The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-08-22

their rooms and boxes, Watched tneir move |
ments and finally confessed that they must
all be completely exonerated. Weinvent-
ed plausible theories and could put none of
them into practice. In the end we con-
cluded that the diamonds had been stolen
by an experienced burglar, who must have
been very well acquainted with the house,
and who had succeeded in doing his work
in the most accomplished fashion. After
that there was no more to be done. wFhe
mayor offered very handsome reward for
the recovery of the jewels, and many
man mouth watered as he read the amount
promised But as there was not even a
clew to the thief the prospect of claiming
the reward seemed far away to every po-
liceman.
As soon as l heard Of the burglary |
made guess, mentally, of course, at the
burglar name 1t was Jimmy Timble, l
felt confident of it. l knew of no local
criminal accomplished enough to carry out
so daring theft except Jimmy. And
Jimmy had Just come home from Portland,
where he had spent nearly six years in
penal servitude. That was not his first
period of Incarceration nor his second.
Jimmy had been thief from boyhood,
and those who knew him felt persuaded
that uothing would make him give up his
career of crime. 1t was this belief, coupled
with my knowledge of Jimmy's return to
Woolford, that made me suspect him of
taking the diamonds.
When Jimmy was not in prison, he
worked as brieklayer's paddy and made
his home at one of the big common lodg
ing houses in low part of the town. Two
or three days after the diamond robbery l
went one evening toward this house, in-
tending to have an interview with Jimmy
and hear what he had to say for himself.
By good fortune met him just outside
the door and stopped him. He regarded
me calmly and with perfect equanimity
He was at all times curious little man
dwarfsh in stature, very slightly deformed
and always full of certain quaint assur-
ance, mixed with a sly demeanor which
was amusing to everybody My interview
with Jimmy threw no light whatever on
the mystery, as he pleaded Ignorance of
the whole affair. If Jimmy had got the
diamonds, he had done his work so thor
oughly that clew of any description was
not discoverable. And it was just that
want of clew that persuaded me of Jim
my's guilt. knew of no other man who
could have done the work so thoroughly.
During the next two Oh three days 1
thought matters over from I'll points of
view, but 1 could find nothing 20 warrant
me in taking steps against Jimmy Timble.
| wondered if he had been associated with
others in the burglary More than once
he had worked in company with his broth
er, Jerry Timble, but it was impossible for
BIN to have had any help from Jerry on
this occasion, for the simple reason that
the unfortunate Jerry was spending II
months in the county jail for stealing.
And it appeared to me upon considering
the case still more deeply that, it being an
affair of great magnitude. Jimmy Timble
would prefer to words it single handed.
The secret, therefore, rested with him, and
there was nothing but patience to be ex-
ercised.
As no trace Of the diamonds could be
found, we thought it well to keep watch
on two or three suspicious characters in
the town with view to discovering the
whereabouts of the valuables. 1t seemed
to us that the thief or thieves must have
planted the jewels in some safe spot and
waited until the agitation had blown ovel
before removing them. Thus it came
about that Jimmy Timble's movements
were watched very jealously. His goings
out and his comings in were noted, and
the eye of the law was constantly upon
him. Whether Jimmy was aware of this
or not | do not know, but if he was he
suddenly did foolish thing-he allowed
himself to be caught one dusky February
evening in the very act of burglariously
entering a dwelling house, and within an
hour he was safely enseonced in cell OF
the police court. There found him next
morning when [ went my rounds. He
looked at me with half rueful, half com.
ieal expression of countenance.
':Back again, Jimmy?'' said l. q
thought you had turned over new leaf .
$50 did I, Mr. Burton, he answered.
''But you fellows don't give us poor chap,
chance; you don indeed. Just because
1 wanted to look through the window Of
house last night they run me in here.
Too bad, now, ain it, MIR. Burton p
''It'll be another FIVE years penal, viii
this, Jimmy?'' said 1. What foolish
man you are! Why don't you reform ant
live honestly?''
He smiled knowingly at me. "Why
do birds fy?' said he. "'Cus they rt
used to it. It's natur' that's what il
is, Mr. Burton. =
So Jimmy languished in the town jai
for few weeks, having been committed
for trial. Then the assizes came on al
Woolford, and he was brought up to stand
his very doubtful chance. His trial was
little more than formality, for Jimmy
had been caught in the very act of insert
ing his pocket crowbar in the window
ledge of the house He was found guilty
and sentenced to FIVE years penal servi-
tude and certain term of police supervi-
sion.
Invent to have word or two with Jimmy
in the cells as be waited there for removal
to his next abiding place. His sentence
did not seem to have disturbed his equa-
nimity, aud he smiled very placidly as I
greeted him.
aWell, you've done it again, Jimmy, :"
said l. s.We shan't see you any more
for awhile
You re right there, Mr.. Burton, he
answered s'And l shan see any more
of you, eh? l don't care. | can do five
years on my head But I'm sorry. l
shan't be able to see Jerry. He comes
out next week. =
Il believe he does y
1--WE were always very fond of each
other, me and Jerry, said Jimmy Tim
Bile, Every fond we was. We've
worked things together many time