The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-02-10
A POLISHED DETECTIVE.
How the Mirror Plays an Important Part
In Trapping Rogues.

How the mtrr0r rays an Important TRrt
In Trapping Rogues.
A mirror played an important part in de-
tecting a Partisan rogue. The thieves Of
the French metropolis are the cleverest
rascals in the world, and positively elevate
their villainy to Il science. In no other
European capital is one-half the ingenuity
exhibited by this class The famous Duval
eating houses or restaurants are located in
all parts of the French capital, though they
are all run by the same company. The
professed object of this company isto serve
excellent food in good style and for a very
moderate charge.
1t has been lately discovered that n sys.
tenn of thieving was being practiced upon
these establishments whereby they lost
| considerable amount of small silver articles
| such as forks, spoons and similar tableware,
but by whom taken il was difficult to find
| out However, n careful watch was set
and with the following result:
1t was found that respectable looking
person would enter the dining saloon and
| give his order for dinner, of which he par
took. During his meal he conveyed one OF
more articles to the under side of the table,
fixing them there by means of wax, with
which he was provided for the purpose.
Should the servant who waits upon him
miss any of his spoons or other articles, the
rogue is still in no danger, and offers him
self to be searched with perfect IMMUNITY
and an air of injured innocence.
OF course he is allowed to depart, but i'm
mediately after an accomplice enters, orders
his dish, whatever it may be, seating him
self at the same table, whence he removes
the secreted articles to his own pocket, of
course taking care that the waiter shall
not miss any articles from the table as set
before him. There is no reason for suspect
ing this individual who quietly pays his
bills and departs to share the booty with
his waiting confederate.
A case of this kind occurred few weeks
since in the place de la Madeleine where
the superintendent suspected the trick, al
lowing the first party to retire after apollo
giving for searching him. He, however
sent for detective in plain clothes and
babe him watch that particular table
Presently, after the departure of the first
rogue his confederate entered, seated him
self at the table in question, and while
taking his soup began his work, LITTLE
dreaming that the peaceable looking citi
zen opposite, with his back toward him, wa'
watching every movement in the looking
glass through IA hole in the newspaper
which he held before his face and was pre-
tending to read. 1t was almost as good as
play, and the detective was obliged tt
restrain himself or he would have burst
into fit of laughter.
No sooner had the rogue succeeded il
transferring the last of the forks and spoons
to his pocket than he rose very leisurely
walked to the cashiers desk and took ou
his money to pay for the meal. But at thu
same moment there was hand laid heavi
lyupon his shoulder, and the detective yer.
bluntly slipped pair of handouts upol
his wrists. The missing articles were foun'
in his pocket, and he was marched int
prison.-I.o london Million.