The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-19
A PRIVATE HOUSE
BOLDLY INVADED.
4 Desperate Man Enters at the
Rev0lver's Point,
Three Pals Watch tbs Front Entranee-Of Officer
Scott Appears in the DraWa-What
Was the Purposai

One of the boldest invasions into private
household, and, SO far as the motive was
concerned, the most mysterious for many a
day, took place last evening at 10 Grove
street at the point of glistening, threaten
ing revolver, manned by desperate man
with steady hand and piercing eye.
At No. 10 is the dressmaking establish
ment and the home of Mrs. II. Lambert,
wife Of sailor. who is most Of his time at
sea She lives in part OF the house and uses
the front rooms for her business. She had
two or three callers last evening, among
whom was MIR. Knight. and he 1t was who
had to bear the brunt of tile unceremonious
visit.
1t was just O'Clock when quick, sharp
rap at the front door, followed by vigor-
GUS ring at the bell, aroused the inmates.
Mrs. Lambert asked Mr.. Knight to step TO
the door and see who was there, which he
did. Hardly had he loosened the lock when
the door flew open and in stepped man
wearing dark suit Of clothes and q derby
hat 1t was not the elegant costume nor
the fashionable tile that held Knights at
tention. The bright barrel of a revolver did
that and proved all the attraction knight
needed.
the man muttered. Knight did not ans wer.
He did not need to, for the stranger seemed
thoroughly at home until knock came to a
rear door.
You go to the door and see who 1t is" be
continued, keeping Knight covered all the
time with the yawning muzzle of his gun.
The events on the outside were every
whit as exciting to several people as those
on the inside had been to KniPh hit and Mrs.
Lamberts other guests. Officer w. ID.
Scott, who had been patroling Grove street
all evening, had been attracted to the house
by the mysterious movements of three per-
sons who stood at the front door. They did
not enter nor go away, and seemed 10 have
no purpose there but to watch; so lie
watched. Pretty soon he saw a woman
leave The house by side gate opening from
the rear yard into an alley. He did not try
to stop her, as she ran bareheaded and she
did not see him. He watched five minutes
longer and found himself enforced by the
arrival of two citizens. After hurried con-
sultatiun the new arrivals were stationed in
front, while Officer Scott went to the rear
to investigate. he entered by the same
gate the woman had left for help, and after
jumping high fence, found himself in the
rear of No. 10. He forced an entrance and
made his way through the darkened rooms
used as kitchen and for working.
He paused moment on hearing a low
in which he thought it was. 1t was his rap
ping that Knight and the man with the gun
had heard. and he was soon to be
added In the latter's invitation to face
the weapon. Just then the door opened,
and Scott saw at the further side the in
ruder. He jumped for him, but Knight
was in the way, and that gave him time to
escape. All this took place really in the
hallway. and this was an additional advan-
tage for fight.
The stranger jumped for the door, ran
into the three men on the outside, all OF
whom stumbled downstairs into the street.
The man who had been in the house caught
a car, and the two others escaped in differ
ent directions. What the purpose Of the
visit a: that house so early In the evening
could have been Is mystery alike to all
concerned in it. Mrs. Lambert said she
hardly thought It was for robbery, as four
men would not be likely to interest them
selves enough in lonely dressmaker's money
to make them commit SO bold robbery.
The police are Inclined to look upon it as
some practical joke being perpetrated by
some one she well knGws They admit it
might have been for some purpose of re-
senge, but hardly for robbery.