Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-09-03
1 answered. Il caught a milk wagon

then. That was the fifth or sixth in
four weeks, an they have had four
more houses entered since then"
This was genuine news to me, and l
was interested. John continued:
'"They are slick ones, too, for they
never leave any trace behind them.
Them detectives from the city don't
seem to be able to do anything. They
must come from the city over night an
get back again afore mornin'. But
they can't find any of the stolen goods
not in any of the pawnshops. It's
fine mystery to be a-hangin' over
the place. You can't tell. which house
will be robbed next. The servants are
all talkin' about leavin', an nobody
feels safe. amt sayin' that I'm not
glad that I'm liyin' out here over the
barn instead of in the house. They
never bother the stables, an I suppose
I'm all right"
But you'd go to Mr.. Goddard's as
sistance if an alarm was given at
night" said.
II amt employed for that" John re-
piled evasively, shifting his eyes from
object to object. 1--WE got wife an
child to look after, an there amt no
reason why should get killed to save
my master few dollars"
mo? Well, I'd go as soon us found
he was in trouble"
"Well, you haven't anybody depend
ent upon you," he answered.
'sThat's true" Then added: "You
say most of the houses around here
have been entered in the last month or
two. Has Mr.. Goddard's been rob-
bed?"
"No; his an DR.. Squires' are bout
the only ones that haven't been rob-
bed"
'Thats curious" reflected aloud.
''Not at all. We expect the robbers
any night here, an that's why the serv-
ants all threaten to leave. The rob-
bers wouldn't take the trouble to break
into DR.. Squires', fur there amt nothin'
in that old place to take. He's too poor
to have anything valuable aroun'.'
Breakfast ut this juncture inter-
rupted Johns talk, and we had no
chance to renew it that morning. But
about noon the subject was recalled to
me rather forcibly by the appearance
Of Mr.. Goddard. He looked troubled
and dissatisfied. He came into the
barn dressed In his ordinary morning
smoking jacket.
John, I've got to make some change
here" he said "AIy butler has be-
come frightened over the recent rob-
berries and won't stay, and the rest Of
the servants are up in arms too. They
| all talk of leaving. I must have some
manservant in the house who isn't
afraid of every little sound and ready
to jump at his own shadow. Now the
question is, Who shall install there?'
He looked significantly from John to
me.
II have family to look after" John
began to stammer, and us he spoke u
look Of annoyance swept across Mr.
Goddard's face.
did not let him finish, for l knew
that he would only get himself into
deeper water by displaying his coward
ice. AS good, faithful coachman and
kindly husband John was success,
but as man of courage he was total
failure.
IF you have no objections, sir, l
would like to offer myself as one will
ing to live in the house and look after
things" I said modestly. 81 don't
think you will find me afraid of any
thing or anybody that may attempt
| to enter your house."
could not help noticing n pleased
expression on his face, although at
first expected he would resent my
intrusion. recalled the old, but some
times erroneous, saying that "there's
honor even among thieves" for in spite
of what he knew about me he was will
| ing to trust me. There was certainly
a very peculiar relationship springing
up between us.
'.Thank you, William" he answered.
'"The change will be agreeable to me.
You will have quite responsible po-
sition, and I will have to trust much
to your honesty and tact until this
burglar scare passes away. 1t seems
strange that the gang of thieves can
not be caught. would give consid,
cradle myself as 4 Reward just to break
them up, for they are making the life
of our neighbors miserable out here"
"Do you think that there is gang of
them?" asked boldly.
Certainly" he said, without hesita.
ton. "How else could the robberies
be committed with such success? Why
f IN 1oItnya o}I,
wise?"
He looked sharply at me, and my
eyes wandered from his as answered
mo, except that 1 believe gang
coule not operate as successfully as
one good skilled professional robber
Where there are too many one or more
will get into trouble sooner or later
and they will squeal upon the Others
'That's very true, very true" he
said refectively. II had never thought
Of that, and yet, yes, Jenkins, the de
tective, came to that conclusion some
time ago, but secuted the idea. May
be there Is more in the idea than
thought. will think about it, and II
such man is really terrorizing the
neighborhood should like to see hin
captured. believe will offer re
ward myself for his capture"
at would be n good idea," replied
"for you would probably never have tt
pay the reward"
''Why not?"
"Well, because man sharp enough
to evade detection all this time is no
likely To he caught nv sOmebody worl,
ing to get reward"
"That may be, but shall offer thu
reward at once. I'll make 1t a thou
sand dollars for the mans capture ant
another thousand for his conviction"
"That ought to be sufficient to temp
any confederate to squeal and turf
states evidence"
ut might be, but should hate t
see the money go to confederate, TO
L {e, IN ;r;1