Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-10-05
Detective
DaWker' S Scheme
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By H. Carpenter.

10y II. SdA pCuICls
1t is not often that I find myself
within the precincts of police court,
but short time ago, happening to be
seized with a sudden and unaccount-
able curiosity, l 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 a peculiar case just de-
cided" he said; zone you might like
to know about. The fellow is dis
charged, and will be coming out in a
minute. Here he comes!" calculated
the officer, that man in the shaggy
suit"
The man in the shaggy suit" had
only just got into the street when l
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. l d.
vined his thoughts, and accosting him
quietly said:
after the unpleasant proceedings
just concluded perhaps a little light
refreshment might be acceptable"
Just what | was a-thinking, sir"
he replied, smiling. can l was just
a-feelin' to see if I'd got the price of
a glass of beer; but I find I'm quite
broke"
Never mind" l observed, and in
less than a couple of minutes l had
him comfortably seated at table in a
neighboring public house.
| was anxious to know what crime
he had been charged with, and
mildly inquired if it had been mat
ter of assault and battery"
"No, SIR he said, "but it will be
next time-that is, if I lay hold of the
chap that made fool of me-"
els it long story?" l queried
"Not very long. Would you like to
hear it, sir?"
/ assented eagerly.
well, then" he began, after he had
drained his glass, I'VE see I've been
out O. work now for nigh two months,
scarcely knowing which way to turn
for meal, and glad to pickup shill-
ing when and where | can.
"Well, one mornin' | went out as
Msual-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 so, feeling rather down at heart,
and a little thirsty and hungry, l
turned into a coffee house where I
knew I could get cheap meal
Il hadn't been sitting there long be-
fore q short, stumpy gent, with no
end O. watch chain in front of him,
comes sauntering in and seats him
self plump alongside of me.
IL ought to have felt 1attered no
doubt, and perhaps | did little bit,
when he said, presently, in a very
pleasant way, Nice mornin'.'
Eyes, l 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, l might have guessed as
much by your crestfallen expression.
What would you say if put little
job in your way?'
CT should say Heaven bless We, and
mean it, l answered, picking up my
ears and looking full in the little
gents face.
"'Can l trust your ne asked
Perfectly l 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 a fellow who has been fooling the
police of London for the last three
months. I've got reliable informa-
ton, and with your assistance | be-
lieve I shall have him.
"He told me that the man he in
tended to catch was going to commit
a burglary at house at Highgate-
who informed him he didn't say, but
ne said he knew it-and that he
meant to nab him in the very act