Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1911-06-02
STRATEGY
BY DONALD CHAMBERllN
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.


keeper was shot dead. The robber
carried bundle under his arm and
after spending Il few minutes in the
back of the store came out in Il police.
mans uniform. Later some people
went into the store. found the safe
robbed of $1,000 and the storckeeper
dead. They saw the robber go. in and
were puzzled to see him come out as
one Of us. He's been seen out on the
Blimerton road"
The sergeant stopped moment for
breath. then turning to me. said:
'Henslaw. mount and ride out on
Baker street till you come to the foun-
tain. leave your horse in the stable
near by. walk back by the Blimerton
road and see If you can't meet him.
Pretend you don't know him and take
him by strategy. Ii he's gone for in
the regular way he'll dodge us. You
can do it,"
obeyed my order. which was given
me because | had done some neat jobs
in just such fashion and had been told
by the sergeant that he'd rather have
others together. Sometil les l worked
in plain clothes. but in this case l saw
like Il flash that could do much bet
ter in uniform. l hadn't been on the
BlimertOn road ten minutes before l
saw cop some distance away walk
ing toward me. lie was coming along
with the deliberate tread Of rounds
man on his beat and so like the real
thing that dared not hope he was the
man | was after.
But l noticed as soon as lie caught
sight Of the he began to swing his club
as we often do when patroling. 1t
gave him away. since 1t indicated a bit
of nervousness ON seeing u policeman.
I walked on. pretending to see some
thing interesting to my right. stopped.
peered ut the imaginary object for Il
few minutes. rs though ! had struck
something that might require police
mans attention. then went On.
When | and my man met stopped
and asked carelessly If he had passed
my one Of the force. He was perfect
ly cool. but l knew well he was the
man wanted. He told me he had met
two roundsmen back short distance
going rapidly. as though something
was in the wind: that he had asked If
they wished his services and they had
told him to stick to his beat and keep
his eyes open. but that II he met one
Of the force he should send him after
them.
You're very foxy" l said in my
mind. but I'm out cunning myself for
some one more stupid than IT,
Il think l know what they're after"
said to the man. "rhcre's been a
murder and robbery committed in the
city. think they're looking for the
person that did it. We get no thanks
for helping those on Il scout. and I'm
not going after them. But l wonder
why they told you to keep a lookout
here. This Is no place to expect that
party"
Don't know. but l must be getting
on. Mornin'"
But he dare not trust me with his
back turned toward me. He went
half siding and half backing for
few yards. keeping me In sight. and
believed he had a revolver concealed
in his right sleeve.
what do you say" said to him.
ito going into the saloon on the cor
ner for glass:'
He didn't know just what to do
The advantages might he in the direc
ton Of the saloon and they might not
What he wanted was to shake me-
and he was not successful. Finally
seeing that to refuse he must walk on
with his back to me. rather than give
me such al advantage. he said he'd
go to the saloon. though he pretended
he feared to b. reported.
We walked across the road side by
side and up the street to the saloon.
At the door gave way for him to en-
ter first. but he was not to be Outdonc
in politcness. refusing point blank to
expose his back. SO l. who felt rea-
sonable certainty that was In no
danger from him. passed in first.
We stood up Mt the bar. asked my
brother policeman what he would have
! and gave the order. We faced large
mirror and could both see our faces in
it. noticed that my man never took
his eye from my reflection for a mo
ment. Whether he suspected me or
not didn't know. but l did know
that he realized that he was losing
precious moments. The longer l kept
him not only the more likelihood was
there that he would be taken. but the
| more nervous he became.
! knew that there would he one
| moment when he would be obliged to
take his eyes of my reflection: that
was when he poured out his liquor.
He needed bracer or l believe he
would have made some excuse to de-
cline to drink. l noticed when he
| took up the bottle his hand tremblcd
Not till the fuid began to go from the
bottle to the glass did he lower his
eye. and then only for two or three
seconds. But they were all I wanted.
I clutched his right arm and shook II
violently. His weapon dropped to the