The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-15

that safe"
"But you can't open it under water"
Harris objected.
"Probably not" said Gleason, "but
we'll get the money out of ii some way.
Now, then, Woodbury., / will go and see
my diver. You and Pinney stay here
and keep eyes and ears open. In about
an hour and half you join us at the
longest pier of the three that lie near
together about mile above here. Weli
be there with the boat
Before Newcombe could decide what
course he ought to pursue in such ex-
ccptional circumstances, Gleason had
him by the arm and was hurrying him
away. For the next half hour he fol-
lowed the criminals guidance bl;ndly.
His mind was alternately busy with
two considerations. First, in his char
acter as n student of sinners, he re icited
In this unrivaled opportunity for OBJ
servation. 1t was demonstration IN
crime--an illustrated lecture by trio
OF eminent specialists. Newcombe could
not afford 10 miss such "a great educa-
tional treat. Second. as an honest man,
he was bound to prevent a crime. But
. how would that be best done? II, al
that early stage of the proceedings, he
denounced the thieves, no one would be-
lieve his story. 1t would be regarded MS
ludicrous. How could these men com
NIT such gigantic robbery in the pres
ence Of thousands? 1t would be much
better to let the conspiracy progress to
a point near to success before interrupt
ing it.
Therefore, Newcombe attended Glea-
son i'm his visit to the diver, and listened
10 the negotiations for the boat and APP
paratus. AS the thief had said, the
diver could refuse him nothing. It
was evident that Gleason held some dis
graceful secret of the others. Yet the
diver refused to take any part in the
adventure.
"I'll keep out Of It," he said. "Fm
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
nshed the keys of the lockers on the
boat in which the diving apparatus
was kept.
Gleason departed in high spirits. He
and Newcombe 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
rled. Meanwhile Newcombe went up
to the town TO buy certain necessary ar
ticles which Gleason could not find in
the boats lockers.
While he was gone Harris and Pin
ney arrived. Gleason had begun TO be
anxious about them. and he was over
loved TO see them drive down the pier,
one on each side Of 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 Pinncy,
with the drivers help, set the box down
upon the pier.
"What's that?" asked Gleason, when
the Irishman and his equipage had dis
appeared.
"The biggest thing on earth!" cried
Harris. Its. safe of the regular ex-
press pattern, undoubtedly an exact
model OF the one In the rivey."
Gleason was positively dazed by this
great news.
"Where did you get it?" he exclaimed.
ut was in one of the wrecked bag
gage cars" replied Harris. when [
saw that various things were peing
carted around to the station, hired
that Irishman and his dray, stole an ex-
pressman's coat and pinched that safe.
OF course the railroad men thought il
was going to the freight house with tho
rest of the stuff.
"And now, Gleason, OF course you SEQ
my plan," he continued. 'We must
hoist up the other safe, and then de-
liver this one. Before they can get 1T
open we can skip with the $4,000. Am
i understood?"
Gleason nodded. The three men
hoisted the safe on board the boat. just
as they had finished the task Newcombe
arrived with high official of the rail-
road whom he had met on the way TO
the pier where the boat lay. The of
fetal had heard that divers boat was
kept there, and was anxious to get the
use of 1t. The whole matter was ar.
ranged between him and Woodbury. be-
fore they reached the pier. The crimi-
nologist had most shrewdly played tho
part Of agent for the criminals.
AS the railway official sailed down
90 the scene of the wreck in the boat,
th~se was no opportunity for the crooks
20 tell Newcombe about their acquisi-
tion 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 Pinncy operated the ma.
chinery which furnished air to Glea-
ron, while Newcombc was stationed in
the bow OF the boat. where he drew in
or let out the rope by which she was
anchored, according 10 directions