The St. Louis Republic., 1900-10-07

LII I" ! ]" 3. !: !: ! !. ! ! !"
}S-S} | about eco o'clock in
] s. x ! the afternoon OF No
q S verlbcr s. 1854, alone
6 u q with J In Burke,
y J. S l who was then Chisf
n I OF Detectives. when
.c,c I the telephone bell
/-s-s-.-s-.-.-.-s-s-s-s-H rang. answered It
and found q clerk o:
the Merchants Bank, then located in the
basement CT the Merchants Exchange build
ing on the Third street side. at the other end
of the wire. The clerk told me two men
had been lettering about the bank all morn
Ing, and he thought they were up to some
game.
reported the matter TO Burke and he
told me- to so down there. Then he called
me back. I found him closing his desk
and placing a revolver in his pocket.
Billy, I have an idea there is something
in this. and I guess I'll GO along with you.'
he said:
The banl, was IN the midst of a swarm Of
people at that hour. They were hurrying
and sl0urrying along the sidewalks, rushing
across the street, running up and down
the steps that led down to the bank en-
trance. and crEshirg and pushing and jos
Ting each other about the windows Of the
receiving and paying tcllers. Most OF them
carried bank books. big punches Of curren-
cy and large bags of coin, Tor it was close
10 3 o'clock. and all were making the final
rush to deposit or draw before the bank
closed.
Bully time for a sneak" said Burke, as
We pushed our way through the crowd 10
the desk Of the clerk We wanted TO see.
Both Of us were keeping our eyes and
ears wide open. for If the men we're there
for a job a better opportunity would
never be offered them.
The clerk was much excited. He told US
the men had disappeared Il few moments
before but was sure they were not very
far away. And 50 the three of us started
out to md them. We pushed our way
through the crowds and turned north ON
Third street the clerk giving US 4 minute
description, of the men as we walked.
..Ore has a nOrid face, with small side
blrus and a small mole on each side OF
long nose: ha Is not more than 81 years old.
stands about feet 10 inches and weighs
close to 100 pounds lie is Well dressed IN
q pair of light trousers. a black frock coat.
vest white shirt, high white collar. black
string tie and a big diamond stud. The
other Is similarly dressed, but doesn't fit
his clothes SO well: he Is smooth sndven
and has a sullen look
We turned west on Pine street and had
nearly reached broadway when L saw two
men driving rapidly east
They look like the men," said.
"They are" said the clerk, and got out
of the way so that he might not be seen
with US.
saloon. and just "a the buggy passed US we
wheeled about and followed it. 1t was not
an easy job with the street full of people
and the buggy going at lively clip. But
we kept ii in sight. The men drove directly
to the Merchants Bank and stopped on the
east side Of the street. The ford man got
out and went directly into the bank; the
other man held the reins.
Burke and / stopped well behind the bug
Gy, but where We could watch both ii and
the bank entrance. 1t was several minutes
before the norid man reappeared-right be-
hind group Of men. each Of whom car
riod a considerable sum OF money well ex-
posed to view. He followed them across the
street. apparently absorbed in newspaper
He did not even glance at the man in the
buggy. The men with she money entered
Phil Hellery's. and so did the man with the
newspaper. And SO DID ]. Burke remaining,
outside 10 attend to the man in the buggy.
At the bar stood the group of men, my
man at the end toward the door, and close
beside commission house clerk. This
clerk had big bag of coin on the bar in
front of him and bank book. in which
could be seen quantity of bills. stuck out
of his sackcoat pocket / did not wait for
a denouement; stepped up to my man, and
called him aside.
"A gentleman at the door would like to
see you said.
He appeared surprised. but not in the
least confused.
''TIl step out as soon as have had my
drink he said, quite pleasantly, and
turned to the bar. azain glancing at his
newspaper.
.'But-'' began.
pardon me- he said, ''will you join
me?'
''No, thank you," answered 'but-'
MAY I ask your name?' he said.
"Desmond," answered, "and the gentle
man wants to see you at once
sDesmond? Desmond? used to have q