Milford chronicle., 1889-04-19
A DETECTIVE.

~ - - LIZ L l. -
AS pinned on my new shield, on being
installed member of the detective force Of
young western city, my first wish was for
an opportunity to show my superiors and the
public the metal was made of.
An occasion was not long waiting. An
adroit forgery came to light, of which one
of the city banks had been the victim, and a
large reward was offered for the capture Of
the perpetrators.
Facts tended to fasten suspicion on a young
merchant who had lately failed under cues
tionable circumstances, and whose disappear
ance, shortly after tie forgery, had first led
TO coupling his name with the affair.
Evidence sufficient to justify his arrest was
at length accumulated, and orders were given
by our chief for his apprehension on sight.
Here was the chance l had longed for. The
shrewdest of the force had failed to gain any
trace O. the fugitive. Could but strike the
trail and run the game 10 earth while so
many were at fault, would be a made man,
to say nothing of the reward to be pocketed.
Opinion was much divided as to whether
Nimblenib-that was the forger's name-was
concealed in the city or whether he had
gone into hiding elsewhere.
One day thought it could do no harm to
take jaunt of observation to a neighboring
city.
Entering the train early, I selected place
which gave a good opportunity to observe
the passengers as they arrived, which made
it my business to do while pretending to be
busy with the morning paper.
a genteel looking man, Of middle age SEEM
ingly, shared the seat with me, and by de-
grees we fell into conversation.
'You belong to the detective force per-
ceive,n remarked the stranger, CHANGING at
the badge which a slight arrangement of the
lapel of my coat had left partly exposed.
Blushing at the inadvertence, fastened
to conceal the tell tale token.
by the way he continued, chat scamp,
Nimblenib, must be a sharp fellow so long to
avoid the vigilance Of You gentry
"We'll have him yet" replied with the
air Of man who knew a good deal more
than he chose to tell.
''It's to be hoped so, returned the stranger
dryly. 81 suppose you would recognize him
if you saw him.
ION the spot" I said confidently.
"You have seen him, theng'
"No; but have his description so accu-
rately that I could pick him out from a
thousand
"Don't be too sure of that, my companion /
answered. snow 1 have seen Dick Nimble- /
nib fifty times, and would know him at a
glance, but never by the printed descriptions .
l have seen-but stay-as l live"
The stranger gave a start Of establishment,
and, before could inquire the reason, added .
in n suppressed tone:
Don't look, at present at the person Of
whom I'm going to speak. He sits on the
end next us of the third seat in front, on the
opposite side Wait q moment and then
scan him cautiously"
/ did as directed, and saw a young gentle
man, whose face wore a disturbed expression
as he kept Clancing about anxiously.
do you know himl" l inquired.
81 do" whispered the stranger.
"Who is herr
"Dick Nimblenibn
half sprang to my feet, my purpose being
TO arrest the man on the spot. The strangers
hand on my arm restrained me.
''Not so fast, said he, ''or you may spoil all.
Though not professional, III give you bit
Of advice for what it's worth. Keep the
man in sight till he leaves the train; then
follow him to his hiding place, where you'll
have a chance not only to find such confrma-
tory proofs as shall remove all doubt of his
guilt, but may succeed in bagging his &C
complies"
The advice seemed so wise that 1 determined
TO follow it.
At the next station the stranger, who told
me his name was Pilchard took his leave,
wishing success to my enterprise.
The young man forward, from whom /
scarce once removed my eyes, grow moro
fidgety as the time passed. His looks wan
dered distrustfully from side to side and as
each new conner entered his startled manner
betrayed feeling akin to fright.
Station after station was passed; but,
though his agitation increased every moment,
the young man never left his seat. Patiently
as a cat in ambush kept watch, longing for
the moment to make the fatal spring.
1t was growing dusk when we stopped at a
large town, where fifteen minutes were al
lowed for supper.
There was a general rush Of the passengers,
and in the confusion / lost sight of my man.
He had certainly passed out with the crowd.
should probably find him in the supper room.
went through it, but he was not there. I
high and low; he was nowhere to be
found
The last thing to do was to keep watch as
the passengers returned to take their places.
With the vigilance Of a sentinel paced the
platform by the side Of the waiting train, but ;
he did not return.
Exhausted inquiry and description, but in
vain. could gain no trace Of the missing I
forger. How blamed my stupidity in allow
Ing him to slip through my fingers, and all l
through giving heed to the shallow advice of
that oficious Pilchard. How could have
been such a donkey
Another train would leave In couple Of
hours Possibly Nimblenib might resume his
Journey on that, thinking to break his trail p
by the interval There was nothing better
han to wait and see.
The time passed slowly, but my patience
vas rewarded at last.
A carriage drove up, and who should step
'ut but the person was seeking, followed by
! lady to whom he offered his arm. c
I advanced and laid my hand upon his
boulder. n
II have orders to arrest you" said. il
Tho man seemed Thunderstorm, and the
ady uttered a scream .
II have done iVthing TO make me amenable !,
o the law said the former, recovering him
ELF with an effort
you'll have an opportunity to prove that, \
1t takes loud baby to wake up Sleep