The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-10-09

ing MarSden q Ryl0tty'S Ddnk Tonight,
and leaving by the boat express to-
morrow for the continent.
''The 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?"
We'll. 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,"
'Yes, yes. l presume you have a
written authorityY
Certainly, sir"
And the plain-clothes gentlemen drew
from their breast pockets the author
lied official document bearing the name
of the chief of the department, which
was quite satisfactory.
"After consulting with our superb
ors," continued the officer, 1--WE think
that the plan we have suggested, with
your permission, the most likely to in
sure success We should like you to
furnish us with your private address,
so as to communicate with you during
the night, should your servants be re-
qulred."
Eyes, Of course-The Hollies. Is Win
stanton crescent"
"Wen known, sir. That viii be suffi-
cient, thank YOU"
And the officer Jotted 1t down quick
iy in his pocketbook.
After pointing out a ponderous iron
safe which he hoped the villains would
not turn their attention to, Philip Mars
den bade them good evening, requesting
them to let him know the Instant he
was wanted.
He departed In a 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 notorious little gang
of bank robbers contemplat ted an attack
on the bank that night, and those
scoundrels were actually none others
than themselves! Their warrants were
forgeries, and the sergeant's uniform
the perfection of Imitation to the last
button. No time was to be lost. From
the coattail pockets Of the sergeant
came some Of the finest tempered steel
drills and other implements for forcing
and boring iron safes that ever graced
cracker. Deity manufactured skele-
ton keys for picking the best and most
complicated locks were brought forth:
in short, everything needed for a thor
ough, daring and successful burglary.
We've got long nights work. Char
lie, I'm afraid" said one. Its now 0
o'clock, and IL we get through this safe
under ten hours we're lucky. We muss
set to work with a will"
Accordingly the sergeant" speedily
turned his attention to the back prem
ises with view to hurried escape
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 began in 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 arrived, and a
little better progress, for they labored
harder than ever. One, 2, 8 o'clock,
and now the huge iron door began to
yield and crack little.
Tough work, Jim. But It'll pay US
in the end, old fellow. Keep 1t up. We
must finish it by 6 o'clock, for perhaps
some blessed office cleaner may be here,
or people be moving outside"
Four O'Clock, and a 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 a united and terrific effort, the
cts.
"GoodY' muttered one, as they grad
ually, yet laboriously, lowered the
mighty piece of metal to the ground.
1.-The inner compartment is very short
work, chummie."
And so 1t proved, for with the utmost
dexterity one pried the lock as the 9TH
er, with thin chisel as hard as ada
mant, started forcing the door.
Zone more wrench. Jim, and then for
the spoilv' And he rubbed bis hands
with glee.
Clang! And open few the door. But
what?
Fooled! Frustrated. Bafied! The
safe was empty!
dived their hands into the Interior,
shrank back aghast, swearing and
pouring curses upon the old bankers
head.
Bah! the old blackguardl He has
done us, Jim! And who'd have dream
ed it?"
There's no time to lose" blurted his
confederate, smashing anything he
could lay his hands on, in sheer wan
tonness. Its striking o'clock, and
work people are about"
Tools were hurriedly collected and
pocketed again, and the sergeant"
with a disappointed growl, suggested
that they should go out by the door they
came In by, as nobody was stirring
much, and the back way meant scaling
walls and roofs. This they did, but
Immediately on emerging into the street
they were met by Mr.. Marsden in COM