Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-01-08
GRe BURGLAR
AT BROWNS
~ Edward 3. Clark.

presence Of burglars at Brown x Co. S
Eight detectives went there and found
the doors locked. The Interior was IL
plain view. Seven men watched while
the eighth man jumped into hack ane
was driven posthaste to the hotel re
siLenee OF Brown & Co.'S western man
ager. who had been transferred recent
ly to Chicago from the east. The man
ager was out. and no one in the hote
knew of his whereabouts. The detee
tive left message asking the manager
to 20 at once to the store on his return
Then the officer went to the telephone
and called up the submanager OF
Brown & Co. The submanager was In
and said he would make for the store
as fast as a cab could take him.
The submanager felt heavy re
sponsibilty, and be knew that II
wouldn't do to take any chances ON the
thing. SO he gave the eabman an ex
ira dollar to get him there quick. The
submanager had been superseded by
the manager from the east only few
days before.
The submanager reached the store
Taking out his bunch of keys, he lief
the watching detectives into the great
silver treasure house. They searched
the place from basement to roof, but
ne'er burglar did they get There
wasn't q trace of a thief. Everything
was intact. and the submanager and
the detectives agreed that II was CASE
of false alarm. Then the sub went
home, and the officers went back to bad
cigars and penuchle.
Half an hour passed. The eight mer
In the squadroom were watching the
clock. In fifteen minutes they would be
relieved. There was click, followed
by the tattoo of bell hammer. Ii was
another burglar alarm from Brown &
Co. This time the detectives put or
their coats leisurely. walked out the
door and went down the stairs with
half laggard steps. They climbed into
the carriage and told the drivers tc
go TO Browns again, but not to kill the
horses ON the way. Arrived there. they
tumhled out hastily, for the front door
was ajar, and inside they saw a man
standing near the safe. The officers
pushed their way In, and the man ad-
vanced to meet them. He wore frock
coat and a silk hat. He met the de
tectives half way to the door, and then
without further introduction, he said
I'm the new manager of this place. ]
got your message at the hotel, and /
came over here too late to find you fell
lows. If you have ever been here at all
l just now pulled the burglar alarm
myself to see If you Chicago sleuths
have any life in you. find you haven't
You're a worthless, good for nothing
lot. It's taken you five minutes to an
swer my call. I'll see to it that your
agency loses this job tomorrow, and
I'll tell your manager that his loss of
the place Is due to your laziness and
you'll all lose your jobs too. You're q
lot of incompetents. You call your
selves detectives. BAIL You're a lot
of dubs. Now get out of here and let
me lock up"
A flush of anger came into the face
of each officer as he listened TO the
TRADE. Suddenly the rearmost one OF
the group pushed his way through and
laid a heavy hand on the shoulder of
the man who had just heaped abuse
upon then. You're pretty good bluff
er, Slinky," sand the detective. but
knew you the minute | laid eyes on
your evil face. You can put on plug
hot and SuaIl afntbaS oil Won want hint
/ can tell that sueaky look of yours
anywhere. It's pretty near fifteen
years since sent you to Joliet last, but
it'll be less than month before you 60
again. Come along now" and he start
ed to pull the man who was found In
the store toward the door.
The victim drew back with a face
like thundercloud. How dare your
he said. I'm the new manager of
Brown & Co. Here's my card. Here
are my keys and letters addressed to
me. How dare you call me Slinky."
.'oh, that's all right. Slinky." said the
detective. I've just said you're good
buffer. Keys! Cards, What are they
to get for man of your genius? Come
iAoHs AStihhSs hb loN+ 1taD Ibll vi
on the other side. Bill"
Between the two burly detectives the
victim was led to one of the waiting
carriages, expostulating and entreatine
all the way. Il tell you I'm the man.
ager of this place. Take me TO the
house of the submanager, Mr.. Barton;
he'll identify me-" Into the carriage
the prisoner was hauled. The detec-
tive who had dubbed him Sllnky whis-
pered something TO the driver and the
carriage went north across the river.
Say. SlinAy. what job have you been
doing recently? ! haven't heard from
you since you came out of the pen.
Hang on to him, Bill. there; Slinky's a
slippery cuss. and perhaps we'd better
put bracelets on him." And the detee-
tive dangled pair of handouts before
the victims eyes. The prisoner squlrm-
ed and nearly burst into tears. Then
he fumed again. Just then the car
rage drew up in front of North state