The Democratic advocate., 1907-06-28
Selett Stnrp.
How a Thief Caught a Thief.
A DETECTIVE STORY.
BY d. R. ANDERSON.

no very high opinion of our vaunted de-
tective system" said |, as we turned into
| Navasour's rooms.
II cannot say have" he answered,
smiling; my life has been proof that
their sagacity is not miraculous. did
not find the business required any unusual
intelligence when filled the role of detec-
tive" and his smile broadened into a
hearty laugh.
"You detectiver" I exclaimed amaz-
edly.
II assure you, yes" he answered,
rightly constituting the question on my face.
'sAnd l ran down my man, too. 1t was
good day work for me. But light your
cigar; see you will not give me rest until
[ tell my story.
'There is an old saying, 'ae corbie cen,
but am afraid my life has been fight
against that anxiom. 1T takes thief to
catch thief, and so far as lay in my
power I waged war only with rogues and
| thieves. [ marked them as my game,
and have never knowingly robbed an hon
est man. Oh, yes, some of the profession
have their code of ethics, [ assure you. y
II can we'll believe that, now," [ said !;
and meant my words.
Vavasour's lips trembled slightly as he
muttered: ''Thank you
Next moment all trace of emotion had
left him, but | was not deceived. He felt
keenly. His life ruined by rogue, as [
learned afterwards, he had sworn to be
revenged upon him and his class, and he
had kept his VOW, but at what cost
And vet the excitement of those days ap-
pealed to him; his eyes would sparkle, and
his features quicken as he told some tale
of daring, and his words we're pregnant
with the enjoyment of its danger.
Along in my rooms they sound cold and
lifeless, but sometimes as write Vavasour
seems with me, my pen flies rapidly, and
know my readers learn something Of the
true nature of the man of whose friend
ship | am proud in spite Of his profession,
and vet know if it had not been for Sybil
and her love he would have sunk into
something but little removed from COM
mon criminal
Vavasour plunged directly into his story.
'sI could not help noticing" he began,
s'that two well known members of the
Knickerbocker looked anxious and per-
turbed as they sat at little dining table a
yard or two away from mine Their faces
were flushed and they spoke in whispers.
Occasionally one would forget to restrain
his voice, and the other would respond in
similar tones. Then, suddenly, remem-
bering my presence, both would become
silent and look nervously in my direction.
Hell, he has heard nothing, and if he had
he would not understand, l heard one
mutter. But in both premises he had
erred. From what they said, and knowing
that both were directors of life insurance
company then prominently before the pub
lie it was an easy matter to conclude their
conversation had to do with its affairs.
From the frequency with which the words
'decamp and manager occurred, L had
no doubt that official had disappeared with
funds; but when the sum of half million
was mentioned, | confess l paid more at
tention to what they said than to the cordial
which lay beside my plate.
% 'The chairman has called a meeting for
tomorrow; nothing can be done till then.
"I got the notice. | suppose they
will call in the police.
{" And keep the matter quiet. 1t 1t
gets to the public the society may as well
close its doors. The press will be down on
us, and who knows whether we are not
responsible; we left everything to Rogers.
If it collapses, what will the widows and
orphans do?'
81 had heard enough. Half million
was prize worth scheming for. l did not
wish them to know had been interested
in their conversation, so [ left the table
and strolled into the smoking room.
II had heard enough and it now only
remained for me to lay my plans. Need
less to tell you, | possessed thorough
knowledge of the actors part of making
up At that time could have protrayed
men of all ages and all ranks in life. In
French and German | am proficient. The
part of detective was an easy one to me-
I knew many of them intimately. Next
morning I devoted more than usual atten-
tion to my toilet, and when l slipped out
unobserved l flattered myself that no one
would have recognized me.
''Ten O clock found me in the magnif-
cent temple on Broadway which the com
pany had erected for its head Offices.
Entering inquired at once for the
company's attorney.
"He is with the Board. They are sit