The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-07-21

OF Imitation to the last button. No time
was to be lost. From the coat pockets OF
the sergeant came some of the finest
tempered steel drills and other imple-
Hents for forcing n boring iron safes, as
ever graced the person of the most ex-
perienced crib-cracker. Deity manu-
featured instruments for picking the best
and most complicated locks were brought
forth; in short, everything needed for a
thorough, daring, and successful burglary.
we've got a long nights work, Charley,
I'm afraid said one. Its now nine
o'clock, and, If we get through this safe
under six hours. we're lucky. We must
set to work with a WILL"
Accordingly, the sergeant" was speed
lily turning his attention to the pack
premises with a view to a hurried escape
should they be disturbed, while the two
others directed theirs to the huge safe
spoken Of by the banker. Drills were
quickly applied behind the hinges of the
door, and boring commenced in real earn
est, for these gentlemen burglars knew
pretty well everything worth cwi az
to the construction of most safes in use.
Progress was very slow at first, but the
men never ceased. Drill, drill, drill, on
went the work almost in silence. Now and
then, just a short spell for a ''breather."
Midnight arrived, and a little better prog
ress, Tor they labored harder tina ever.
one, two, three O'Clock, and now the huge
iron door began to yield and creak a little.
rough work, Jim. But it'll pay us in
the enc, old fellow. Keep it up. We must
finish it by 8 o'clock, for perhaps some
blessed offce-cleaner may be here. or pee-
pie be moving outside"
-Four o'clock, and a'good aperture was
made. Five o'clock, and they were per-
spring now like b~lacksmiths at a forge
in July, and worked like demons with their
drills and levers. Presently, with a united
ana terrific effort the outer door was
loosened from it's sockets.
Good" muttered one, as they gradual
ly, yet laboriously, lowered the mighty
piece OF metal to the ground. THE inner
compartment Is very short work. chum-
mic"
And so it proved, for with the utmost
deXter.ty enc Er!ea tho Iocii, DIS the other,
win a thin chisel. as hard as adamant,
started forcing the door.
one more wrench, Jim, and then for
the spoil!' And he rubbed his hands with
glee.
Clang! And open flew the door. But
what?
Fooled! Frustrated! Raffed! The safe
was empty!
their hands into the interior, shrank back
aghast, sweating and pouring curses upon
the old bankers head.
Bah! the old wretch! He his tricked
us, JIM! And who'd have dreamed it?"
'Ihere's no time to lose, blurted his
confederate, and smashing anything he
could lay hands on in sheer wantoness.
Its striking six o'clock, and work-people
are about
TOOLS were hurriedly collected and peck
eted again, and the Sergeant" with a dis
appointed growl, suggested that they
should go out by the door they came in by,
as nobody was stirring much, and the
PACK way meant scaling fences. This they
aid; but, Immediately on emerging into
the street, they were met by Mr.. Marsden
IN company with three officers. The old
banker had experienced a sleepless night.
anc risen carry, calling at the police sta
ton 1nnocently enough on his way to as
certain the news, if any, and he was there
astonlshed to learn that they believed it
10 be a bogus affair, as they knew nothing
Of it.
Ihere was a desperate effort on the part
OF the burglars to escape, but one or two
passing Workmen, at the cry Of "Helpl"
rendered assistance, and the burglars
were soon secured.
MI. Fhllip Marsden, on stepping into the
pank, although greatly unnerved and ap-
tttated at the state of affairs, could scarce
ly suppress his laughter on finding that
MS 'uecoy,' as he called it. had given SO
mulch trouble, and thoroughly fooled them.
although he was quite ignorant of the
plot ne had unintentionally laid for them.
me 'decoy,' an old, but substantial.
SAFE which was always purposely kept
empty, was one of Mr.. Marsden's ipgen-
lous ideas for throwing burglars off the
scent, being fixed in a prominent position
to attract notice, while other safes, con-
tanning the valuable property, were far
away from the rooms in ordinary use.
n pseudo-detective officers are in safe
custody now. They have their regular
drills and. instead of picking locks, are
cracking stones.