The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-27

furnish him ciew. Ana Providence
didn't Nhirk this grave duty.
Two or three days after his converse
ton with ,Ir Mendelsehn the dctccti-c
Vas detailed on petty larceny case IL q
fashionable boarding house on Michigan
a:enue. The job was Oh easy one, and as
he was about 20 leave tho house lady
asked him 4 nc were judge Of llces.
mo. mSlans, said Simmons; Why CO
;.,os cskT'
Because have Just made a wonder
ful bargain, replied the lady. IL have
bought several yards OF the finest French
hand mado lace for s yard. It's worth
ut least $40 yard.
Indeed" said Denis. bis heart giving
@ great bound 90 he thought Of that
troublesome robbery at Mendelsohns,
''of whom did you buy itr'
"Of q peddIcr-a nice looking. curly
haired Young man. wearing velvet coat.
The detective examined the lace. and,
although not an expert. he had sufficient
knowledge Of such goods 10 warrant him
in the conclusion that the peddlcr vas
practically giving the laces away. He
made an excuse TO take the bargain
NON n l'F Nit'N'A ~ W MI -h'hN'f
sohn, who Immediately recognized it Is
a port ION of his stolen stock.
Denis had struck clew. The descrip-
ton Of the peddler tailed with that of
Herman Landgraff boy whom he had
arrested for sneak work several years ago,
and WHOM he thought was leading cor
rect life Still. the detective did not
think that Landgraff was skillful enough
to commit the lace robbery, the boy was
probably the tool OF Older thieves, who
had set him 10 pcddlc some of the goods
a. the safest means Of disposing Of them.
But this WIS great discovery, and
Simmons was clcted over IT,
About the same time another detective
had bis attention called 30 a cheap peck
ctbcok bought from a pcddler 10y brok
er's clerk This pocke,book proved 10 be
part Of tho stock stolen from Cobb's Cir
culatlng library The peddcr who sold
il answered 20 the description Of Charlie
Mott, partner of Landgraii .. and tic
brother of Mollic Mott. whose thicving
propcnsitios and prohigacy were tho t1lS
OF Chicago for years.
1T never rains but it pours, remarked
Denis to his colleague. We arc on the
.yo Of great haul
Having rot track Of & portion cf the
stolen property, Simmons felt that the
rest Of the worl, was comparatively SIM
pic. lie soon located Landgraff and Mott.
They lived IL an old frame house on West
Thirteenth street with Mr. Landgaaf
The detective made cautious inquiries
as 10 the habits Of tho boys, and esccr-
tanned that they were regular night
hawks. as well az street peddlcrs by day.
Tbcy rarely reached home before day
light, and invariably drove up ina buggy,
from which they carried bundles into the
house.
Two other boys, known as Curly and
Herman, often accompanied them. and
stopped with Mrs. Landgraff for days at
a stretch
As these facts developed Simmons
changed his mind abont ihe connection OF
New York men with the burglaries. lie
mad struck an organized rang OF smart
Young thieves, who vcrc probably solely
responsible for the crimes Which had
start led the business community and puz-
zled the police.
Ii was late at night when Denis reported
the result of bis investigation 10 tho chief
he was instructed 10 arrest the lads but
g. by this time they were Undoubtedly on
one Of their rHaraading expeditions, SIN
mons concluded 20 sweep down on the old
franc house ia the early morning and
capture the whole gang.
Three officers we're detailed 10 assist
Simmons. and ut 4 O clock in tho morning
they drove out on West Thirteenth street
Denis talked enthusiastically about the
Importance of this expedition and the
praise they would receive fer breaking up
such daring Lnd dangerous gang Ct bur
elara.
1T viii be one Of tho biggest things Of
tho wear. lac said, and :. splendid feather
ia all our caps.
Denis enthusiasm vas infectious.
lnng Lcforc they reached the old frame
house his colleagues were swcllod with the
magnitude Of their mission. and antici-
! palime the glowing accounts of their eli
cicurv and proves which would adorn
/ tho columns Of the newspapers.
The carriage was not taken direct 10
tho house for fear of alarming the inmates.
The officer left it 4 block away and ap-
preached Oh foot
Two went a. the rear 81 the building to
intercept any Of the boz burglars who
might attempt 10 escape that way.
Simmons and the othcr officers banged
on the front door. aHd loudly demanded
admittancc
Not sound came FROM the inside TIC
place wa ia total darkmcss. and the loua
knocks echoed and rc-ecLoed through the
hallway without bringing a response.
They re- ia their first sleep, sand Denis,
and nothing short oi Cabriols trump
/ will rouse them.
Lets Lick IL the door, suggested las
/ colleague. who was anxious 10 complete
/ The job.
AN right said Denis, here goes.
A few vigorous kicks madc kindlng
wood Of the door, and tho two officers en-
tered the house, pistol IN hand. ready ior
any resistance ON the part OF the boy
burglars.
The house had an empty ring. and Denis
turned on his bulls eye, 20 start back ~
! establishment.
Not vestige Of furniture was TO be
seen on the lower floor The upstaira
rooms were equally bare Tho birds had
flown.
This is the biggest thing Of the year,
( said Denis companion, sarcastlcally.
Simmons bit his lip and Sid nothing