Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-07
THE MYSTERIOUS DETECTIVE.
He Caught the Long Looked for Tascott,
but Lost Him Through an Oversight.
Tom the Chicago Tribune.
'Who IL the new man on the force?''

From the Chicago Tribune.
who is the new man on the forceT'
There was no answer. None Of the officers
assembled at headquarters knew anything con-
corning him, except that the inspector had
brought him in quietly few evenings before
and introduced him as Sergeant Fetchem. The
strange inappropriateness Of such name for
detective had struck them at once, but the new
man had gone to work without Q word, as If
thoroughly familiar with his duties, and his
first job had been the arrest Of burglar whom
he caught in the act and overpowered, bring
ing him to the station alone, despite the fact
that the prisoner was a burly, powerful fellow,
nearly twice the size Of his captor.
Every day since his accession to the force he
had signalized himself by some unheard Of ex-
plot. He had discovered a nest Of counterfeit
ers, arrested and put in jail hitherto unsus-
pected anarchist whose attic was full of dyna-
mite bombs and located o bank embezzler who
had einded the police for two whole years. All
this he had done. as matter OF course and had
listened impassively TO the encomiums passed
upon his singular skill and adroitness. The
other members of the detective corps began to
grow jealous, and a watch was put upon his
actions. He had no difficulty in evading them
in the performance of his duties, but they made
the discovery that he was closeted with the in
spector for about five minutes every Monday
cover the object Of these conferences. if such
they were, for no conversation between the
chief and the new detective ever reached the
ears of the listeners on the outside.
On Monday morning, Immediately after one
of these secret interviews, Sergt. Fetchem was
seen to leave the Office and board an outward
bound train. He was not seen again during
the week. Monday morning came again and
he had not yet turned up. The inspector was
visibly uneasy.
IF he is not here in less than hour all is
lost!' he muttered. as he glanced at his watch
and went to the door to leok up and down the
street. 1t was showing furiously.
Seized with a sudden impulse he hailed
passing cab and was driven rapidly to railway
station in the suburbs, reaching II just in time
to get aboard train coming into the city. As
he entered the forward door of q car he saw a
man rapidly go out through the rear door, jump
off the train and disappear in the binding
snowstorm.
With a cry of dismay the inspector rushed
down the aisle. When half way through the
was the motionless figure of Sergeant Fetchem.
1t was in half erect position, with one arm
extended. The eyes were gazing into vacancy
with lack luster expression.
TOO late " exclaimed the inspector bitterly.
Fifty thousand dollars gone! That man who
left the car moment ago was Tascott!"
The passengers crowded around. They ex-
planned that the sergeant few minutes before
had made sudden but apparently weak effort
to fasten himself with chain to his prisoner,
but the latter had quickly risen and grappled
with him. The sergeant had nearly succeeded
in his design when suddenly he seemed to
stiffen. His grasp relaxed, his arm remained
stretched out, CLASSY look came into his eyes,
and his whole frame became motionless. The
prisoner broke away from him and was out of
the car before the spectators had recovered
from their surprise.
Such was the story they told the inspector.
what is the matter with the officer? Is he
dead?" they inquired.
He has run down." groaned the inspector
'Fooli Idiot that was not to have met him
one station beyond here, This detective" he
explained, was a cunning piece of machinery.
1t took Edison year to manufacture him. and
paid him $4,000. He warned me that if
ever failed to wind him up at regular hour he
would be ruined. Sergeant Fetchem was
seven-day detective. wound him up as usual
last Monday morning and sent him out to
search for Tascott. l might have known" he
added bitterly, that if he hadn't caught him
he would have reported on time. This failure
is all owing to my blind neglect. Tascott's
gone again now, and he'll stay gone
The inspector looks long and mournfully at
the wonderful and costly piece Of machinery.
now ruined forever
He was q wooden detective" he said at last,
but he was worth dozen Of the ordinary
kind :"