Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-06-05
THTJRMONT FREDERICK COUNTY, Md THURSDAY JUNE 10

forced. / heard one of the men step
to the edge Of the porch and whistle
softly. A second later the answering
tread of soft footsteps sounded on the
porch. A few words. The door closed.
All was still"
The music of the cafe had faded for
me, too, now. Only the woman's face
was before me, the face that was
echoing the tense agony of that mo-
ment of the past. My cigarette burned
my fingers; l dropped 1t to the tray
almost unconsciously. My eyes were
straight ahead.
And then" prompted.
The diamond pendant seemed to
have planted it's rays In her eyes.
They were swapping electrically,
Them" She laughed bit queerly.
Then l prayed again. knew thief
had been placed to watch just within
the door; l knew there was one
shadow which might aid me--but
that the first wrong step would bring
the watching man laundering upon me
knew the child in my arms might be
aroused by my first movement and
that she might cry I knew that my
woman's heart was quailing, that 1t
was crying out to me to remain
where | at least stood chance OF
safety-and | knew must fight that
impulse down. Something warm
coursed its tiny way on my chin. l
had bitten my lips to bleeding. Some.
thing cold gripping my heart, some.
thing steel was seemingly binding my
brain into dumb helpless lack OF
thought. ! shuddered. Then, like one
plunging into an Icy sea. stepped
forward
Step by step / made my slow way
down In the shadow. No word came
from behind no sound. | had passed
the first watcher l turned quickly to
the blind side of the building and
crept along the fence. | knew it was
impossible to retreat by the front
way, for there would be a watcher
there also somewhere in a dark cor
ner. One by one | felt the panels OF
the fence Lower and lower my
heart sank Then, suddenly it leaped
had found a loose board
"A vacant lot was before ME,
Crouch!ng low, stumbling, my dress
catching and pulling, twigs striking
against my face, made my way
through the high weeds, shielding my
baby as best | could. hoping. praying
against that it would not awaken.
light flashed before me as | hurried
into an alley. Tears came to my eyes,
and yet | laughed, laughed with all
the nervousness. all the anguish of re,
lief that woman could know. | saw
the sign ahead:
"POLCE STATION"
"The old desk sergeant started as !
entered, my hair flying. my eyes wild.
A patrolman attempted to stop me.
pushed him out Of the way.
"Quick.' | gasped. Sergeant, get
every man you can and come with
me-
He looked at me as though he be-
lieved me crazy He did not move. |
rushed to him. seized him by the
coat sleeve.
"'Quick!' | urged again. There are
set of thieves in fiat not two
blocks from here. You've got time to
surround the place and get every one
of them. They think they're safe;
they've got two watchers. but know
where they ere. saw them get into
the place-wont you come-cant you
see the need to hurry-sergeant?
Can't you
There was no need OF further plead.
ing. The sergeant was already on
the way to the door Three patrolmen
had sprung to their feet and were
following him. | saw the jailer and
hurried to him.
Hold the baby commanded, and
laughed somewhat Historically at his
surprised face. Then | whirled and
was gone to join the sergeant.
"A half hour later six shadowy
forms skunk forth from the side OF
the fiat building. There was half
glitter rs four revolvers We're pointed
ahead, a sharp command. shot as
one of the men attempted to run, and
then the hands of the gang of robbers
went into the air. With the capitula-
ion there came frightened little cry,
the sound Of the sobbing voice OF
woman-and I'm thinking right now
(there was twinkle In the eyes
across the table, that the voice was
that of Alice Clement"
She paused and once again she was
the simple little woman, listening to
the music of an after r-the-theater or
chestra. She tapped her fingers Idly
on the table to the rhythm OF the song,
and there came the smile that has
made her famous in the police world
of Chicago.
"And that was the making Of little
me- she said with laugh. Il found
out that night that while my work
might have been crude, l had the IN.
stinct of detective in me. The next
day | went to the police station
learned that the second hand shop had
been raided, that the Jews had been
arrested and with them ten other
men. / learned also that something
like $4,000 worth Of loot had been re-
covered, and then-well, then l went
down into the cell to see the man
whose memory had caused it all.
"'How do you like it?' l asked him
as he paced about his cell.