The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1889-02-01
miscellaneous.
A DETECTIVE.

AS pinned on my new shield, on being
installed member of the detective force of d
young Western city, my first wish was for an
opportunity to show my superiOis 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 ranks had been the victim, and d
large reward WAS offered for the capture OF
the perpetrators.
Facts tended to fasten suspicion on young
merchant who had lately failed under uues.
] tonable circumstances, and whose disappear.
ance, shortly after the 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 Ihad longcd tor. The
| shrewdest OF the force had failed to gain any
trace of tie fugitive. Could | but strike the
| trai. and run the game 10 Garth while so
many were at fault, would be made man,
/ to say nothing OF the reward TO be pDcketed
Opinion was much divided as to whether
Nlmblenib, that was tie torger'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 neighborng
| city.
Entering the train early, selected place
which gave good opportunity to observe
the passengers as they arrived. which made
it my business to do while pretending to be
busy with tie morning paper.
a genteel looking man, OF middle age seem
ingIy, shared the seat with me, and by de-
grees we fell into conversation.
You belong to the detective force, per-
! ceive," remarked the stranger, ganCing al
the badge which slight arrangement OF the
| nj m hoH loft lx
BIushiug at the inadverteuce, hasteued
to conceal the tcll-tale token.
BY the way" he continued, "that scamp,
Nmbl'nib, must be a sharp fellow so long 10
avoid the vigilance of you gentry"
We'll have him yet" | replied, with the
air Of a man who knew good deal more
than he chose To tel.
cts TO be hoped So" returned the stranger
dryly. Il suppose you would recognize him
if you saw him."
"On the spot" said confidently.
You have seen him. then ?"
No; but have his description SO accu-
ratey that | could pick him out from
thousand
Don't be too sure of that, my companion
answered. Now have seen Dick Nimble-
nib fifty times, and would know hin at a
glance; but never by the printed descriptions
have seen, but stay, as | livew
The stranger gave a start of establishment,
and before could inquire the reason, added
in 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 moment and then
scan him cautiously"
did ms directed, aud saw young gentle
man, whose face wore disturbed expression
as he kept glancing about anxiously.
DO you know him p inquired
81 do" whispered the stranger
"Who is he?'
"Dick Nimblenib.'
helisprang to my feet, my purpose being
to arrest the man on the spot. The strangers
hand on my arm restrained me.
Not so last, said he, "Or you may spoil all.
Though not professional l Il 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 coufirmatory
proofs as shall remove all doubt of his guilt,
but may succeed in bngging his accom-
pIiCcs."
The advice seemed SO wise that delermn-
ed follow it.
AT the next station the stranger, who told
me his name was Pilchard, took his leave,
wishing success 10 my enterprise.
The young man forward, from whom
scarce once removed my eyes, grew more
tdgety rs the time passed. His looks wan
dered dis,ruslfully from side TO side, and MS
each new conner entered his startled manner
betrayed feeling akin to fright.
Station after station WA passed; but,
though his agitation increased every moment
the young man never left his seat. Patiently
us cat in ambush kept watch, longing for
the moment TO make the fatal spring.
1t was growing dusk when we stopped at
large town, where fifteen minutes were al
lowed for supper.
There was Il 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. | searched high and low he was no.
where to be found.
The last thing to do was to keep watch as
the passengers returned to take their places
With the vigilance of sentinel l 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
forger. How blamed my stupidity in al
lowing him to slip through my fingers, and
all through giving heed TO the shallow adj
vice OF that oiticious Pllchard. How could
have been such a donkey
Another train would leave in a couple of
hours. Possibly Nimblenib might resume
his journey on that, thinking to break his
trail by the interval. There was nothing
better than to wait and see.
The time passed slowly but my patience
was rewarded at last.
A carriage dove up, and who should step
out but the person | was seeking, followed
by lady TO whom he offered his arm.
advanced and laid my hand upon his
shoulder.
Il have orders to arrest you" said.
The man seemed thunderstruck and the
lady uttered a scream.
81 have done nothing TO make me amena-
bic 10 the law" said the former, recovering
himself with an effort.
"Iou'll have an opportunity to prove
that" l answered, "but my present duty is to
take you into custody"
Before had time to answer stout, florid