The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-08-10


my detective instincts at once, and l
resolved would know why he was 50
nervous, and what II was that he ex-
pected in the sky.
$50, nonchalantly whistling tune.
I leant my bike against the hedge and
pretended to examine the tires, but
kept sharp eye on my man all the
time. My action appeared to make him
desperately anxious, and. taking his
bike into the road. he tried to mount, in
spite of the punctured tire; his sole OBJ
ject seeming to be to get away from the
spot as quickly as possible, as though
he had just started an internal machine
and didn't wish to be near when 1t ex-
ploded.
"But riding a bicycle with pune
tured tire is not easy, and his hurried,
nervous attempt to mount his bike re-
suited in his falling off on to the road,
and Just at that moment heard flap
ping Of wings, and looking up saw a
large black bird in the air, and after
sircling round once or twice It alighted
on the ground near my naughty COM
panion. There 1t stood, giving vent to
funny little croaks, and then 1t hoped
round and gazed up into the mans face
with indescribable impudence and cum
ming; but he was strangely alarmed Mt
the birds sudden appearance, and
stared at It in a most bewildered man.
ner. Its tail was long and graduated,
and beautifully iridescent with glori-
Gus blues, greens and purples, but the
rest of its body was black. The shape
of the bird seemed familiar, but could
not recall where I had seen similar
one, nor remember its name. Its bold
ness in thus venturing SO near us was
certainly astounding. My basket-man.
however. apparently had pressing
engagement, for making another des-
perate attempt to mount his disabled
bike he succeeded in riding away, while
the bird, lazily rising in the air, flew
away too, in the same direction.
II watched both till they were out Of
sight, and then turned TO my bicycle,
but rs did so, something bright on the
ground where the bird had stood at
tracted my attention, and STOPPING
down I picked up-a diamond ring, set
with large brilliants! I gave q low
whistle of surprise as the truth sudden
ly flashed across my mind; I had solved
the mystery Of the robberies, and dis
covered the thieves!
"Swiftly mounting my bicycle I pur-
sued my late companion with all my
speed, and some distance on found him
standing in a carriage-drive. putting
the bird into his basket. Dropping my
bike I made q dash and collared him
before he could escape. and said: I am
. detective, and arrest you on q charge
Of completely In the robberies which
have taken place in this district. i
must caution you that anything you
may say will be used against you at
your trial. n
"He offered no resistance, although
he turned as pale AZ death, but came as
quiet ~ o lamb with me to the local
police station, pushing his bicycle while
I pushed mine, the bird In the basket
giving vent to self-satisaed little
croaks az we walked.
AT the police station we opened the
basket, and found several articles Of
jewelry reposing ut the bottom, while
the bird hoped out and surveyed US all
in comical inquiry. Now the whole plot
yrtl T1A xhtaH
other than the bird. q mischievous mag
pie, whose love Of bright articles and
passion for secreting them is well
known. His scoundrelly master, we
found, had brought the birds failings
to fine art, and trained him to fly
through the open windows Of houses,
pick up all the bright things he could
see. and bring them to his master, who
cruised about the outskirts of the town
In the meantime, recalling the magpie
by q peculiar whistle. When the bird
returned It was put in the bicycle
basket, and so taken about from place
to place, ready for instant action wher-
ever his master saw an opportunity for
using him, and free from all observa-
ton.
"It was clever dodge, for Of course
o bird would never be noticed entering
or leaving an unoccupied upstairs room
through an open window, and doubt
less his natural cunning taught him
not to enter q room In which he could
see anyone. Magpies, as you know,
have brilliant black and white plum
age, and 1t was here that the consum.
mate craft Of the birds master came
into play; he knew that q black and
white bird would be noticed flying
about, whereas an all-black one would
not, but be mistaken for q rook, 30 he
artfully dyed all the birds white feath.
ers blacki
AT the magisterial inquiry the man
pleaded mot guilty averring that as
he had stolen nothing there was no case
against him; but he was committed 70,
trial, when the Judge awarded him five
years penal servitude as an accessory
before and after the fact,' while as he
considered that the birds being a,
large would prove dangerous to the
community, the magpie was ordered
to be detained in one of the state pris'
ons during her ma iesty's pleasure