Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-10
RAFFLES MAKES
TEMPTING OFFER
Then, II Not Captured, the Man Of
Mystery viii Later Loaf Around
the Vicinity Of Main and
First Streets
1conllnnca from Pare oneJ


There were several wise sleuths keep
ing close tabs on Carruthers, but the
fact that he handed me match seemed
to excite no special concern in their
minds until he stepped a couple of feet
forward alongside Of c. c. Loomis,
owner of the Hotel Angelus, with the
remark, which I was still near enough
to hear. kindly tell these people who
I am"
Thinking that Bill was about to de-
clare that he had just handed me a
match l moved back into the crowd,
and moment later discovered l was
right, as those nearest him made a
sudden dive in the direction where l
had stood when securing the match
and that was all, as a moment later l
had made just one slight change in the
costume which enabled me to continue
my work uninterruptedly.
Wears Fifty Different Costumes
1 have told those on my trail that I
am working among crowds in this city
in about fifty different costumes. Some
of these costumes are real works of art,
and several are so constructed that
with very little effort ! can practically
change my entire appearance in less
than thirty seconds time.
1 always work in crowds in one of
these particular costumes. They have
saved me from capture on many an
occasion, and 1 suppose they will con-
tinue to help me out many times to
come. That is why tell those on my
trail to utterly disregard the clothes
and go after every smooth-faced man
you happen to encounter.
In that way some one is sure to cap
ture me. 1t has been so in every place
where 1 have operated. 1t has never
been until the people took hold of the
game right and started to properly
challenge every smooth-faced man they
encountered that my capture was in
immediate sight.
I have made record all over this
country as a quick change artist, and
the way you are handling this chase
simply makes the game SO easy for me
here that it is practically monotonous
to me.
Should 1 escape you again today I
will make another appointment for the
noon hour tomorrow, as 1 want this
game concluded by tomorrow sure.
Another Chance at Chutes
So there will be no mistake about this
end of my arrangements L will then
take a chance with you under artificial
lights at Chutes park where there Is
absolutely no reason in the world why
some one of you should not effect my
capture.
If the game holds over until tomor-
row night L intend working the first
hour at my usual gait, and then if L
am not picked up 1 will slow down a
trif1e to see if that will aid those on
the search any. If 1 am not picked up
by half past I will be one of the
busiest men at Chutes park trying to
get a position where 1 can see all that S
going on with the Pope Hartford tour
ing car, which will be scheduled to
make the ascent up the Chutes at that
hour
Come on now, Folks-be reasonable.
Here is a thousand dollars, practically
going abegging. You surely don't want
me to declare in the next town 1
operate il that in Los Angeles it was
necessary for me to practically give the
reward away.
Why, you would never hear the last
of it.
While 1 was working around in the
Z crowd at Fourth and Spring streets
yesterday I noticed Conductor No. 1139
working among the crowd with his
lunch box in his hand. This same con-
ductor was also very busy the day
previous in front of city hall, when I
worked among the crowd there. Con-
ductor No. 1913 was also a busy mem
ber, trying to penetrate my identity,
but after I had worked alongside of
him for three minutes 1 was forced to
pass him UP.
Conductors Asleep
What's the matter with you fellows,
anyway? L am riding on your cars a
dozen times day, printing your num-
bers and yet when you come face to
face with me you utterly fail to give me
a second look.
Policeman No. lit took up a position
in the middle of Spring street, where
he had fairly good chance to size up
everything happening.
AT twenty-five minutes to 1 O'clock
/ entered the Hotel Angelus through
the Fourth street door, and walking
through the rotunda, paused long
enough opposite the desk to get a
drink of water from the fountain In the
wall
The bell boys and hotel employees
were all keen on the job, as many had
seen me before my official disappear
ance, but when / gave them the chance
they sought yesterday they failed to
take advantage Of the opportunity of
fered, for easy money back east.
Game May End Today
The chap in the light sombrero who
was particularly noticeable on the steps
of city hall Monday during the noon
hour was also on hand yesterday. ac-
companied by a middle-aged woman,
dressed all in white
This chap was going about the game
in the right way. He was taking
chances-where chances should be
10 aaaA IL.