The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-17

trial at Leeds had no idea why the nor
rid woman should have been so persistent
in her vengeful rage. and. in truth. II
was not till long after that / learned that
> Croppy was wholly and absolutely inno-
| cent of all knowledge OF the robbery on
connection Herewith. Meg's rage then
wss consummated when, through an un-
just suspicion and arrest he had got en-
meshed for an old crime which. but FOR
me, might never have been heard OF. And
the worst OF IL was that. while / was
laughing at her threats. she really meant
10 put them into execution.
A day or two after the news OF Croppy's
conviction might be supposed TO have
reached this she-uger letter signed
.Knobstick" was sent in 10 the office
stating that II McGovan would, at II
o'clock that night. go alone 10 the foot
OF certain close I'm the West
Port person would meet him
who knew all about the robbery
at Ashgrove House. and who was
willing 10 give all Information against
the persons concerned necessary for a
conviction and the recovery OF the plum
der. provided that the said person could
be ensured OF free pardon and the mod
est reward OF s5 for his pains. II M
Govan did not go alone. or should cut
up treacherous," by bringing a posse OF
assistants with him, IL was judiciously
added, the whole OF the generous offer
would be withdrawn, and he would ind
nobody there 10 reward him for his pains.
| don't think ! should have been quite
so foolish as 10 walk into this nicely bait
ed trap, though IL is hard ito tell as l
have before now walked into them when
/ ought 20 have known better. But as
chance had IT, 1 did not even see the let
ter till IL was too late, as / was at that
moment In railway train returning from
Newcastle, where | had been engaged up
on a case OF more Importance, The letter
stated that but one chance would be Civ
en- me of accepting the offer. and that II
| failed 10 turn up at the appointed time
and place, the writer would be hundreds
OF miles away with his share OF the
plunder with him. The letter. therefore,
was handed 10 NJ Sweeny. who snapped
at the bait like an unsusplcious mouse
at toasted cheese.
sure. / can arrange terms wild them
just as well as jamie" said MSweeny in
great exultation; "and faith If they don't
agree TO them. I'll have me eyes about
me, and spot the appearance OF the man
who meets me. and nip him UP the first
time ! meet him again Then IL l get the
plumber it'll be all through the papers
before jamie gets back. Through the
activity and energy of Detective NJ Swee-
ny, the property taken from Ashgrove
House has been recovered and the
thieves captured How he'll sulk when
he sees It! Begorra, he'll be Ill for a
week after. and unit for duty for q
MONTH"
Only one consideration pulled him
up, and even that was not unsurmount-
able.
when they see IT'S me, they know how
stern i am TO deal wild, and may take
fright, and never show face to me-" he
said; but after mature consideration, he
decided that, I'm dark close at mid
night. with the aid of a brown wig. and
with little burned cork applied to his
fiery whiskers, IL would be impossible 10
deceive them into the belief that M'Gov-
an and not Msweeny approached their
lurking-place.
-'-once they spake to me, Il won't mat
ter" he reflected. for then / can grip
them and hould on TIL l get all / want
out of them"
had been troubled with cold for some
weeks. and had worn white muller and
heavy overcoat OF blue cloth. and these
notable points were not lost In NJ Swee-
ny's disguise. He carefully soaped down
the red bristles which Nature forced him
to wear Instead OF hair. and drew on a
dark wig, then trimmed and blacked his
whiskers and assumed a blue overcoat
and white muffier, and so took his way
az iIiuHiknt ~ tilt w trt Itpli. CtdIttlN IL
person was abroad. even In that rough
locality; and in the close itself. which
has no outlet below, dead silence and
darkness reigned. MSweenys outline
had probably been noted the moment he
entered the close, but he was allowed to
pass down to the bottom nnmolested. A
dark stair here yawned before him; and
then beginning TO feel uneasy, ] suspect.
he'd gently poked his head into the hole
and said fntR
Are We there. Knobstick7
Instantly there was a reply, but II
came from a wooden knobstick, which
caught him fun in the eye with a swing
ing force that sent him reellng backwards
against the opposite wall. SO sudden and
unexpected was the attack, that he had
not time even TO shout out when they
were upon him. One deftly tripped him.
and then the other two trod on him.
kicked him, and pounded at him In per-
feet silence-at least perfect silence was
evidently Intended -faT- -aet -eatA-eF-s
whisper escaped them TIN M'Sweeny, with
a yell that nearly Knocked over the frail
houses. wriggltd round among the busy
feet, and grabbed one by tho trousers.
and then hit with all his might at a
fieshy calf which chanced at the moment
TO come near his powerful jaws.
"Many's the time they've bit me- and
!, faix what's good TO give can't be bad 20
recave." was hts consoling thought as the
awful cry OF the Injured ruffan broke
the stiffness. II think I'd know that
voice again anyhow and III hould on TO
this one though they should murder me
alive. MURDER help rollcer'
The shout was answered In an unex-
pected fashion, for the moment his strong
Irish hr0gue fell on the cars OF his assail-
ants they ceased with one accord. and
stared dowa into his face through the
darkness in amazenent while one less
cautious than the others crled out
''Blast 81, N were not pitching into the
wrong monW
Ii was all they said. aud I'm a moment
more they dashed up the close and dis
appeared. one irouser leg ripping up like
paper in Mswecny's grasp, and so allow
ms the owner 20 escape M'Swecny sat
up and tried TO s,aunch the blood stream
inc from his nose, while the inhabitants
OF the adjoining houses. alarmed at the
outcry. came hocking out TO learn the
cause.
Don't ak me what's wrong when ye sec
I'm kilt-set on by murdcrin' Villains, "
he dolcfllly answered, SHAKING his head
and looking un 81 them with the one eye
left open och. och! but I'm bad I
don't believe irl eyer be on duty again.
They've murdered tho bost detective that
ever walked in shoe leather. and never
"a NVfIo,C loff la rttnffra lifa fate ITafn t,.