the description of the man on that bill,
he seemed to rise up before me.
could not divest myself of the idea that
l had seen him, and that the general
details of his appearance brought before
my mind familiar reality. pom
dered the subject for some time. when
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