The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-04-11

| NSii, VI COURSE, bHlO Ol1pnanC,
smiling sweetly, "we've got to try
that. Butt lcave.it to Pete what the
chances are about keys found in the
pockets of u country bank cashier. L
know this thin key opens tho front
door, and I'm willing to stake my rep
utation on the rest"
SO am l." chimed in Pete, enthusi-
astically.
replied Oliphant, with the decision of
leader Shall map out our plan of
action?"
Both men now consented with genu-
inc eagerness to do just as he said
Ihey had with them drills, dynamite
and other tools of the craft, and were
familiar enough with the methods of
Dandy Jack to be aware that he knew
nothing of fine work on safes and
vaults. His new friends offered to do
all that was needed in this line, and
IN compliance with the plan agreed on,
Pete went forward to reconnoiter the
approach to the bank, while his con.
1ederates waited behind couple of
convenient trees. Pete tried the thin
key in the outside door, found that it
worked well, went in and quickly
turned out the gas jet that was burn
ing in front of the vault Then he
came out and the three waited awhile
to see if anybody was stirring
Presently Oliphant, who had made
mask out of a handkerchief, led the
way to the bank and all entered. The
shades to the windows were quickly
drawn down by Bill. After trying a
few keys the door of the vault was
opened, and Pete and Bill, by the light
of dark lantern, went merrily to
work to crack one of the large safes
which was believed to contain currency
to the value of over $4,000.
The crncl1smcn agreed that, in case
of surprise, they would not be taken
alive, and left their guns near the vault
door in order to fight their way cut in
case of need. Oliphant took two of
the guns TO stand guard and also laid
the package of dynamite in safe place
outside the vault For q time one or
both of the men We're crouched in such
away as to prevent the closing of the
vault door, but when they were ready
for business they both moved in closer
to the safe. Then Oliphant came to
the door to give them n word of advice
and encouragement, and incidentally
swung the iron door on it's noiseless
hinges till he slammed it to by sud-
den jerk; the spring bolt flow into its
socket, and the rats were trapped.
Mr.. Oliphant, very well satisfied
with his exploit, went to the street
door and blew whistle. He waited
several minutes, but there was no re-
ply. Again he blew with all his might,
and he presently saw few faces peer
ing out of ncighboring windows, but
not Il policeman showed his vision. a
third time he blew moro Justify than
before, and, finally, patrolman, who
was supposed to be on his beat near
the bank the livclong night, hove in
sight from the rear door of grogshop,
where he had been asleep on n table.
The poor man was drowsy and ti1nid,
and would hardly have dared to APP
proach the bank but for the fact that
several citizens joined him on the
street and pressed forward to ascertain
the cause of all this commotion.
When they arrived at the bank door
they met Mr.. Oliphant, gun in hand
well, Gilhooly," said he, "have you
seen any robbers about?"
The patrolman replied lazily:
mo, sur: it's been i very quiet
| night"
"You didn't notice that three robbers
entered about half an hour ago, put
out the light and pulled down the
| shades, then opened the vault and went
to work on the safes by the light of
| dark lantern"
Precipitation came out on Gilhooly's
manly brow, though the morning air
was cool and fresh. He stammcrcd
"N-no. sur. OH Mister Oliphant,
yer afther foolin' of me. Yer not tell
| in me truly that was did"
81 tell you nothing, Gilhooly, but III
make it all very clear to the chief"
'Arrah, Misthcr Oliphant, be aisy
wild a man havin' wife and childcr.
Whatll become o me, sur, what'll be-
como o. me?"
Better ask, Gilhooly, whatll become
OF property that is left to your tender
| mcrcies."
The chief, who had been aroused by
the noise in the street, now arrived,
and Mr.. Oliphant told him in few
words what had happened.
Remembering his own experience of ia
few nights before the chief offered to re-
sign in Mr. ELEPHANTS favor. The latter
said simply that he wanted to go home
as soon as he had turned the two rob
bers over to the guardians of the peace
rs he knew his family would be wor-
ried about him. The police handled
the robbcrs with care in transferring
them to the city Jail, the delivery be-
ing made by Mr.. Oliphant in these
words:
"Mr. Chief, these are my footpads.
Take them; I'll make you present OF