Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-10-07
The Argus Daily Story
Gentleman Burglar-By Mary G. Blachston
Copyrighted. 1912. by Literary Bureau

his leave. He should be lecturing at
his college instead of attending social
functions beyond the Atlantic.
What it was that connected the pro-
fessor in my mind with a burglar I
can't imagine. Trifies do at times turn
our thoughts, and l have fancied since
that ii might have been Handy Andy's
clever verse. and more especially his
having quoted an English poet who is
seldom read except by scholars. New
ertheless the connection once made
took root Immediately. True. It was
very remote, and | had no idea that
there was anything in ii. but l con-
tinued 10 keep the professor within
touch.
zone thing about him that caught
my professional eye was that he SEEM
ed to be uneasy and did not appear
inclined to linger long with any one
person or persons. He was helped in
this by being favored with a number
of introductions. After a brief con-
versation which all strove to turn upon
his university he would make some ex-
cuse to pass on. Finally, taking out
handsome gold watch and glancing at
the time. he said he must be going.
II followed him upstairs and into
the mems dressing room. Taking up
an overcoat. he drew a cigarette case
from a pocket, but instead of putting
on the coat lighted cigarette, took n
few puffs. then threw 1t into an ash
receiver.
There were several men in the
dressing room besides me and the pro-
fessor, and ! took care to busy myself,
pretending TO hunt for my own coat
and hat, not letting him see that was
watching him. AS soon as he had
ceased to smoke he went downstairs.
l followed him and saw him pass
through several rooms till he reached
the one where the gifts were displayed.
HE went about among large num-
Der of persons, looking at the valu-
ables. occasionally taking up some one
of them for nearer view. l noticed
that those he took up were OF small
bulk. Presently he carried a brooch
set with diamonds to a lamp on table
set In n corner of the room and with
his back to the others present held 1t
up to the light After a close inspec-
ton he turned. In his hand was a
plain gold bracelet. but no brooch. Re
turning to the table from which he
had taken the brooch, he laid the brace
let on the table. By this l inferred
that he had dropped the former in his
sleeve.
whether he was an Oxford professor
or Handy Andy l did not know. but
one thing l knew-he was a thief.
You may think that to take the
| man in was a very simple matter. On
the contrary, the situation for me was
delicate. had come into the house
| without an invitation and was not
known. Suppose ! arrested the man.
| l would make a disturbance, he might
| get rid of his plumber. and in case he
was what he purported to be where
would l be? Besides. | had but little
! time. Wedding receptions are usually
short lived, and my quarry might go
away at any moment. The problem of
! taking him in with stolen property on
him was as difficult as his discovery.
II kept my eye on him and saw him
leave the room. and | was confident
he had with him his souvenir of the
occasion. | followed him and, accost-
ing him, said:
Professor, should like to ask you
few questions about oxford. l have
son who desires to take a course
| there
He looked at me like one who
scents danger.
~ overheard you awhile ago talk
ing about oxford. That is how
know who you are l added.
81 should be happy to give You any
information about the university he
said, and especially about my college.
Brasenose. but unfortunately l am
just going
$50 am L. replied. Wen 60 to-
gether.
He seemed to prefer going In my
company to remaining and evidently
did not suspect me. We went up
stairs for our hats and coats. then out
on to the street. ] began my CUES.
tons about the University of oxford
and continued them till we passed a
policeman. Then. throwing open my
coat and displaying n badge and call.
ing to tho cop for assistance. l clap
ped a pair Of handouts on the pro.
fessor's wrists.
"Well, he turned out to be Handy
Andy, and Handy Andy turned out to
be the black sheep OF a respectable
Irish family living in Dublin. He had
been student at Oxford and had been
quite prominent as such. but was
caught in some disgraceful act and
sent 10 America by his family. where
he took to confidence work and later
to burglary. He was sent UP for ten
years. but served only two. since be
died of a disease contracted before he
went to prison. For n common bur.
glar he was the best educated man |
ever had anything to do with. In
deed. Il was his education that betray.
ed him. Had he not quoted a British
poet | might not have associated the
Oxford professor with Handy Andy"
Il Oct. z in American