The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-19


could see you didn't belong to that set
But you amt no reporter neither. III
tell you what you are. You're gentle
man, one Of the real sort. What you're ur
To In this section is none OF my busi-
ness only as can give you tips In ex-
change for cash"
Yes. but what information have you
| 10 impart which you think | would care
20 buy?"
We'll the fact Is. | guess, II you're af-
ter anything special I amt In II. But
say II you'd like TO see sight as would
make the old man in Mulberry street
open his eyes I'm your guide"
Speak more plainly"
Say, would you mind turnin round an
wallVn the other way? That duck over
there lookin so innocent into that cigar
store is a detec In plain clothes. He
amt seen me yet. an ia rather he
| wouldn't"
II thought you had done nothing to
make you fear the police" said Mr.. Nit
| chel. turning, however, and retracing his
\ steps
Neither have I, but then. you see. by
this time tomorrow might want 10
prove I was I'm Jersey city today. You
can never tell. an II would be awkward
| for that chap 10 swear he'd seen me
! down here. See? But about this little
| circus | s'pose you know that since the
Lexow committee cleares up things this
all the gamblin places shut up tight.
with rooms 10 let. Ell? Well spose
could take you to place where there
was just the fanciest kind OF layout
faro. poker. roulette. everything. How
would that strike your"
II would not give 10 cents to visit such
a place."
Wait minute. mister. There's more.
S'pose I was to tell you that the place
was run on steamboat: that we do
moonlight excursion down the bay 10
cover up tracks. How them"
"If your statement h true. II II inter
esting OF course. but I'm not connected
with the police. and the arrest OF such
people is nothing TO me-"
II guess you're straight enough" said
the crook In an odd tone. and II dawned
upon Mr. Mitchell that the fellow had
been sounding him for fear that. after
all he might be detective. His replies
had been so honestly made that even
slippery Sam was satisfied for in lower
tones he added:
81 didn't think you'd care for that. but
calculate you're looking into crime as
a kind OF study. Am i right7'
You are said Mr.. Mitchell, admiring
the fellows astuteness.
Good said the crook. "Then I'VE !
got you. What do you say To attending !
lecture on crime to an audience OF |
crooks?"
why, Preacher Jim, we call him. !
He's the longest headed. smartest. brav-
est and sauarest crook In New York city"
He spoke with evident admiration. II
tell you. II makes me feel mean offering
TO sneak you into this lecture. but II I
what you'll see to git some OF the boys
I'm auod I'd cut my heart out first or
yours" For moment he looked Vicious
enough to carry out his threat upon the
spot. but I'm a moment he had resumed
his suave tone and continued: But
what's man to do when he amt got
nickel TO his name an he meets gent as
easy 10 get money out OF as you arey I
tell you the temptations too much ror
Slippery Sam"
Mr. Mitchell laughed heartily at this es-
innate OF himself and then said:
Yes. my man, you have now offered
me something for which ! am willing to
pay literally. Where Is this lecture TO be
delivered and when7''
"You won't have fong to wait. cause
It's tonight. The place Is the steamboat
spoke OF, the foatin gamblin palace.
The r. :. US have chartered the boat
for tonight
And who are the r. 8. U.'s?"
THE Burglars Social union. Sounds
like a queer society to you. don't II?
Well It's oueerer than you think Oh.
you'll have a good time for your money"
II suppose I shall need some speclai
iress in order not to excite, suspicion.
Shall | not?'
Not bit OF II. Say, mister, you never
made a bigger mistake in your nfe. Why,
you was 90 go to masQueradfn IN
,iothes you aint accustomed to you'd
live yourself away In ten minutes. | tell
'ou. the crowd on that boat tonightll
,ave brains. an you want to keep cool.
10. sir: dress natural, an you'll feel
ural an as you'll feel you'll act Say.
10 you know IT'S the funniest notion folks
las-them as don't know. I mean-tnau
thief dresses different from other peo-
lie? Why should he. now? Tell me that. |
Why, II he dad. wouldn't everybody oe
m To him In a second Well. I guess"
Very true. But would II not be eeN
lot 10 wear such expensive clothing?
md then my diamonds. They attracted
our attention. you know"
"Oh, there'll be just as good clothes
here an Just as good dismonds But |
hen, as you aint a regular crook-nu
ffense meant-why. | guess you'd be-teri
cave your best stones at home. There's s
ONE men so mean they'd rob the dead
much less n brother crook or course !
'ou've got TO pass FOR thief You don't 9
mind that?''
mo: not at ALL" replied Mr. Mitchel,
aughing. And now where shall we
neet?'
Seven sharp. foot OF Jay street. Good
lace for crowd like ours. chr RE
aughed at his own feeble wit and his
and closed eagerly over a ten dollar bill
which Mr.. Mitchell handed to him. "A
enner. Pretty good for a start. Tanks.
knew you was the genuine article the
minute spotted you. Well, 80 long! jay
treet. sharp" And Slippery Sam dis
ppeared into a byway so quickly that
ir Mitchell wondered as he walked on
ow the police ever caught him at all.
tTo be Continued) }