The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-09-23
Detective
DaWker S Scheme
951S757S252Sa5551525752S
By H. Carpenter.


within the precincts Of police court,
seized with sudden and unaccount-
able curiosity, wendell my way to-
ward one of those interesting insti-
buttons, 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 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 officer, "that man in the shaggy
suit"
The "man in the shaggy suit" had
only just got into the street when I
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. I 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 I was a-thinking, sir"
he replied, smiling. can I 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" 1 observed. and in
less than couple of minutes had
him comfortably seated at table in
neighboring public house.
I 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 lay hold of the
chap that made fool of me-"
SIS it long story?" queried
"Not very long. Would you like to
hear it. sir?"
1 assented eagerly.
well, them" 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
sor meal. and glad to pick up shill-
ing when and where can.
well, one mornin' | 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.
mo job was to be had that morn
in so, feeling rather down at heart,
and a little thirsty and hungry,
turned into a coffee house where l
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 saunterfng in and seats him
self plump alongside of me.
Il ought to have felt fiattered 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. We'll, l might have guessed as
much by your crestfallen expression.
What would you say if put a little
job in your way?'
"I should say Heaven bless We. and
mean it, answered. picking up my
ears and looking full in the little
gents face.
"aCan | trust you? ne asked.
Perfectly I said.
"'Now, look here he says, speak
ing quite confidential like. and in a
very low voice. I'm detective. To
night I'm going to have good try to
nab fellow who has been fooIing the
police of London for the last three
months. I've got reliable informa-
ton. and with your assistance l be-
lieve I shall nave him.
ale told me that the man he in
tended to catch was going to commit
burglary at a 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.