The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-01-18
A CLEVER ESCAPE
BY George Smith.
'aiS ~ ~ ~ 'S M ~ alS5lSaSa

III
Well, l must confess l have
been--once, only once; and that was by
John Smith-probably one of the most
cunning and original scamps that ever
lent his name to an evil career. But
perhaps you would like to hear the
story?"
The speaker was friend Of mine
Detective Inspector Henry Graham, OF
Scotland Yard, who ranked amongst
the very smartest and most successful
members Of his profession. 1t was,
therefore, with no little surprise that
] heard him confess to having been vic.
timized. especially by one Of the very
men he had recently brought justice;
and, judging that this must have been
a most interesting case, l replied:
II certainly should. The person who
could impose upon detective Of your
reputation and ability must indeed
have been particularly cunning"
"Yop fatter me-" he repli... smil-
"but you are right; he was q
rogue-the smartest have ever
known; and although l have had my
own back since-he is now in H. NJ. civil
service at Dartmoor-it will be long
day before shall forgive myself for let.
ting him slip from my hands at the last
moment-or, worse still-but ! must
hot be premature.
"Well, it happened in this way: ii
was nearly ten years ago, and I was
merely n novice in the profession. !,
therefore, felt highly honored at being
told Off to investigate the great rob-
berry at Fernleigh court, in Leicester
shire-the seat of the duke of Mel
bourne. You probably recollect the
circumstances; the Melbourne coronet
OF incalculable value, and other jewel
cry and cash to the value of over & 1O,-
900, were stolen in broad daylight-cer-
tairly one of the most daring and COM
plete robberies of modern times. The
thief-or thieves-got clean away, al
though the alarm was given immediate.
ly after the deed was committed.
II had been in the district nearly a
whole day before came across the
slightest clew; but it was not very long
then before had my man-for dis
covered there was but one perpetrator
mentally figured before me. Judged
him to be person of about my own
build, that he was very particular as to
his appearance, and was dressed in q
green sporting suit"
But how did you gather these par
ticulars, If may ask?" interrupted.
"Oh, that was simple enough" Gra-
ham replied. unfortunately for him,
the thief was disturbed after having
cleared his booty, and was compelled
to make for some of the bushes and
shrubs which surrounded the house. In
his haste he tripped over large stone,
which resulted in a nasty fall over a
bramble bush. This bush tore a piece
of the cloth from his coat. 1t was q
piece of green cloth, such as is used al
most exclusively for sporting clothes.
A pocket-mirror that was in his pocket
had got broken by the fall, and small
piece of the glass lay on the ground.
The culprit must certainly have been
very particular about his appearance to
carry pocket-mirror.
"The bramble bush was but small,
and was crushed by the weight of the
falling man; consequently the impress
sion made in the damp grass gave me an
idea as to his height and build. On in.
quiry at various railway stations near,
| at length came upon one which con-
tirmed my opinion, for such man,
dressed as had anticipated, had alight-
ed from first-class carriage Of the
Leicester train there. He had booked
from London-but not to the station
nearest the scene of plunder; he was
far too shrewd for that.
Having gained a few other details
important but uninteresting to you,
booked for Leicester; knowing that
the prompt discovery of the burglary
would have prevented the perpetrator
from leaving the district Immediately
The line to Leicester was a branch one;
and instructed the station-masters all
slen~ <ha line fo fa1eorn,,h "a ma ~ vnv