The Globe-republican., 1898-01-27

you are to find out all you can
about his accomplices, you know" says
he. Manage it Just as shrewdly as
you please, but let him know that he's
sure to be convicted; that we want to
do him good turn If he'll do US one:
and that if he'll give us information
by which we can secure and convict
| two of the gang, and il he'll plead
guilty himself, the district attorney
| will recommend him to light SEN
tence. The attorney will see him and
tell him the same thing, if he isn't
| satisfied with this, coming from me-"
It was just at night when got these
| directions, and l started at once for
the Jail. The Bilker was confined in
cell by himself, and after the turn
key had let me in and locked the door
after me, he passed me a key through
the grating, saying:
Il shall be busy in another quarter
for half an hour, and may not be with
in reach when you want to leave. Here
is a duplicate key to this cell door;
when you are ready to 60 you can let
yourself out and relock the door be-
hind you. Then show yourself at the
large grated door next the main cor
ridor, and one of the other turkeys
will let you out"
didn't know how eagerly he had
heard every word the turnkey had said
to me! But 1 stood there and told him
who 1 was, though he knew me we'll
enough. and what I wanted to tell
him. He grunted once or twice before
l was through, in way that didn't
mean anything; and when I had said
all wanted to, he muttered something
about having time to think of it.
20, yes" says I, you can have till
tomorrow at this time. Think it all
over, and you'll conclude that you'd
better agree. I'll come for your an
swer then"
turned and put the key in the lock,
and while was turning it, tremen-
dOus blow from behind crushed me
down to the floor senseless.
I staggered to my feet few minutes
after, as it has since appeared. My
| ACoO was uiAAy ouu dCulu6 y,
and the blood streamed down my cheek
from cash over the temple; but I
had no thought for my injuries just
then. The stool with which I had been
Frustrated had been thrown down at
my feet, with a clot of blood on the
edge of the seat; my coat, hat and
cane were missing, and Bilker John
/ IN
and the key gone.
I raised an cutlery forthwith, which
was presently responded to by a hub
bub in the corridor-the sound Of
voices and the tramping of feet. Pres
emily the door was opened, and was
released. while Mr.. William Grebb was
thrust back again into confinement,
this time with his hands closely ironed
| His game was bold one, and it al
most succeeded. Hastily DOMINIC my
coat and hat. pulling the collar up
about his chin and the hat down over
his eyes. he had taken my cane and
closely initiating my walk, had perfect
ly imposed upon the turnkey at the
grating and got outside. His way
thence lay through the sheriff's Office,
and there is no doubt that he would
have succeeded in passing into the
street with this disguise, undecided,
but for the circumstance that one of
the force. knowing where 1 was, was
waiting in the Office to see me when
I came out When the escaping pris-
oner appeared he rose and called him
by name. Grebb, not deigning to re-
ply, fearing that his voice would be-
tray him, walked straight out of the
door without taking any notice of the
greeting.
The officer instantly followed him.
thinking such conduct rather strange
for me- and when he reached the side
walk he saw my double disappearing
on a run round the next corner. A
suspicion of the truth flashed upon the
officer, and raising the alarm he gave
chase Immediately. The pursuit was
hot and ended in the backyard of a
dwelling house, where the prisoner
was run down and captured, but not
without sharp struggle.
Mr.. Bilker John. alias William Grebb
was duly brought to trial, and prompt
" convicted. He did not take the
benefit of the plea of guilty. and the
district attorney did not recommend
him to mercy. He received about the
full penalty of the law, and has five
years of his term yet to serve. And l
say he'd better not come back again
when he takes off his striped clothes,
or if he does. he'd better be mighty
careful of his doings. think myself
quite a match for him now, though. as
I said, l never knew so adroit rogue.