The morning news., 1889-04-11
A HAND ON HIS SHOULDER.
Harry D. Darby Arrested while Steal
ing from a Letter.
from the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
Ia the room where the registered packages
are received and arranged for distribution
at the city postoftice, Harry d. Darby was
busy yesterday afternoon asserting a pile
of packages that stood before him on a
table. 1t was few minutes after o'clock,
and there was no one in the room save this
clerk, a middle-aged man, with long,
black beard, trimmed in a peculiar manner,
and with suit of black cloth, cut in clerical
fashion.
He was working slowly, and as he picked
up each package he critically examined its
sealing. Finally he reached one that had
been sealed very carelessly, and glancing
furtively over his shoulder, through an
open door at the opposite side of the room,
he slowly and carefully inserted his finger
between the flap and the envelope and be-
gan to tear it open.
1t was an operation requiring infinite
care, for the man evidently did not desire
to tear the envelope, and he worked very
slowly. Bit by bit he loosened the gum
that sealed the package until he finally
succeeded in opening it without tearing
it. Then he drew out its contents and ua-
folding paper, revealed pile of green
backs. They were mostly large bills, but
hastily running over several $50 notes with
his fingers he selected three $50 bills and a
$40 bill aud slipped them iuto his pocket.
At the same moment Inspector Troy of
the postoffice department. who had been
observing the whole transaction entered
the room softly, and, walking on tip-toe,
crossed over to Darby. The latter was still
intent on his work. He had put portion
of the money back in the opened package,
and was reaching his hand for a mucilage
bottle, when the man behind him suddenly
laid heavy hand on his shoulder and
quietly remarked, Il guess want you."
A stroke of lightning would not have had
more terrific effect on Darby. The reg
istered package fell from his nerveless
grasp, his cheeks blanched with terror, and
be staggered back against the table and
clutched it for support, while he gazed
horror-stricken at the intruder. The latter
evidently did not like the dramatic scene,
for, in business-llke way, he began: 81
am Inspector Troy of this department. !
am sorry, but have to inform you that
you are under arrest" Then he picked up
the registered package that Darby had let
fall, and taking the arm of his prisoner,
led him from the room. The couple were
joined in the hall by Inspector Smith and
Assistant Inspector Pulsifer, and the pris-
oner was taken to the formers room.
For some time after his arrest Darby was
almost speechless with excitement, and as
he accompanied the officers to their room
in the postoffice building, he trembled VIC
lently. Once inside the room, however, he
recovered himself somewhat, and when
questioned by Inspector Smith he first
hesitated for an answer, and then falter-
ingly admitted his guilt. The Inspector
held the ritled package in his hand as he
briefly examined the prisoner, and to the
latter denial was impossible. He said, how
ever, that it was his first offense, and at
tempted to excuse himself on the ground
that he had loaned money to men in the
postoffice, and was trying to get it back.
When Darby had concluded his confes-
sion he was searched and S562 were found
in his pockets, most of which the inspectors
believe was taken from registered pack
ages. He was then taken before Judge
Mills and was held on bond of 81, 200 for a
bearing this morning, Christian Wagner
a merchant of Seventh street, becoming his
bondsman