Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-15
"where did YOU get itY" he exclaimed

where did you get it?" he exclaimed.
1T WAS in one Of the wrecked baggage
cars. replied Harris. When / saw that
various things were being carted around
to the station / hired that freshman and
his dray. stole an expressman's coat and
pinched that safe. OF course the rail-
road men thought II was going to the
freight house with the rest of the stun.
And now. Gleason, Of course you see
my plan" he continued. We must hoist
up the other safe. and then deliver TINS
one. Before they can get IL open We can
skip with the sso.OD. Am understooi?'
Gleason nodded. The three men hoisied
the safe on board the boat. just as they
had finished the task Newcombe arrived
with 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 anx-
ious to get the use Of IT. The whole mat
ter was arranged between him and Mood
bury before they reached the pier the
criminologist had most shrewily played
the part of agent for the criminals
AS the railway official sailed down 10 the
scene OF the wreck in the boat, there was
no opportunity for the crooks TO tell New
combe about their acquisition 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 dis
appeared beneath the water.
Harris and Pinney operated the mach.n-
cry which furnished air to Gleason. while
Newcombe was stationed in the bow Of the
Loaf, where he drew I'm or lea out the rope
by which she VAS anchored. according %
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 Sig
nailed to be drawn up. When his helmet
had been removed he held whispered con-
versations with Harris and Pinney. New
combe could not hear what they said Had
he done 50. :he events OF the day would
have shaped themselves differently.
AS mstter OF fact. Gleason reported
IA 10 haA ha q
they had supposed. Identical in pattern
with the one which they had stolen. hut,
unfortunately, IL bore a letter inscribed
for some unknown reason upon its side.
we have u change our plan" said Glea-
son. and this is what a, II do: I'll get
ropes around that safe and we'll hoist IL
up en- the side OF the boat away from the
shore, and hang II In sings. three four
feet under the water. Then III pretend
that can't find 1t. and az 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 il in"
The three men felt that this plan involv-
ed less risk than The other. and they won
dered why they had not thought Of II in
the beginning. Gleason went into the wa
ter again, and in the course of half
hour his design had been accomplished.
Newcombe did not know what had been
done. He thought that Gleason spoke the
truth when he finally announced to The
officials on the bank tina, he could not find
the safe. and would have 10 give up the
search for that day.
II happened that the Divers boat. which
had been engaged by telegram before Giea-
and his companions had appeared on
the scene, arrived al this junctnr-: the
railroad ard express officers made no at
tempt to urge Gleason TO continue the
work. The anchor was ho;sted. and tho
boat slowly moved back toward the pier
from which she had been taken.
Newcombe felt that the adventure was at
an end. and be experienced sense Of dlsar-
polntment. He would rather have seen a
successful robbery. Yet he had enjoyed ITO
novel situation. ami he felt tha' he had
CLEANED much. II was now time To say
goodbye to his chance acquaintance. for
pressing business would claim him on the
following day. To keep up the dec. ption
which he had practicri upon Them would 10
no good. He resolved 10 appear In his true
character. I'm order that he might say a :.w
words at parting which would help these
misguided men toward better life.
And 80. with little preface. he broke the
truth To Harris. Gleason and Pinuey soon
as the boat had started for her per The
surprise Of the three men could ba imagined.
They listened to his story and to his exhor-
tafion I'm a sort Of trance. which seemed
TO him to be very respectful and encourage
ing
Mr.. Newcombe." said Gleason al last. Il
believe that your words have fallen ofI good
ground. and have saved myself and my
companions from the preparation ~ a
crime. As a matter OF fact. Mr.. Newcombe,
We have stolen that safe
impossible" cried the criminologtSt
Yet true said Gleason. and h" displayed
to Newcombe's wondering eyes the SAT. that
had come out OF the baggage car and had
been set into the boats ca bin.
And now" Gleason continued. let me
prove that our repentance is sincere. Al
though We might easily overp5per YOU and
continue in our wicked way We prefer to
take your advice and undo what we have
done. Mr.. Newcombe. will you helm us?
VIII you restore this safe TO its rightfuI
owner? And will you plead for us with
them"
Il will" cried Newcombe. promptly.
No sooner had the boat reached her pi.r
than Newccmbe rushed on for draw in
which the safe could he carried back to the
place OF the wreck. The safe put on
the dray. and Newcombe took the r-ns
II was agreed that the three crooks sbnuia
wait for Newcombe's return. with such am
swer as the railroad men might make 10
the prayer for forgiveness
Great was the sensation when N.wcnml,e
appeared with The dray and the safe al The
scene of the wreck The divers had inst
announced that the safe was not on tha
river bottom and suspicion had began 10
dawn upon the blue-coa ell officials of the
line. They pounc"d upon Newcoulbe who
smiling aereeably, sat upon the ,lriv.rs
seat OF the dray.
Il return TO you your tr.aslr. unite nm
harmed" he said. Il desire no thanks. only
mercy
The man is crazy" exclaimed on. Of the
officers. This is not the right saf. why
II hasn't been wet. And, besides where, is
the letter A.?
Nevertheless. this Is the SAFE" said New
combe, with so much calmness that H.. i'm
pressed all his hearers. open il and Ice
convinced. But first tell me what was in
the other safe"
Nothing but the package IF money
said one OF the men. 'All the papers and
books were In another car"
As he spoke he worked the combina ion
Of the lock, and, being an expert In that
matter. he soon succeeded In opening the
safe. Throwing back the doors he plunged
in his hand ard drew forth sealed pack
age. He broke the seal and drew forth
eighty one-thousand-dollar bills,
Its all right" he said This must he
the safe. But how you got n. and how
it escaped going overheard. Is more than
know. You will have TO eApli ain that to
the police"
Willingly" said Ncwcombe. and he SUBJ
mitted 10 arrest.
AT that moment Harris. Gleason aud
Pinney stood with staring eyes before an
empty safe that stood open in the cabin
of the divers boat.
Were dished!" said Gleason. But how!
How"
Woodbury. has done it," responded Pin
ney- "Reformer 1 don't think. Why. I
Imh u