River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-02-27
A DETECTIVE DETECTED.
John Buttsrworth's Susceptibility
Proves His Ruin.

John Buttsrworth's Susceptibility
Proves His Ruin
John ButterwOrth, of Oldcastle, es-
sayed 70 be a detective. believing that
he was not only qualified TO undertake
the arduOus duties connected with the
post, but also that he should prove him
self more efficient than the ordinary
run of the Force. But, unfortunately.
the authorities at Scotland Yard either
did not see it in the same light or other
wise had already a sufiiciency of capable
men on their staff.
As perseverance is said to overcome
all obstacles, so ButterwOrth still de-
termined to persevere and to urge Sir
- - TO accept his services But
his case seemed hopeless, and had il not
been for a sudden happy thought, this
narrative Of his adventure would never
have been written lie was distantly
related 70 Mr.. Jenkins, the senior mem
Der for North Midlandshire. and TO him
did he appeal for his influence and as
sistance in the matter. Mr.. jenkins
resided during the session at Morley 5
Hotel, Trafalgar Square, which, as is
well-knOwn, is in close COntiguity %
Scotland Yard. lie at once took up the
case of his young friend most assidu-
ously. and proved quite a thorn in the
flesh 10 the authorities of the yard. -
Whether they were at last inclined to
give Butterworth a trial. fearing lest
they might be losing good man, or, as
was certainly more probable. that they
were wearied out with his incesSant i'm
portunities, is not recorded. but the sub
joined letter was the outcome of the
correspondence;
SCOILASD- YARD. LCSDOS. S-w. Aug, 1855
SIE-In reply to your letter Of the a0th ult.,
ava requested by sir -- 20 inform you that
YoUr application has beeu granted. and that
You are hereby appointed a constable in the
Criminal Investigation Department You
will proceed at once, on receipt OF this. 20
the Oldcastie police court. where you Will
be administered the necessary oath by one
of the presiding justices Of the peace
You will hold yourself in readiness for ans
services Vh oh may be required 81 yOu. and
which Will be communicated 10 you direct
from here Your Obedient servant. a Il
To Mr. John Butterworth. Oldcastle.
With what qualification Butterworth
received this epistle may very readily
imagined. He had persevered in his
application with such zest that he had
been voted quite a nuisance by the
clerk who had to attend to his CORE
spOndence and that of his friend, the
member from North Midlandshire. How
he wondered, and-as was only reason
able-with some trepidatiOn, what his
work might be. and also how he should
acquit himself OF the task. Whether
his first business might be TO apprehend
some violent character. perh APPS a burg
lar, who would probably be armed with
revolver or bowie knife, and who would
not hesitate for one moment to Use them
ifneedfuL But he had not long to wait
in that weariest Of all trials, suspense,
but two or three days at the most.
One morning, at the police court a
deciphered telegram was handed 10
him The contents were as follows:
young lady. dark complcxioncd and OF
rather progressing appearance. has left
Kings Cross by the 1893 train this morn ing
booked through 10 Oldcststle. Watch her
movements. and note where she locates her.
self Do not arrest her. but get-under any
pretext-into Conver satiOu, and inform the
Oldcastle Office with Jhe result
Here followed a description of her
dress. This 10 all appearance was plain
sailing enough. and ButterwOrth eagerly
awaited the time when he should have
the oppOrtu nifty Of displaying his tact.
Principally to a minute did the train
glide nOiselcSsly into the station. and
then Immediately commenced that in
describable confusion and noise when il
discharged its incOngruOus load on To
the platform. a scene so well known at
all large city railway stations
Butterworth speedily recognized a
young lady whose appearance CORE
sponded with the description he had
received from Scotland Yard. utcould
she be the same? surely" he solilo-
pulsed. 1.-The London police must be al
fault" He thought this more particu-
larly after casual glance at her face.
He remarked that the lady was accord
ing to his idea-very lovely; she had
such large. dark-brOwn. and languishing
eyes, which appeared to gaze on him,
though but for an instant Moreover
she had such a sweetly innocent ex-
preston. She bore. however. a dis
treSsed and worried look. and gazsd
round her like some timid and
hunted-dOwn animal. She was not
elegantly attircd-a lady Enthusiastically
in manners Would a thief, he quer-
ried, be 80 grandly and faultlessly
dressed2 If 50. ne was entirely ignO-
rant Of the habits Of the London swell
nicb. Should he address her. he won
dered, and what preteXt had he for it?
AS she moved away. Butterworth fol-
lowed wondering the while what plan
10 adopt should she engage cab She
did not leave the station directly. but
proceeded To the left-luCgsCe Office,
where she had her pOrtmanteau de-
posted. How he watched her move
ments: in fact he was getting faSci-
mated with her charms. and did not find
IL, by any means. an unpleasant Occupa-
ton As the lady was leaving this
Office Butterworth accosted her. lie
had not much difficulty in doing this
without appearing rude. for she had
dropped glove. and the restoring il
was Of itself sufficient introduction tC
break the Hence.
Madam" he said. ALLOW me-" The
sad and grieved look on her face cleared
for an instant
'.Oh, thanks, sir. How very care
lessly Of me. l am awfully annoyed
and scared. though il was through my
own stupidity. ! was to have been met
by some friends on my arrival. but
find 7 have given them the wrong time.
shall have now nearly two hours 70
wait as don't know their address,, nor
where to find them"
II am sorry 10 hear that, replied But
terworth: very, indeed Any service
that can render. l shall be but toe
pleased"
"How good and generous OF you" did
she say. with some show OF feeling
well, if you are not a stranger like
myself. would you kindly direct me to
quiet and respectable restaurant. Some
place Ehere | shall he pretty much to
myself? The observation-disclosures a. toe
tislsen appear 30 crowded.