Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-02-23

VI the many PFODleIuS WHICH were
solved through the aid of Peter
Crewe, l think that which involved
the capture of Rowell, the deraulting
bank cashier, was the most remark,
able. Crewe's skill rested in the main
upon a certain optical gift By virtue
of which he was enabled at any time
to call up before his mental vision the
picture of any person or thing that ne
had once inspected, and that complete
and in every detail perfect. But while
this faculty was largely instrumental
In Rowells capture, this case involved
besides so clear and close piece OF
mathematical reasoning that it de-
serves to be set down as one OF the
masterpieces of detective induction.
Crewe and | were in England upon
some business at the time when the
robbery of the Penny and Shilling
bank startled the country. RoWell,
the cashier, had somehow managed to
obtain possession of no less a sum
than a hundred and sixty thousand
pounds, or 100000 in American
money. He had quietly secreted this
In his suit case, walked out of the
bank on Saturday at noon, and COM
pletely disappeared by the time tho
discovery of the theft was made on
Monday.
Rowell had no relatives and no
close friends. He had no ties, no ac-
ouaintances among the criminal class.
He looked like many another young
Englishman of the middle classes: Or
medium height, stalwart, alert, aggres-
sive. clean He left no photograph
behind. There seemed to be no way
In which he could be traced.
The superintendent of Scotland
Yard made a happy suggestion to the
bank manager. l had been called into
consultation as the banks attorney,
and l had brought Crewe to the con-
ference with me. We both strongly
approved the plan.
Every Englishman who has COM
mitted a felony makes the United
States his ultimate objective" the SUI
perintendent said why this should
be 80 l do not pretend to know. l do
not mean to cast slur upon your
country. Still, the fact remains that,
when he thinks the hue and cry has
died away, he takes ship for America.
Now, the proposition is to herd him
into what l will call rat trap. so
long as he lies low in England he is
never likely to be discovered. But
If we make the chase hot at every
point except the western ports, II VIC
publish items in the newspapers stat
ing that no guard is being kept at
Liverpool or southampton, because
the fugitive is believed to be in France
he will be tempted, he will investigate
to discover whether this is true; final
Nv. emboldened, he will take ship fol
New York"
And them" asked Crewe.
1--WE arrest him as he disembarks.
This plan was carried out ano
worked to perfection. Although
Rowen could not be positively identi
fed, there was every reason to De
Iieve in cabled statement from tne
captain of the Pentannic to the effec'
that the fugitive had taken passage or
his ship. The information was cablee
back to New York and couple of de
tectives were detailed to arrest Rowel
the moment that he landed.
Unfortunately the plan mlscarrled
AS we learned afterward, Rowell hat
somehow possessed himself OF thf
uniform of ships officer, and attiret
in this guise, had stepped boldly
ashore under the noses OF the de
tectives and disappeared among the
four million inhabitants of the city.
The bank urged me to hasten tc
America in order to assist In the
work of recapture. l had, however
interested the manager in CreWe Dy
recounting some of my companion's
former successes, and, at his invita-
ton, brought my friend to the scene
of the robbery.
You say you have no photograph o.
the theft" asked Crewe, when he
heard the details of the story.
None whatever. And I fancy sale
the manager, that you will not obtail
much of a clue by examining his stoo
and counter"
81 hope you are mistaken" an
swered Crewe, laughing. May l ash
you a few questions?"
with pleasure"
What was Rowell's salary?'
1.-TWO hundred pounds" answered
the manager with some hesitancy
I'VE had intended to increase it on
the first of the year"
"Still, a single man could live well
on that" said Crewe. Did he dress
well?"
mot extravagantly, but neatly. He
usually wore a suit Of blue serge, a
collar of moderate height, and gray
tie"
That is very important" said
Crewe. But here is more I'M
portant matter still. Has the height
of this stool been changed since
Rowell vacated it,"
NO. 1t is an immovable seat, as
you will see, and nicely apportioned
to the height of the counter"
''In that case" said Crewe, Il think
that we shall catch your man. By the
way, did he ever wear anything but
blue serge?"
Rarely. That was his Office coat
and he also wore it upon the streets.
AS you know, Mr.. Crewe, the habit
~ Tho e;Il- hot and morning coat is