Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-26
soMNAMBULISTIC ROBBERY.
An Old Detectives Story of the StranR-
est Experience of His Career.
From tn, Cincinnati Tribune


est Experience of His Career.
From the Cincinnati Tribune.
1.-The stIangest experience I ever had"
said well-known detective was in locat-
ing a sneak thief who systematically rob-
he'd a business mans residence. There had
been number of robberies, extending over
a considerable space of time. The servants
OF the house had been changed several
times. and yet the thefts continued About
once a week some one entered the mans
sleeping apartments and took what money
he bad, if any, and if not, succeeded in
obtaiTipg some of his wife's jewels or val
liable slverware. / was employed in the
case, and made a thorough examination of
the premises.
AT first 1 thought the work was done by
scne one inside the house but my client
told me that he had surprised the man one
night. and that he went out the window
and down the porch. which was undoubted-
ly tt way he had come in. He described
the man as being small, thin ard pale, and
wearing peculiar mask. The description
did not suit any one in the house or any
one nhom the business man knew.
MY client slept in the front room and his
wife in che adjoining, there being double
doors between them. 1 searched the pawn
shops thoroughly, and could find no trace
of the missing jewels silverware. and
after watching the house from the outside
for several nights, during which time there
was Their robbery, prepared to sleep In
my clients room, to which he readily con-
ser ted. The first night l slept there my
clients belongings were undisturbed but
several dollars in loose change had been alb
stractec from my own pockets, although
usually L am very light sleeper and
awake at once at any unusual sound. l
said nothing about my own loss, but con-
Guided to remain awake thereafter.
For several nights nothing occurred
when one morning about 2 o'clock a form
came through the folding doors that con-
rected the room where 1 was with that
occupied by the wife of my client 1 pre-
tended to be asleep, and awaited the thief's
approach. 1t looked like pale-faced boy
Over its head was thrown a dark shawl
IL at gave the appearance of a mask and
a coat, but the form was barefooted and
had On nothing besides the shawl but
night gown. Nc:selessly 1t glded to the
window, unlocked it and passed out on the
porch. knew in moment that the person
was the wife Of my client, and followed
at once AS she climbed down the porch
the moon shone directly in her face, and 1
saw that she was asleep. The woman went
directly TO an arbor that had once been a
spring house, and, lifting loose board,
dropped something, and returned the way
she came to her own apartments
Il INN ediately Investigated, and found
that in the place formerly used for the
storage of milk and butter the missing
jewels, silver and money were piled. The
next morning 1 told my client and showed
him where the missing articles were. He
stated that his wife was possessed of an
almost insane fear that at some time he
would fail, and would be reduced to want,
although entirely rational upon all other
subjects. This probably took possession of
her mind while she slept. and, being of
sc mnambulistic tendency, her boarding of
the Valuables was explained. When awake
she had no recollection whatever of her
nightly depredations"