The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-08-29

superiors--the gang members. 1t was
all over In a few minutes; at the close,
the last to enter ran out side door
just as the two reporters ran in the
front. The patrolman who had brought
the news strolled out with very inno-
cent face to the resumption of his beat.
With most obliging openness the SER
geant not only furnished details of the
affair as he had seen them, but details
as he had framed them. Sorry,
gents, but an interview with the
prisoner was out of the question now
as the prisoner had bad cOncussiOn
of the brain that must be first seen
by the prison surgeon. Which latter
lie the turnkey obligingly confirmed.
Despite the storm, in less than an
hour the streets rang with the lex
tras" of the neWsboys. Everybody
knew Auditor Stanford. He was men,
Der of the ring" that for years had sys-
tematically robbed the county; he had
been defeated in the last election, and
was hard at work obtaining evidence
to offer the Grand Jury. Poor, soft
Joe Stanford was easily the weakest
of the gang, and the prosecutor had
high hopes of soaring him into a con-
fession that would reveal the higher
ups"
On the first reception of the news
everybody assured himself it was sui
cide-a plain acknowledgment of guilt.
But the one sheet in favor of the graft
ers took up the story of the patrolman
in front of the Lorrilard with such
vigor that reasonable doubt began
to manifest itself. This was just what
the rest of the gang wanted. Just a
breathing spell to recruit their shatter-
ed forces in the face of the bounding
of the reformers, would be enough.
Naturally, the good element was set
back trifie. 1t was slippery gang
and had wormed out of tough corners
before.
Alexander MacGullum, big Sandy"
the Scotch boss, was the man that
framed the tentative plans in the
police station the night before. He
was the first informed of the finding
of Joe, and hurrying to the room had
met the patrolman. 1t was only the
work of an instant for the quick-wit-
ted boss to connect the wandering
lad and attempted robbery murder.
The coroner was on the scene before
the outside world knew of the affair
and put the books and papers under
| judicial lock and key where prying
reformers could not get at them.
And then the lad, taking his first
peaceful, comfortable rest for weeks
dreaming Of home perhaps, became
the focus of criminal pursuit
All of which wrinkled the brow OF
Chief of Police Cassidy, as he rode
to the Office in the morning through
the white, dazzling world of snow
Sandy had seen him before midnight
to lay, neatly and succinctly, before
him the details of pretty plot to fend
pursuit, for a while at least. A quiet
smile came to his lips at times in
thinking of the bit of luck that had
thrown the victim in the path of the
gang. Well, the plot was a gauzy one
but he was singled to perform one side
of it, and he had never failed his. mas
tiers yet. To put the right man on the
trail-that was his business.
Not that Cassidy was actually in
the ring or even profited financially by
it's plundering. His job was preserved
for him simply by keeping a compla
cent force about him to do the bidding
of the county gang. To man fast
growing old, just about a month ahead
of his salary, with nothing saved after
a luxurious life, the position meant
a good deal. Of course the thing hur1
at times; it was becoming harder tc
maintain an attitude of dignity before
the children growing old enough tc
become cognizant of the source oil
their Injuries. Death had mercifully
shut off good wife's reproaches long
ago. No wonder Cassidy puckered
his brow in cogitating.
Reaching his Office, he scanned the
blotter in the usual casual manner
listening to the routine of city woe
issued his curt orders right. and left
but with predominating thought
through it all. With the closing of the
door behind the last confidant, he
turned abruptly to his secretary.
did the suspect in the Lorrilart
House case have anything ON him?''
The pitiful belongings we're dropped
on his desk. A broken knife, a BIZ
of cheap jewelry, an old pipe and some
matches and a-rosary. 1t was ole
and well mended, the beads held to
gether with bits Of wire and thread
while the crucifix was worn smooth
The beads fascinated the grizzleC
Chief as they lay in his hand Hi!
glittering eye softened; the glare o
the professional thief-catcher was sub
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