The record-union., 1894-12-01
AT CONVERLY PINES.

fCopyright, 1894, by Edgar L. Wakeman. All
rights reserved
Our Ten Travellers having accidentally
fallen upon the dis cussion of the relative
value of unframed talent in the various
vocations and professions of life, little
tokens with which we had become ia
miliar in each other made it clear that the
Chronic Traveller could be relied upon
for an interesting reminiscence in this
direction. We accordingly rallied him
upon his perfdy in so long Withholding
an evenings entertainment, and finally.
after many apologies from him for the
personal character of his recollecti ons,
we found ourselves listening with deep
attention to the following romance Of
detective.
Allan Dingleton was undoubtedly the
greatest detective who ever lived. For
four years, previous to 1880, held po-
sition of confidence and trust under him.
1T was peculiar position, insomuch that
while my services were not those of ade-
tective, vet ali of the detectives art,
and all the tremendous condolences Of the
most important private detective system
in the world, were from my peculiar re-
lations to this extraordinary man laid
like an open book before me.
| was present at his most important
councils; was his constant travelling COM
panion in all lands, and, though a young
man, believe l was, as no living man
had ever been, his trusted adviser ana
friend.
On the subject which has just been un-
der discussion here, Allan Dingleton had
views of his own. He believed that for
each condition, each situation, each COM
plication, bearing upon the ferretlng out
of crime, there was SOmeW here nature,
whether trained or unframed, precisely
fitted for each individual task. His mar
velous success in his profession came
through his ability to put the right man
in the right place at the right time; in
other words, from his perfect Judg-
ment OF men and their individual capa-
bilities.
Before proceeding with my story 1
cannot resist recalling his judgment OF
journalists, and particularly OF report
ers.
''Ah, Ralph Euston," he would say to
me with a gentle shake of his knobby
head, curious half closing of his kindly
grey eyes and a pursing OF his lips into
smile of wise protestatlon, you neWspa-
per fellows are natural detectives. No
man can be a successful reporter without
unconsciously being a detective. Ener-
gy, dauntiessness, persistence, cunning
OF the best sort, almost faulLless Judg-
ment, keen perception OF human mo-
tives, with the added endless friction
which enables lightning-liEe conclu-
sions, are all in the able reporters make
up. In the best sense, he Is the only
true detective who exists"
"Why, then," | would ask, "do you
not make use OF them among your hun
dreds of employees"
BECAUSE" and here the grim yet
kindly old fellow would always laugh
heartily, their positive genius for un
raveling political, social and criminal
mysteries is only surpassed by their un-
shaken and unshakabie Loyalty to their
news instinct. There is not a known hu-
man hardihood or sacrifice they Will not
undergo TO work out likely theory; but
the instant they have achieved victory,
they cease being detectives. What they
have gained musts sbe flashed before all
the world"
L was naturally proud that had stood
the test OF seli-control IN this regard. lie
had found me an ambitious literary
young fellow; the successful correspond
ent, with a rowing commission, OF a great
daily journal. Something which L had
written had pleased him. He immedi-
ately engaged me, leaving my Journals
tic connection undlsturbed.
Then, as / afterward learned, he had
contrived all manner OF shrewd devices
to entrap me into what he termed
newspaper explosion" Superintend-
ents and Assistant SuperlntendentS
rushed at me with all manner OF conf
dences. / was given keys with which to
unlock wondrous card houses of sensa-
ton. | merely thanked this one or that
one appreciatively for their friendliness,
perhaps occasionally remarking:
"W ell WE'LL That would be good for
one, two or three columns (as the case
might mel If l were stllI IN the neWspa-
per business"
/ often burned to utilize these false
clues They were most adroltly and
temptingly placed before me. But by
mighty effort / did resist, and so stolldly
withal that the open sesame and complete
trust. respect and, L feel sure affection,
finally came.
1t was all a wonderful literary study to
me such as few men have access 10. /
simply strove TO be worthy of my oppor-
portunity, and in this way but a short
time elapsed when whatever abilities /
possessed occasionally became valuable
10 this great detective system.
There were places where my acquaInt-
ance, my journalistic connections, and
even my own family and social position,
gave me the character OF address not
usually available in the detective service,
The old chief, too. was SO gentle in this
requests. Nothing came from him as a
demand. Would l do this, or that, as a
nersonal favor To him? This was ever the
way with Mr. Allan Dingleton, and
when affection goes hand in hand with
duty, ones best pace Is easily reached.
1t was not strange, then. that L had
achieved success in the various cases
had been given, or that, while not holding
the position of detective, with my news
paper schooling, to my advantage and
upder the direct guidance OF this master
spirit, who always held that detective
acumen consisted solely OF the sensible
application of common sense" l soon be-
came fairly we'll trained in the practical
work of the detective.
This was the condition Of things nearly
four years after had become Allan Din
gIeton's confidential employe and almost
constant companion, when, one morning
in early spring, great diamond robbery
had occurred in the city.
AS a consequence every available oper-
alive. as the detective is termed in these
great American detective institutions,
had been hastily dispatched from the
agency. Even book-keepers, stenogra-
11bers and record clerks were required in
the unusual and imperative demand to
cover all suspected points and parties.
7 had taken the early morning mail
from the postman to Mr.. Dingleton in his
private Office.
While we were jointly running over the