The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-10

soon az case OF this sort was reported
ia the papers he at once posted 10 tDe
scene or the robbery and finding on,
ine gentleman who had been impose,
upon, undertook 10 discover the criminal
and recover the money for as liberal a
per centage as the loser should be Will
ing TO pay.
tie described his method OF procedure
Having made a bargain with the unfor-
tunate victim as TO the amount that he
would he willing to give. which ranged
from twenty-five to fifty per cent OF the
amount lost, he started on his search for
the criminals. In his long experience he
had become familiar with the names
personality, appearances and territory
through which these men worked, and
IN many cases had photographs Obtained
from rogues' gallerys OF the parties for
whom he was In search Having run
them to earth he had them arrested. and
then notified them that all he sought
they had thus wrongfully obtained. As
soon as they. discovered that the net
which was thrown around them was
strong enough to hold them, they gem
orally made terms. II they offered to
return the whole OF the money which
they had obtained. he, on his part, OF
fered 10 consent In behalf of the prosecu-
ton that they should be released on
bail. if they could procure the same, ana
that when the case was called for
trial he. as the prosecuting witness, and
his clients would fail TO appear. ana. as
IN the majority OF cases, they were non
residents of the State in which the cul-
prt was arrested. there would be no
way TO compel such appearance. Inc
terms being agreed upon, the culprits
would arrange with their friends out
side that bail should be furnished, and
this was often done by obliging indi-
Niduals who, upon having the money
placed in their hands TO indemnify them.
would give the requisite ball. With the
acquieScense of the prosecuting witness
this bail was made as low as was con
venient. but that was matter with
which the detective had nothing 10 90.
HIS DUTY.
The money. or as much of 1t as II was
possible to secure, was then paid over u
the detective. The bail was given and
the prisoner was released, and. IL is
needless 10 say, when the ease was
called the bail was forfeited. The dctec-
tive stated that not being public Of
fcer, but merely employed to secure me
return Of the stolen property, he con-
sidered that his duty was done when
this result was accomplished. and If the
state was obliged in any cas-" 70 content
! itself with the bail thus forfeited, ana
| so the criminal escaped, the detective
I felt no responsibility. he submitted as
ques ton Of ethics TO the informant or
| The Times whether he was culpable-
question which the gentleman states he
thought unnecessary TO answer.
The detective further stated that as
the result Of some years of experience IN
this business he could say that he sell
dom failed TO secure the return of the
whole. or the greater part, OF the money
thus stolen. 70 himself there came "A
liberal compensation, TO credulous in
VestOTs a return Of part. at least, OF
what they had lost, and what was
counted AS above all most valuable,
oblivion as TO a very Notifying expe-
Renee.
The gentleman told me that he was
very much impressed with the shrewd-
ness and activity. as well as the great
skill which the stories Of tho detective $
experience disclosed. As to his admira-
ton and respect for the business he re-
/ served the right TO his own opinion. lie
! felt sufficiently interested. however. IN
] his travelling companion to ask his
name, and on parting he received MS
card. which was inscribed -. T. Nor
ris Private Detective, Springfield. Ill"
| awaiting proceedings in the city Jail.
Pa d His Lawyers.
When Norris paid his bill at Fords
Yesterday ne apparently had but a small
amount Of money. 1t is well known
that he paid Mr. ID. G. Richardson son,
in cash before nc would undertake his
case. and il is supposed that he paid
Mr.. &. Y. Meredith a like amount.
Major Poe, chief Of police. yesterday
! received several letters from people who
! had been V1cijnls of the gold brick
swinde. but declined to make known
their names.