Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-07-20


U$4&&Sk and paced MS drearly round and round
II %3EES u the iron-fenccd park Enclosure, that I
n about to face another sleepess
msuu8 night SO l wandered restlessly on
through the deserted streets, with no
active thought of destination and no i'm
mediate of direction.
| flung myself YEARLY down on a bench in Madison
Square, facing the slowly squirting fountain had
so often seemed to me sort of visible pulse of the
sleeping city.
AS lounged there with my hat pulled down over
my eyes, l listened to the soothing purr and splash
OF my ever-pusng fountain. Then l let my gaze
wander disconsolaely southwark past the bronze
statue of Seward l watched the driver of a Twenty
third Street might hawk asleep on his seat,
Then as I gazed idly northward suddenly forgot
the fountain and the night hawk and the seopers.
For out of Fifth Avenue past where the facade of
Martins still hared with its Cyprian lights and where
between the double row of electric globes that swung
down the gentle slope of Murray Hill like double
pearl strand down woman's breast caught sight
Dt figure turning quietly into the Quieness OF the
Square. 1t attracted and held my eye because it
seemed the only movement in that place Of utter
stness where even the verdigrlsti tinted tree leaves
hung as motioness as though they had been cut
from rusty plates of copper
l watched the stranger closely a traveller
In midocean watches the approach of lonely steam
or. l did not move as he stood for moment beside
the fountain l gave no sign of life as he looked
slowly about hesated and then crossed over to the
end of the very bench which | sat There was
something militarylike about the slim young figure
n its untimey and homogeneous cape overcoat. There
VAS also something alert and guardedy observant
N the mans movements as he settled himself back
N the bench. He sat there listening to the purr and
splash OF the water Then, in incredibly short
space of time he fast asleep
l still sat beside him. was still idly bordering
who and what the newcomer could be, when another
movement attracted my attention. 1t the almost
silent approach of second and larger figure the
figure of wdeshouldered man in navy-blue serge,
passing quietly in between the double line of bench
sleopers lie circed about the grante-bowed
ring of the fountain aimlessly. Then he dropped
ddently into the seat next to the man in the cape
oyercoat, five feet from where l sat
Something about him, from the moment he took up
that position. challenged my attention l watched
him from under my hat brim as he looked guardedly
about
Then saw hand creep out from his side There
was something quick and reptlious in its move
ments. I it feel and pad about the sleeping
breast Then | saw it slip, snakeike III under the
cloth Of the coat
1t moved about there. for a second or two, as
though busiy exploring the recess Of every possible
pocket
Then I the stealthy hand quietly but quickly
Withdrawn As it came away it brought with it a
packet that flashed white in the lamplight, plainly
packet of papers This thrust hurriedy down
into the coat pocket of the newcomer next to me.
There was not a sound. There more move
ment.
The wleshouldered man sat there for what must
have been full minute of time. Then he rose
quietly TO his feet and started quietly away.
1t wasn't until then that the full reality Of what
he mad done came home to me. He had deliberatey
robbed Il sleeping and unprotected He at
that moment actually carrying away the spoi!s Of
some predetermined and audacious theft
In three quick steps had crossed to the sleeping
mans side and was shaking him. still kept my
eyes on the slowly rereatng figure Of the thief he
made up through the square. had often heard Of
those street harpies known as "lushdps" those pr0
fessional pickpockets who prey the wayside uebr
ate. But never before had seen nj work
Quick Wake up" cried, with desperate shake
Mt the sleeper's shoulder. you've been robbed. :"
The next move of that little midnight drama was
nj unexpected and startling Instead Of being
confronted by the disputatious mAundorings of half
Weakened sleeper, 1 suddenly and firmly caught
by the arm and jcrked bodily into the seat beside
linn.
But you've been roDbcd'" expostulated. I no.
tced that his gaze was already directed north.
ward toward whore the bluo-cad figure still moved
slnlcssly on under the arc lamps.
How do you know that he demanded l was
struck by his resoute and rather authoritative voice
why | saw it with my own eyes! And there goes
ward
Watch that man" he said almost dercey. "But
Tor Heavens sake keep SiHli'
What does this mean!' naturally demanded
"Who are you:' he asked. l took my time in
answering, for was beginning c resent his repeated
MY name if that's what you mean happens TO be
the uneuphonlous but highly respectable of Ker
loot-Wtcr Kerfoot"
'No, no." he said with quick Impotence What
Ire youY
I'm nothing much except member Of eight or
nine clubs, and a man who doesn't sleep overly well
His eyes were still keenIy watching the slowl,
Repairing figure Ny hippancy seemed to have beer
lost him. His muscular youn. hand suddenly
ightened on my sleeve.
by Cad, sir, you can help me-" he cried unde,
his breath "You must I've right TO cali on you
'Who are you?' interrupted quite myself by this
lime.
I'm Lieutenant Palmer" he absenty admitted al
The while eying the moving figure
And I've got to get that man, or it'n cost me
rourt-martia I've got to get him Wait, Sit back
here without moving. Now watch what he does :"
l the thief drop into an empty bench glanc,
down at his tmepiece, look carelessly about anl
then lean back with his legs crossed Nothing more
happened.
well" inquired whats the game?"
TITS no game" he retortcd, in his quick and de
cslve tones. Its damn near tragedy But now
I've found him; I've placed him! And that's thu
man I'm after !"
II don't doubt It," languidly admitted "But am
10 assume that this little bench scene was of
well, n sort Of carefully studied out trap?'
"Oh you've got to know" he finally conceded, NOV
you've seen this much, And | know you're-your
the right sort ! can't tell you everything. But In
orr the Connecticut. She's the flagship If our At
~ntic fleets first division, the flagship Of Rear-Ad