The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1893-09-22
miscellaneous.
CAUGHT!

Years ago the bill clerk OF one OF the
Liverpool banks was going from one
business house to another in that
busy commercial city collecting bills
of exchange which had been previous
ly left for acceptance according to Gus
tom.
These he placed in one or other of
the sections of a long pocketbook
made for the purpose, which he car
ried in the tail pocket of his coat.
About noon he called at Heywood's
bank and received some bills, and hav-
ing put them in their proper places in
his book he slipped it into his tail
pocket as usual, and keeping his hand
upon it fastened to the outer door.
He put up his umbrella, placed his
hand upon his book, as was his habit,
and kept it there till he reached the
door of a merchants office at the ex-
change There he drew out his hand
and closed the umbrella.
Only few seconds were occupied in
doing this, and not a soul was visible
anywhere, as the rain was still descend
ing in torrents, yet when he put his
hand into his pocket the book was gone
as if by magic.
He had seen no one and neither felt
nor heard anything, and yet the book
with all its contents was gone-full
and practically almost as good as gold.
What should he do? Indeed what
could he do?
Quick as his feet could carry him he
made for the central police office hard
by and reported his great loss, but
with little hope that any good could
come of it.
They proved, however, equal to the
occasion. They telegraphed to Lon
don, and found that that very morn
ing one of the most skillful of London
sharpers had taken train for Liver
pool, and seeing that the theft had
been so cleverly done they concluded
he was probably the thief.
Without, therefore, a moments de-
lay they wired to London a request
that an officer who knew him might
be sent down Immediately. No time
was lost in Scotland Yard and soon
after 6 o'clock IL keen eyed, intelligent
detective arrived in Liverpool.
With an instinct that rarely failed
to guide him Alright he made at once
for the general postoffice, hoping to
see the man he sought some time or
other before the night mail closed.
He was right. A little before Z
o'clock to his great joy he saw the
man he wanted.
To common eyes he certainly looked
wholly unlike thief, and few people
would have thought for moment he
could possibly be one.
He was handsomely dressed and
driving a splendid dogcart, with a
high stepping, mettlesome horse, and
going in the direction of the general
postofhce.
A few minutes and the dogcart pull
ed up at the postoffice registration de-
partment, and its gentlemanly looking
driver, handing the reins to the boy
in buttons at his side, dismounted and
took his place by the counter to await
his turn among the many who like
himself had letters to be registered.
Another minute and the detective
also entered, and placing himself so as
to see without being seen he calmly
watched his man.
He had not long to wait. The turn
of the city thief being come he handed
in for registration a large and evident
ly important letter, took the receipt
and moved to the door. Quick as
lightning the officer made for him,
and touching him on the shoulder
quietly said, II want YOU
Turning instantly and recognizing
an old acquaintance the thief said,
'Confound you =; but made no effort
to escape.
He was handed over to an ordinary
man in blue, who stood hard by the
door, and duly lodged in jail for the
night. The detective then returned
L n iS nd
to prove his official character asked
for the address on the letter, and it
was accordingly given.
Confident that he had now done all
that could be done for the present, he
reported progress to the Liverpool
police, went somewhere to dine, and
| then returned to London by the night
| train. Having snatched few hours
sleep at home, he was early on the
move to complete the business.
Long before z o'clock he was in a
highly respectable street, so highly
respectable that few would think a
thief could live there, and yet it was
the street to which the registered let
ter was addressed-the street in which
the polished thief resided.
There he waited to meet the post
man ON his round, before he could
possibly part with the letter, on the
getting of which his heart was set
The moment he appeared in sight he
hailed him and said:
81 am detective, as the card show
you proves. You have a large regis
tered letter for Mrs. Blank at -, III
this street. There is reason to believe
that letter contains the proceeds of a
robbery. When, therefore. you come
to -, ask that Mrs. Blank may kind
" come herself to the door to sign fol
it, and will do the rest"
The officer placed himself at the SIDE
of the door so as not to be seen. The
postman gave his double rap and did
as he had been requested. Mrs. BLANK
came to sign for the letter, and ne
sooner had she done SO than the de
with one hand and the letter with thu
other and said: =.
"You are my prisoner, and that ii
my letter.