River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-09-11

len minutes AdbGE Otcupltu IuG
burial casket intended for the rabbits |
remains and was speeding southwark |
as one of the chief features, external
~, at least. of the contents of the locked
and sealed luggage van.
Luckily. / WAS small man. while the
casket was designed for very large and
corpulent body.
still. had no notion of remaining IN
such quarters any longer than was nee
essary. and, therefore, speedily set my
self at liberty and began to take In the
situation.
4 thousand miles or thirty hours
Journey. was before me. but / was not
unprepared for the emergency.
There had been room for provisions
and wine in the casket.
| had effected my release with little |
or no noise.
The van was but dimly lighted by
some stout Stats or blinds over each
side sliding door
The interior was stacked two-thirds
full Of travelling paraphernalia of every
q scription-
My own receptacle had been slowed
on the top of a pile of stuff in the re-
hottest corner, BY my special instruc-
tions.
After seating myself on the top of my
wooden case and aceustoming my eyes
to the dim light / looked searchingly
around for the red chest.
There it was. also on top of heaped
luggage at the opposite end of the van,
with its smaller and less pretentious
cOmpa Mon chest at its side.
That il had not been thrust in under
meath or at random was doubtless the
result Of a surreptitious fee to one of
the p0r.ers on the part of the Countess
or one of her servants
How long and patiently ! watched
that red chest.
II must have been for hours and
hours. but held out
At last l detected the sound of a
movement within it and noiselessly
Slipped behind my burial case, while
still keeping on the lookout
A few moments later the false straps
surrounding the chest had marked
sham in their construction when first
setting eyes on it-gave way, the great
lid was raised and bushy human head
peered out from the interior.
Then there were shoulders added to
the head. then body, until at last the
entire robber-yes. the mysterious dep
redator himself-rose into view and be-
gan to take in his surroundings with
practiced eye.
He was a small man, yet seemingly
concentrated bunch Of muscle. sinew
and nerve.
The requisite tools were in his hands,
and after stretching himself he proceed
ed upon his vandalism with methodical
calmness and expertness, as if perfectly
aware that there was plenty of time.
Box after box, trunk after trunk was
ruthlessly broken open and discrimi-
nately ritied, after being judiciously Sc
lected from among those Of less promis-
ing and encouraging general appear
ance.
In his special choice of plumber the
rascal was no less critical. with par
ticular penchant for iewelry, laces, fans,
expensive robes, money or whatever
else Of the sort came in his way; and
these he would carefully stow away in
his red chest, with due regard for re-
serving enough room for his own ac-
commodation when he should see IL
to resume his hiding, which would
probably be when near the journeys
end.
lie even smashed open his own com
papion chest. turning its rather insig-
nificant contents upside down. which
was. of course, merely TO serve as a
blind.
He had continued his work uninter-
ruptedly for couple of hours when he
desisted. and. making himself comfort
able, proceeded to refresh himself with
some biscuits and flask of liquor,
which he drew from the bosom of his
coarse serge blouse
] began 10 pick my way down towards
him with the stealthiness of a cat.
In spite of my precautions l displaced
a valise and set it rolling.
Knife in hand. he was on his feet in
an instant
But, with the fall of the valise, had
precipitated myself upon him.
There was but short struggle; the
dagger went flying from his grip, and
then | had him down. gasping and
crashing his teeth. but powerless-
Having finished dis.rming him
propped him up. and presenting a cooked
revolver to his forehead demanded full
confession.
lie remained silently mute at first,
but l instantly fired, though gauging
/ the shot SO that wag Of his head be-
/ friended him to the extent Of my bullet
/ onty nipping notch in his ear.
l cooked and ieveled the weapon
afresb. as If for trucr aim.
Then he weakened, making full con-
+ fessiOn.
I Briefly, il was to this effect:
I Not only had he been the Countess
Rustanovitch's instrument in all the
+ preceding robberies in the van. but he
I also admitted she was the head OF
band Of criminals which had long ter
rorized the region in the vicinity of
Odessa
Her dilapidated castle was at head
quarters.
The band was exceptionally powerful.
its uniform success thus far being chief
ly due to the intelligence and cunning
Of their noble patroness and the ex-
IRENE circumspection attendant upon
achieving a membership, every intend
ing member being subjected TO a severe
preliminary examination By the lady
chief herself who would then appOr-
tion such nefarious work as she had
planned
Tie simple plan was for the thief to
stuff the chest in which he had been
concealed with as many valuables as it
would accommodate, in addition to his
own personality, and then lock himself
in 1t again before reaching O9essa.
/ where Nine. Rnstanoviteh or her agent IS
would obtain the luggage on the pre-
/ sentation Of the certificate. raise a
| great clam0r on account of the minor
box having been rified. and carry of the
red chest " her castle for the purpose