The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-23
PART ].

lars. The loss of the money was in
significant when simply viewed as the
removal of SO many pieces of paper
bearing the portrait cf distinguished
American, but the necessity TO hold
up some one in the glaring light of the
law as a dazzling example was a mo-
mentous consideration. 1t may be OBJ.
served that n great corporation never
knows an evil-doer as an individual.
but regards him wholly as an "exam
ple;" indeed, the closest relationship
"and services that have endured through
many years can be forgotten by great
institution when it sets out TO estab-
lish an example. And l have often
wondered why some one has not taken
up the business of professional exam
pie, to undergo sentence to prison,
for reasonable salary, to show to the
world that the great corporation is
determined TO enforce honesty. Well,
five thousand dollars were taken one
night from the express Office in Spring
dale. The safe was blown open, tho
town trembled for three days in de-
lirium of excitement, and the agent,
with bruise on his head, lay in his
room at the tavern. At that time
was operating q detective agency in
Louisville (truly despicable calling.
/ must say, and the division super
intendent of the express company sent
for me. A great man was he. Con-
sciously impressive, portly, with animal
life running like an engine with him.
AZ entered his private apartment he
turned in his chair and, looking at me
q moment, said:
$50 you are Capt Baker"
"Niy name is Blake, yes, SIR"
II suppose you have heard Of our
little affair down in the country"
"Yes; have read an account of it."
"What do you shink?'
at is only now, sir, that have found
II to my advantage to think"
"Ah; see." And after short pause
be added: "Now, I'll tell you what we
have done, and thea I'll tell you what
we want you to do, The agent at
Springdale has been arrested"
He paused and looked at me as II he
expected me TO show astonishment, but
didn't. simply said: "Yes;" and he
continued: about six years ago he
came to us most highly recommended,
strictly sober, and with no bad habits.
There is no bank in tie town, and on
numerous occasions y has been en-
trusted with large sums of money. He
is Of good family, and during many
years his father has been cashier of
bank in this city"
He leaned back In his chair, stroked
his side whiskers and looked at me,
and i fancied that I could hear the
great engine of health pumping within
him. IL authorized his arrest last
night" he went on, sand have a dis
patch telling me that the town Is great
ly excited. The physician is unable to
decide whether or not the blow on the
head was self-infiicted, but he agrees
that Il looks suspicious"
WELL" said i, ''what do you want me
to do?"
81 have a scheme" he answered.
"There have been so many similar cases,
you understand, that believe we could
convict him upon the testimony of the
physician and other suspicious circum-
stances; and although IL is necessary
for us to have an example, you under
stand. yet l should like TO know beyond
question whether or not he is guilty.
j may be over particular, but, the fact
is, want him to make a confession. /
may be trihe soft-hearted, you under
stand, but I'd like to know"
Don't you always want to know?"
/ asked.
"Oh, yes, surely" he quickly replied,
shut as general thing we are willing
for the law to settle that point and act
accordingly. But down In that part of
the country an example is badly need
ed, and If this fellow Haines could be
brought TO confess, why it would be-
well, it would be good thing for us,
you know"
"And your scheme?"
us this. i want you TO be put into
the cell with him, win his confidence
and worm a confession out of him."
Rather an old scheme" l was bold
enough to reply.
"oh, I've been told you are most
discournging man, but am determined
upon this, and | am willing to ray
handsomely for your services, and II
you succeed the amount OF compensa-
tion shall be doubled
This. of course, interested me, and
during more than an hour we laid our
plans and talked them over, and when
i left him IL was with these words:
you may depend upon IL that shall
do my duty"
That evening an officer conducted mo
along the main street of Springdnle.
The sight OF the hondcuffs upon my
wrists caught the eyes of the corner
lourgers, and soon q crowd was fol-
bwing us and occasionally heard
The remark: Got him all right.
haven't they2' heard the words