The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-29

= THE WHY OF THE TRHNSGRESS0R. ;
) BY HOWARD FIELDING
copyright ndcatel - -


longest pier of the three that lie near
together about a mile above here. Well
be there with the boat"
Before Newcombe could decide what
course he ought to pursue in such eN-
ceptional circumstances, Gleason had
him by the arm and was hurrying him
lowed the criminals guidance blindly.
His mind was alternatively busy with
two considerations. First. in his char
acter as student of sinners, he rejoic-
ed i'm this unrivaled opportunity for
observation. 1t was a demonstration
in crime-an illustrated lecture by
trio of eminent specialists. Newcombe
could not afford TO miss such i great
educational treat. Second, as an hon
est man. he was bound TO prevent a
crime. But how would that be best
done? If, at that early stage of the
proceedings, he denounced the thieves,
no one would believe his story. 1t
would be regarded as ludicrous. How
could these men commit such a gigan-
tic robbery in the presence of thous-
ands? 1t would be much better to let
the conspiracy progress to point near
to success before interrupting it.
Therefore Newcombe attended Glea-
son in his visit to the diver. and listened
to the negotiations for the boat and ap-
paratus. AS the thief had said, the
diver could refuse him nothing. 1t
was evident that Gleason hello sor1e
disoraceful secret of the others. Yet
the diver refused to take any part in
the adventure.
"I'n keep out of It," he said. "I'm
trying to live on the square now, and
this thing is too risky for me. Steal
my boat, If you want her: but / don't
want to know anything about it"
He then proceeded to give certain
necessary directions. and he also fur,
nished the keys of the lockers on the
boat in which the diving apparatus
was kept.
Gleason departed in high spirits. He
and Newcomb made the best possible
speed for the pier where the boat lay.
She was rude craft, yet well adapt
ed to her work. Gleason prepared to
start the fire under the boiler of little
donkey" engine which the boat car
ried. Meanwhile Newcomb went UP
to the town to buy certain necessary
articles which Gleason could not find
in the boats lockers.
While he was gone Harris and Pin
anxious about them. and he was over
joyed to see them drive down the pier,
one on each side of a genial son of Ire
land, whose dray they seemed to have
hired for the occasion. There was some
thing like big box wrapped rudely in
canvas on the dray. Harris and Pinney.
with the drivers help, set he box down
upon the pier.
whats that?" asked Gleason, when
the Irishman and his equipage had dis
appeared.
'The biggest thing on earth!" cried
Harris. IT'S a safe of the regular eX-
press pattern, undoubtedly an exact
model of the one in the river"
Gleason was positively dazed by this
great news.
"Where did you get 2" he exclaimed.
at was in one of the wrecked bag
gage cars" replied Harris. when
saw the various things We're being
carted around to the station, / hired
that 1rishman and his dray, stole an
expressman's coat and pinched the
safe. OF course the railroad men
thought it was going to the freight
house with the rest of the stuff"
"And now, Gleason. of course You see
my PLAN" he continued. I'VE must
hoist up the other safe. and then de-
liver this one. Before they can get II
open we can skip with the $4,000. Am
] understood?'
Gleason nodded. The three men
hoisted the safe on board the boat. Just
as they had finished the task New
cumbe arrived with II high official OF
the railroad whom he had met on the
way to the pier where the boat lay. The
official had heard that a divers boat
was kept there, and was anxious to get
the use of 1t. The whole matter was
arranged between him and Woodberry
before they reached the pier. The
criminologist had most shrcwdly
played the part of agent for the crimi-
mails.
As the railway official sailed down
to the scene of the wreck in the boat,
there was no opportunity for the crooks
10 tell Newcombe about their acquisi-
ton of the safe. Arrived upon the
scene, the railroad man was set ashore.
Then Gleason, dressed in the divers
suit, went over the side, and disap-
peared beneath the water.
Harris and Pinney operated the ma
chinery which furnished air to Glea-
the bow OF the boat, where he drew in
or let out the rope by which she was
anchored, according to directions
given by Harris, who judged of the
divers movements by the action of the
air-pipe and safety cord.
After about twenty minutes Gleason
signaled to be drawn up. When his he'll
met had been removed he held whis-
pered conversations with Harris and
Pinney. Newcombe could not hear
what they said. Had he done so, the
events of the day would have shaped
themselves differently.
AS matter of fact, Gleason reported
that he had found the safe. 1t was.
as they had supposed, identical in pat
tern with the one which they had
stolen, but unfortunately it bore a let
ter A inscribed for some unknown
reason upon it's side.
1--WE have to change our plan," said
Gleason, land this is what we'll do;
I'll get ropes around that safe and We'll
hoist it up en- the side of the boat away
from the shore. and hang it in slings,
three or four feet under water. Then
I'll pretend that I can't find it, and as
soon as the sun gets low I'll give up the
job for the night. Well tow the safe
to some good place, and hoist 1t in"
The three men felt that this plan in
volved less risk than the other, and
they wondered why they had not
thought of it in the beginning. and in
the course Of half an hour, his design