Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-11-09

Will fall into their own trap, rest as
sured," continued one the OF detec-
tlves, taking up the thread OF the mar
ratlve. "Yes, acting on the statement
made by the prisoner, my colleague
and instituted careful and, l might
say, cunning inquiries, for these willy
fellows are difficult to track. We
have been unable to come upon the
two individuals themselves; but after
! indefatigable efforts from round
about source--a woman rs usual at
the bottom of tive have learned
that they intend forcing Marsden &
Rylotty's bank tonight, and leaving
by the boat express tomorrow for the
Continent.
| "Ihe scoundrels"
"But they will just be deceived,
Sir. We have hit upon plan, and
ask you to acquiesce in our carrying
it out"
'Most certainly, whatever you think
best. What do you suggest?"
"Well, We want to catch them red
handed as it were, and ask your per-
mission TO secrete ourselves upon the
premises for the night, so as TO fully
be prepared and waiting for our men. !"
eyes, yes. / presume you have Il
written authoritY?"
"Certainly, sir"
And the plain clothes gentlemen
drew from their breast pockets the
authorized Official document bearing
the name of the chief of the depart
ment, which was quite satisfactory.
After consulting with our su-
periors," continued the officer, "we
think that the plan we have suggested,
with your permission, the most likely
to insure success. We should like you
to furnish us with your private ad-
| dress so as to communicate with YOU
during the night, should your services
be required?"
'Yes, of course. The Hollies" Is
Winstanton crescent"
"Well known, sir. That will be
sufficient, thank you"
And the officer jotted it down quickly
in his pocketbook.
After pointing out a ponderous iron
safe, which he hoped the Williams would
not turn their attention to, Mr..
Phillip Marsden bid them good even
ing, requesting them to let him know
the instant he might be wanted.
He departed in feverish state of
anxiety, wondering, naturally, what
the night would bring forth.
Now, directly the old gentleman had
left the real character of the pseudo
police officers was apparent. 1t was
quite true that q notorious "llttle"
gang OF bank robbers contemplated an
attack on the bank that night, and
those scoundrels were actually none
others than themselves Their war
rants were forgeries and the sergeant's
uniform the perfection of imitation
to the last button. No time was to
be lost. From the coat tail pockets
OF the sergeant came some of the
finest tempered steel drills and other
implements for forcing and boring
iron safes as ever graced the person
OF the most experienced crib cracker.
Deity manufactured skeleton keys
for picking the best and most compli-
Gated locks were brought forth; in
short, everything needed for thor
ough, daring and successful burglary.
"We've got long nights work,
Charlie, I'm afraid" said one. 'It's
now 8 o'clock, and If we get through
this safe under ten hours we're lucky.
We must set to work with a will" p"
Accordingly the Sergeant" speed
lily turned his attention to the back
premises with view to hurried es-
cape should they be disturbed, while
the two Others directed theirs to the
huge iron safe spoken of by the
banker. Drills were quickly applied
behind the hinges of the door, and
boring commenced i'll real earnest, for
these gentlemen" burglars knew
pretty well everything worth knowing
as to the construction of most safes in
use.
Progress was very slow at first, but
the men never ceased. Drill, drill,
drill, on went the work almost in
silence. Now and then Just short
spell for "breather." Midnight ar
rived, and little better progress, for
they labored harder than ever. One,
2, D o CLOCK, anu now tne nuge iron
door began to yield and creak little.
"Tough work, jim. But it'll pay
us in the end, old fellow. Keep it up.
We must finish 1t by o'clock, for per.
haps some blessed Office cleaner may
be here, or people be moving out
side''
Four o'clock and n good aperture
was made. Five o'clock and they
were perspiring like blacksmiths at a
forge in July, and they worked like
demons with their drills and levers.
Presently, with united and terrific
effort, the outer door was loosened
from its sockets.
"Good!" muttered one, as they
gradually, yet laboriously, lowered
the mighty piece of metal to the
ground "lhe inner compartment is
very short work, chummie.
And go it proved, for with the ut.
most dexterity one pried the lock as
the other, with thin chisel as hard us
adamant, started forcing the door
cone more wrench, Jim, and then
for the spoil !" And he rubbed his