Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-10-01
81 am staying rather later than usual

am staying rather later than usual
Tonight; it is fortunate had not gone
very fortunate, for our visit con-
Germs you most seriously"
indeed" said Mr.. Phillip, opening
his eyes widely and popping his gold.
trimmed spectacles up on his forehead
"Yes, sir; from information which
has come into our possession, and which
l must ask you in the interests of pub
lie justice not to divulge, but to afford
us what assistance you can, have to
inform you that daring robbery is
contemplated upon your bank To-
night" "
'Never!" said Mr.. Marsden, staring
aghast. "Why, these premises are proof
against anything"
You may think SO; but you don't
know these men. To go into the mat
ter, sir, it came about in this way: We
we're on the scent of a notorious little
gang of three expert bank robbers and
safe breakers a short time since, and
thorough smart fellows, too. But, IN
fortunately, we only succeeded in run
Ring one to earth-the others eluded
us. The prisoner was convicted and
sentenced to ten years penal servi-
tude; but, like similar cases we have
known, it subsequently came to his
knowledge that his confederates had
since his incarceration not acted up TO
their promise in making provision for
his aged mother out of their ill-gotten
gains, so he, in spirit of revenge,
peached upon them, and furnished US
with full information concerning their
whereabouts and future intentions.
From this point these two other officers
can better explain than l."
Great heavens! You astound mel"
said the aged banker, who became fur
ther agitated.
"Do not alarm yourself, sir; they will
fall into their own trap, rest assured"
continued one of the detectives, taking
up the thread of the narrative. Eyes,
acting on the statement made by the
prisoner, my colleague and instituted
careful and, might say, cunning in
qlliries, for these willy fellows are diff
flcult to track. We have been unable
to come upon the two individuals them
selves: but after interchangeable efforts
as usual being at the bottom of tive
have learned that they intend forcing
Marsden & Rylotty's bank tonight, and
leaving by the boat express tomorrow
for the continent"
"The scoundrcls!"
"But they will just be deceived, sir
We have hit upon plan, and ask you
to acquiesce in our carrying it out"
Most certainly, whatever you think
best, What do you suggest?"
"Well, we want to catch them red
handed, as it were, and ask your per-
to secrete ourselves upon the
premises for the night, so as to fully
be prepared and waiting for our men,"
eyes, yes. presume you have writ
ten authority?"
certainly, sir"
And the plain clothes gentlemen drew
from their breast pockets the author
lied official document bearing the name
of the chief of the department., which
was quite satisfactory.
"After consulting with our superb
ors," continued the officer, eve think
that the plan we have suggested, with
your permission, the most likely to in
sure success. We should like you to
furnish us with your private address
so as to communicate with you during
the night, should your services be re-
CURED"
eyes, of course. The Hollies,' IS
crescent"
well known, sir. That will be suf-
fcient, thank YOU"
And the officer jotted it down quick
ly in his pocketbook.
After pointing out ponderous iron
safe, which he hoped the villains would
not turn their attention to, Mr.. Phillip
Marsden bid them good evening, re-
questing them to let him know the in
slant he might be wanted.
He departed in feverish state of anx-
iety, wondering naturally, what the
night would bring forth.
Now, directly the old gentleman had
left the real character of the pseudo
police officers was apparent. 1t was
quite true that notorious little gang
of bank robbers contemplated an at
tack on the bank that night, and those
scoundrels were actually none others
than themselves! Their warrants were
forgeries and the sergeant's uniform
the perfection of imitation to the last
button. No time was to be lost. From
the coat tail pockets of the sergeant
came some of the finest tempered steel
drills and other implements for forcing
and boring iron safes as ever graced
the person of the most experienced crib
cracker. Deity manufactured skele-
ton keys for picking the best and most
complicated locks were brought forth;
in short, everything needed for thor
ough, daring and successful burglary.
"We've got a long nights work.
Charlie, I'm afraid" said one. cts now
nine o'clock, and if we get through this
safe under ten hours we're lucky. We
must set to work with q will"
Accordingly the sergeant" speedily
turned his attention to the back prem
Uses with view to hurried escape
should they be disturbed, while the two