Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-01-21

IudH IlClloIl Is pUllle Out DS lile IOllON-
ing which l am about to relate.
In the year 1855 l was connected with
the eastern branch of a prominent detec-
tive agency located at Philadelphia. The
circumstances that follow are strictly
true; although 1 I'M using the names of
persons and places other than the cor
rect ones, for the reason that most of the
parties are still living, and for the addi-
tional reason, that all facts and circum-
stances, that come under my notice while
engaged upon my professional duties are
inviolable.
The room set apart for the use of oper-
atives when d~isengaged, who were at
taclled to the agency, contained about a
dozen men: business just at this time not
being very rushing; some We're reading,
others playing chess and checkers.
1t was late in the afternoon and all
were waiting patiently for the hour of
six, at which time they We're excused,
providing no call was made for them
previous to that time. The hand upon
the clock was gradually approaching the
hour; about ten minutes before six the
whistle at the speaking tube sent forth
a long blast; all was attention in a mo-
ment; it meant that one or possibly more
of the number could give up the idea Of
having the evening to themselves. Word
came up the tube that my presence was
required in the superintendent office.
After passing into his office | found that
my instructions necessitated leaving
town that night; the business which l
was called upon to perform will be learn
ed as | proceed witt my narrative.
l had ample time to make preparations
fnr N Y nl1rnnt fYn ,rny-iIt~~ -, .Ia
inner man. 1 took a bath, then packed my
grip, putting in a prospectus of The life
of Grant" by Ben Perley Poor and the
present ambassador Hay, a book sold
by subscription and sometimes used by
me for the purpose of covering up my
real business. Looking at my watch I
found that l just had sufficient time to
make my train and in the course Of
twenty minute alighted at the Broad
st. station; l secured my ticket and berth
in the sleeper, boarded the train and was
soon speeding upon my journey; my
thoughts naturally reverted to the work
that | had before me, the particulars of
which, l however, was ignorant of, as the
telegram received did not not state what
was required Of me. l would not arrive
at my destination until some time the
following night, l soon fell asleep and
was awakened by the jolting of the train
and found that I had arrived in Wash
- Siih Niiot IN sICEPtI was DtlllS
attached to the train for the south. The
next day l bought a southern paper and
read of an account of a mysterious rob-
berry that had occurred the day previous
at the "Thos. Downing Bank" AS this
name conceded with the name attached
to the telegram received, | knew this was
the case that l was called upon to inves-
tigate.
About eleven o'clock I arrived at my
destination, a town of some fifty thous-
and inhabitants, and proceeded at once
to a hotel, registered from a southern
city and retired for the night.
In the morning as I entered the hotel
office I noticed a group of young men
talking in an animated manner to the
clerk of the hotel. l purchased the morn
ing paper and the first item l noticed was
the glazing headlines at the top of the
page: NO CLUE TO THE MYSTERI-
OCS ROBBERY" | inferred that the
group of gentlemen referred to had been
engaged in conversation upOn this sub
Ject. Sitting down close to the desk and
apparently reading my paper l heard one
of the young men say, 1T is thought
that" then lowered his voice, and 1
could not catch the balance of the SEN
tence. The conversation was then car
ried on in a lower key, but l heard the
word son mentioned, and also that
they did not believe that he had anything
to do with it. From subsequent informa-
ton that | acquired l was satisfied that
they were referring to the son of Mr..
Downing the proprietor of the bank.
1 entered the dining room and was
seated at a table occupied by three
others who were also engaged in con-
versation upon this matter. However l
did not learn anything of material note.
After finishing my breakfast l engaged
the clerk in conversation, and incident
ally mentioned that | was a book agent
and had come in from an adjoining town,
where | had done very well and hoped to
do as well there. From him l learned the
names of some leading citizens of the
town, remarking that Il always endeaV-
ored to get subscriptions from the lead
ing citizens first, if possible which as
sisted and made it easier to get the 9TH
erS.' Among the number of the names
he gave me, was the name of MI. Down
ing. He said, Il would not advise you to
see him today as he is said to be very
much worried about the robbery | re-
marked | would probably see him as the
amount stolen would not affect him. as
he was said to be a very rich man. Yes,
said the clerk, but the amount has very
little to do with his feelings in the mat
ter" Then he confidentially Informed me
that Mr.. Downing was suspicious, or was
afraid that his son knew something
about the robbery, and naturally felt
very bad about it. He remarked that
he was going out shortly and would show
me the places of business of some Of the
leading citizens
This just suited me as it would assist
very materially in my cover; l went to
my room for my prospectus and we
started out together. Shortly he pointed
out the Downing Bank about a block
ahead, and pointing across the street,
That he said, lis the store of E. j.
Burton, one of our leading merchants,
quite a book worm, and a very affable and
easy man to approach" | left the clerk
and crossed the street. entered and went