The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-07-01

rob DR.. Van Schoonhoven' house, the
burglars entering by the very window
from which had removed the burglar
alarm. They did not succeed in secur-
ing any plumber, but were frightened
away before any valuablcs were found
Now, this attempted burglary was
similar to several others which had
taken place at some of the finest resi-
dences in town, in each caso following
only day or two after reception to
our ball similar to that at DR.. Van
Schoonhoven' IS house. AS it happened,
i'll every instance but ono l had been
guest at the entertainment, and had
almost begun to fear lest the people who
had invited me should regard me as a
bird Of evil omen and cease to request
the honor Of my presence" at their
houses.
Probably you are thinking of Major
Hoffman in connection with these rob-
berries?
I must confess that did not, though
I had occasion afterward to associate
him, moro or less directly, with all OF
them. had met him but once and for
short time only, and his name did not
occur to me until two weeks later, when
Senator Cox's daughter was married.
At the reception in the evening met
the major again, suave, polite but, as
before, suggesting Mephistopholes.
/ encountered him dozen times that
evening, on the back veranda, in the
conservatory, in the garden, till be-
gan to regard him as my evil genius.
Particularly did he hover in the neigh
borhood Of tho roomful Of silverware
and jewclry which comprised the we'd
ding gifts. Though I did not see him
touch them or hear him speals of them,
it seemed as if some irresistible fascina-
ton held him in their vicinity. think
others noticed it as well as |, for saw
them looking at him and remarking
upon his actions among themselves.
When left the house, the last person
I saw was the major, who went out
with me and left me at the corner be-
low, turning down the side street with
a wave Of his hand and CHEEKY Good
night, VanceiD
saw the major again that night, and
it happened in this wise: The moon
had gone down, and it was nearly 8
o'clock in the morning when, with two
friends, I stood in the garden in the
rear Of the senator's house under the
shadow of a large bush. / still wore
my evening dress, but 1 had soft hat
pulled down over my eyes and wore
dark overcoat. In my hand L held re-
volver, as did my two companions
In pursuance Of my project, it was
only minutes work to quietly open
the door at the rear Of the aeuse and
the glass door at the head of the stairs
within. Two minutes later we were in
the room with the wedding gifts. A
dim light burned in the chandelier, and
at the other side of the room the figure
of man lay upon sofa. I slipped over
to his side, and with my revolver close
to his temple signaled to my friends to
begin their work.
At the first soft clink Of the silver in
the bag, into which they were guarded
ly slipping the wedding gifts, the room
was suddenly flooded with light, and I
heard an oath from one Of my compan-
ions. I turned quickly, to see Major
Hoffman and three policemen standing
in the doorway covering us with revolv-
ers. had time only to see the major
smile triumphantly and nod in my di-
rection before my arms were seized from
behind, my pistol wrenched from my
hand, and with two sharp clicks of
locking handouts / was o prisoner The
major flung back his coat SO that could
see the police badge shining on his
waistcoat as he remarked:
Hardly expected to meet again to-
night, eh, Vance? You tried that bur-
glar alarm dodge once too often, let me
tell you. Gentlemen, you are my pris-
oners. -
AS before remarked, I am now TAX
ing rest from my social duties.
shall stay at this institution somewhat
less than e years, and there are eight
indictments am told, waiting to be
attended to when l leave. John Palm.
er Gavit in Montreal Herald.