The morning call., 1893-02-03
SHOT THE MIRROR.
A Burglar Frightened by
His Reflection.
HE FIRED FIVE BULLETS
Bold but Unsuccessful Attempts to
Plumber a Kearny-Street Clothing
Store-The Robbers Escape.

Special Policeman Linville. whose beat Is
on Kearny street, stopped at the Hub
clothing store at II 10 O'clock last light to
touch the indicator by which the proprie-
tors are able TO tell how often he tries the
doors during the hours of darkness.
The little machine began TO click in re-
Spouse to his touch. and had hardly ceased
when the report of pistol sounded through
the big store. 1t was followed by another
and another in quick succession until the
astOniShed officer had counted five.
Lights were burning in the store. but Lin
vile could see neither the fash of the pistol
nor the person by whom 1t had been fired.
On every side were counters heaped with
clothing, bat there was no one in sight.
The doors were locked and exit through
the windows on kearny street were out of
the question. Information of the mysterl-
Gus shooting was sent 10 police headquarters,
and several officers were detailed 10 assist
Linvllle in his search for the author OF the
reports.
While great crowd gathered around the
doors and blocked the sidewalks tile police
entered the store and turned on the electric
light.
Then tim search began. Heaps OF gar
ments were prodded and uncovered. and 10
old maid ever looked beneath her bed,
fearing to find a hOrrid man, with more
care than the officers looked under shelves
and tables, while the throng outside greeted
their unsuccessful efforts with sarcastic aud
eXasperating applause.
The first discovery was the finding Of
coat and vest OF the unknown intruder, who
had taken them off In order that he might
move with more freedom.
They lay in heap at the foot of table
far back in the store. Near them lay a
jimmy and three steel drills of different
hOFtnp nOiPS
safes.
Behind the counter along the north wall
lot of fine underwear had been thrown.
II had been taken from shelf near by and
was probably abandoned because the bur-
glar had all that he could carry.
Near the middle of the store the searchers
found two large leather valises. stuffed to
bursting with underwear and neckteS.
All these were found, but not the burglar.
I'VE must 90 downstairs" said Linyille.
Well probably find something there"
And they did. At the foot OF the stairs Is
an enormous mirror that extends from the
floor 10 the ceiling.
Its glitterinR surface was without crack
or flaw when it was last looked into by its
owners. Now 1t WAS cracked from side TO
side. and the reason why the shots had been
fired was apparent.
The burglar hearing the sound of the iu-
dteator had started down stairs. pistol in
hand, 10 make his escape through a rear
window. and, seeing his reflection in the
glass, blazed away, under the impression
that he was about TO be attacked.
He passed through rear window,
climbed upon the roof of a shed and by
that means managed to reach an open tran
som over door in an adjoining saloon.
He was seen crawling through the tran
som By the occupants of a box, who also
saw aim run through a narrow passage 10
the ladies entrance" in Hardy place.
II IA las of ba
police had not the CHEST of a clew to his
identity