Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-10-05
Detective
|DaWker S Scheme !
BY H. Carpenter.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

Il is not often that find myself
within the precincts of police court,
but short time ago, happening to be
able curiosity. wendell my way to-
ward one of those interesting insti-
tutions, and effected an entrance.
The policeman on duty that day
was an old acquaintance of mine. and
upon noticing me, he Immediately
beckoned to me.
There's q peculiar case just de-
cided." he said; lone you might like
to know about. The fellow is dis
charged. and will be coming out in a
minute. Here he comes!" calculated
the ofacer. that man in the shaggy
suit"
The "man in the shaggy suit" had
only Just got into the street when /
overlook him.
He was standing still, looking up
and down the thoroghfare, apparently
undecided what to do, all the time
feeling in his trousers pockets as
though he had lost something. di.
vined mis- thoughts, and accosting him
quietly, said:
"After the unpleasant proceedings
Just concluded perhaps little light
refreshment might be acceptable"
"Just what l was a-thinking, sir"
he replied. smiling. "An' was Just
a-feelin' to see If I'd got the price of
glass of beer; but find I'm quite
broke"
"Never mind" observed, and in
less than q couple of minutes l had
him comfortably seated at table in
neighboring public house.
was anxious to know what crime
he had been charged with, and l
mildly inquired If 1t had been mat
ter of assault and battery"
mo. SIR" he said. "but 1t will be
next time-that is, II lay hold Of the
chap that made fool of me-"
as 1t long story?" queried
Mot very long. Would you like to
hear 1t, sir?"
assented eagerly. s7-F-~-:
well. then" he began, after he had
drained his glass, we see I've been
out O. work now for nigh two months,
scarcely knowing which way to turn
for meal, and glad to pick up shill-
ing when and where can.
well, one mornin' l went out as
usual-that would be just nine days
ago-and found myself with only
Sixpence in my pocket in the neigh
borhood of Leicester square.
No Job was to be had that morn
in 30, feeling rather down at heart,
and little thirsty and hungry, I
turned into coffee house where
knew could get cheap meal.
Il hadn't been sitting there long be.
fore short, stumpy gent, with no
end o. watch chain in front of him,
comes sauntering In and seats him
self plump alongside of me.
II ought to have felt fattered no
doubt. and perhaps did little bit.
when he said, presently. in a very
pleasant way, Nice mornin'.'
EYES, said; 1T is for those in
work, but the mornin' doesn't seem
partikler nice to me-
"'You're out O. work, eh?' he ask
ed. Well. might have guessed as
much by your crestfallen expression.
What would you say If put little
job in your way?'
II should say Heaven bless We, and
mean It, answered. picking up my
ears and looking full in the little
gents face.
".Can trust your ne asked.
Perfectly said.
Now, look here he says, speak
ing quite confidential like, and In a
very low voice. I'm a detective. To-
night I'm going to have good try to
nab fellow who has been fooling the
police of London for the last three
months. I've got reliable informa-
ton. and with your assistance l be-
lleve shall have him.
HE told me that the man he in.
tended to catch was going to commit
burglary at house at Highgate-
who informed him he didn't say, but
he said he knew it-and that he
meant to nab him in the very act
The house stood in piece Of ground
Enclosed by low rail fence, and my
part Of the performance was to watch
for the burglar, and should he by an,
means give the detective the slip, tc
chase and collar him If could.
But s'pose,' said, as soon as !
could get word in. .'s'pose regular
policeman comes along and catches
sight o. me In those grounds at mid
night?'
well the little gent replied
laughing, you've only to give the pc
lice signal. three loud whistles, ant
tell them Detective Dawker has EN-
gagged you
Eve left the place together and
parted Just outside, promising to NEE
at the house he had described to me
at Highgate, at twelve o'clock the
same night.
Twelve o'clock came. reached
the meeting place in time, and found
the detective waiting for me.
He was dressed in clothes some
thing like my own. and looked the
fash gentleman no longer.
HE seemed rather impatient, and
hastily pulled me into the garden and