Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-03-18

said: MY detectives are all known to !
the crooks. have a mind to try you
on case because you're not known.
The til National bank was robbed
last night, and the robbers are trying
to get out Of town with the swag. If
l arrest them, they won't have the
money on them, so I'm letting them
run. Suppose I put you on to one of
them, do you think you could make
yourself out stupid enough for him to
send the stuff out Of town by you?"
II can do a very hard job of trying"
replied.
He considered awhile. then instruct
ed me to go to certain cheap hotel
and put up as guest from the coun-
try. Bill O'Neil, one who was suspect
ed of the robbery, was there, or had
been there. l was to gain his conf
dence in the hope that he would send
me out with at least part of what had
been taken from the bank l fixed N.Y.
self up in country costume and went
to the place designated. A man an
swering the description Of Bill O'Neil
was sitting in the Office when l went
up to register. l paid no attention to
him nor he to me. l went into the din
Ing room, ate good meal and on going
out saw ONeil sitting where had left
him. l bought five cent cigar and
while I was smoking it walked up to
O'Neil and asked him if he knew when
the next train left for Spottswood,
village twenty miles out. He answered
very gruft1y that be didn't, but l sat
down beside him and began to talk
about the price Of corn, hay and other
country commodities. Presently he
called out to the clerk. asking him
about the Spottswood train, and re-
ceived reply that it would leave in an
hour. He then asked what road it was
on and on being informed said to me
that he was going to station on the
hither side of Spottswood and we
would 60 together. THAT isl he add
| ed, III l can see man before train
time" He couldn't see "a man" before
train time and asked NE if I would
take parcel to Cottonwood. He would
telegraph his partner to be on the look
out when the train stopped to receive
| it.
1t looked as if the man had fallen
into the trap, but suspected he hadn't.
! At any rate I knew there was a game
to be played and my eyes must be like
myriad of telescopes.
"All right said. Gimme yer bun
de-"
Come up to my room. I've bottle
there, and I'll blow you off,
| It was plain he wouldn't act where
others could see. We went to the room
and he gave me the bundle While he
was getting out his bottle with his
back toward me jabbed sharp knife
into the package. The blade met with
no resistance and I caught sand and
sawdust in my hand. had just time to
put up the knife and thrust the bundle
into my pocket when O'Neil turned,
and received my liquor with smile.
| l asked for second drink and
third and so on as long as O'Neil
would give me one. l waxed merry as
drank, and l soon saw by the express
sion of O'Neil's face that he was quite
willing l should get drunk. At last in
stead Of taking my train I fell over on
the bed In an apparent stupor. Had /
not possessed strong head I would
have been all appeared. 1t was now
quite dark, and was snoring Justify.
O'Neil turned off the light, and heard
a key turn and drawer open. Then
he went out, locking the door on the
outside. jumped up, glanced out the
window, hung outside on the sill and
let myself drop twenty feet or more to
an extension and then down another
big drop to the street, taking position
on corner where could see every
egress. waited half an hour and was
about to give up the job when saw a
"hayseed" like myself go out through a
side door. Something-I don't know
what-inducei me to shadow him. l
tracked him to railway station, where
directed depot official to call a po-
hceman while watched my man. In
a few minutes the "hayseed" was ar
rested. On him was found the plumber
done up In a bundle similar to the one
that had been given to me.
O'Neil was also arrested He told me
that as mine was new face he was
uncertain whether was detective or
not. Finally he concluded that what
ever was he would send me off with
dummy bundle. Then seeing chance!
to lock me in he transferred the money
to one Of his gang made up to play my
part -s:s-z:a:.. -, ~.
Ny work 80 pleased the inspector,
that he wanted me to remain with him,
but as I received q 5000 reward in
vested It in business and am now max
ing money.
WILLARD G. IRVING.
Is