The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-11-15
DETECTED BY PECULIAR HABITS,
Tho Only Clew That Led to the Arrest 81
Pretty Bracelet Thief

LhO oOtSNeANO VIM aiItottu tutkl
foreign defaulter the other day didn't
have much of a clew," remarked a re
porter to one of Detroit's ablest detec-
tives. 1.-The peculiar habit the fel,
low had of placing his finger length
wise along the side of his nose, in a
contemplative manner, was the only
thing that gave him away"
''The fact that he entered his real
name on the register of the hotel had
very much to do with it, replied the
detective. II once spotted criminal
with less of a clew; however, | must
add that | stumbled on her by the mer-
est accident"
"A woman, eh2" asked the reporter,
instinctively reaching for his note
book.
Eyes, and have sometimes thought
that a woman is harder to trip up
than a man. You see, you can't fol.
low them everywhere because they
are so dainty in their ways and so
secluded in their habits"
"A young girl was she9" asked the
reporter.
''And as pretty as a picture. She
looked too 'goody goody' TO steal even
pin. A lady who lives not five
blocks from where we are now sitting
had diamond bracelet stolen from
her room. 1t was worth a thousand
dollars, and what was strange about
the affair, the mate to it was not taken,
though the two lay side by side on her
bureau. The lady put the case into
my hands She suspected a child's
nurse whom she had engaged one day,
and who disappeared the next.
''She knew that her name was Mary,
and that she was still in her teens, and
that was about all she did know. She
could not describe the girls features,
except in general way, and was not
positive as to the color of either her
eyes or her hair. After persistent
questioning l got from her one of the
peculiarities of the girl. Short though
her stay had been, she saw her on three
different occasions seated by the win
dow. She was looking out of it with
an distracted air, and each time had
the fingers of her right hand pressed
on her left wrist as if counting the
pulsations.
That wasn't much of clew," re-
marked the reporter.
Not unless l happened to stumble
upon her in one of her absorbed
moods, replied the detective. For
tunately,. | did that very thing. I
might add, too, that the lady allowed
me to have the other bracelet, which
was rather curious in its workmanship.
Inside of ten days L had the girl in my
clutches.
Chance must have favored you9"
suggested the reporter.
10 great extent, of course" was
the admission. II had an idea that
she had not left Detroit, and SO was
on the alert wherever went. On the
first occasion saw her she sat oppo-
site to me in a street car. 1t was rain
ing and she was looking out of the
window. An absorbed look crept into
her face and presently saw the fingers
of her right hand glide to her left
wrist. 1t might have been accidental,
you know, but l was pretty sure of my
prey"
Did you follow herr" asked the re-
porter.
"Of course 1 did. She was not
child's nurse then, but was employed
in a paper box factory. l followed
her from the factory to her boarding
house, around which l fingered for
three or four days, not positive enough
to make the arrest. On Saturday after
noon l saw her leave the house with
another girl. l followed them, and
we all three brought up at one of the
theatres where we purchased tickets
for matinee.
East Lynne was on the boards,
and twice during the play saw her
mechanically assume the attitude pc
culiar with her. When the perform
ance was over l touched her on the
shoulder as we were passing through
the corridor.
" Beg pardon 1 said, but didn't
you drop this2 and held out tie other
bracelet.
''She turned around and when her
eyes rested on the bracelet she was I'M
able to repress scream. She grew
deathly white, but rallied in moment.
Yes, she quietly said. How stu
pid in me to drop it and how fortunate
in you to find itl'
" Mary l gravely said, and she
started when l mentioned her name,
If you dropped bracelet like this we
had better look for it, don't you think9
This is the one you were kind enough
to leave on Mrs. DIS dressing bu-
reau when you stole the other one.
She would have fallen in a swoon.
but ! caught her. She rallied again
and looked around, but her friend had
deserted her.
Must l go to jailf she piteously
asked, her face white with lear. her
arms stretched full length in front of
her, the tips of her fingers OH her left
wrist.
For q little while, ut least, l com
miseratingly said. 1t will all depend
on Mrs d.; leniency. Mary, why
did you do it,
"'Oh. why does one do anything
that is wickedl' she dGspairingly
asked"
WAS she tried and sentencedf' in
quired the reporter.
mo. She returned the bracelet,
and Mrs. ID. refused to prosecute her.
The girl reformed and afterward mar
ricd respectable well-to-do fellow.
| hadn't much to work on, had Il'
well, no, you hadn't, replied the
rcnorfpr s'Still IL xvae n n,arlxe1 ne