Bridgeton pioneer., 1914-04-02


him chatting with the Hon. Cliff
ford Radcliffe and, calling him aside,
told him that there was a crook in
his house and that l had called for
the police to arrest him. | had caught
him in room upstairs and thought it
quite probable he was there still.
Would he go with me and either con-
firm or nullify my suspicious by hav-
ing a look at the man?
He went with me, 1 calling in the
two men at the door. and we all climb
ed the stairs together. AS we reached
the landing above the red headed man
came out of the room attired in ordi--
nary dress.
DO you know him2" asked the host.
NO. I've been wondering who he is
all the evening
Have l your permission to arrest
him."
''Yes. Can you do it without making
a scene?"
Certainly. Well take him down the.
back stairway"
The man we were talking about on
seeing us recoiled. At first he seemed
disposed to go back into the room from
which he had emerged, but reconsid-
cred this move and came on toward us.
] looked an order to my men to take
him, and in jiffy he was hustled to a
rear staircase. down it and out through
door. l told the men that / would
joan them presently at the police sta
ton and they must not let him throw
anything away, especially the bundle~
he carried under his arm Then went
down the front stairs with the host.
We met the Hon. Clifford Radcliffe
at the foot of the stairs. At that mo-
ment the man arrested shouted from
the rear of the house. You fools,
you've spoiled A door was shut,
preventing any more from being heard.
whats the trouble?" asked Mr.,
Radcliffe.
"Only thief in the house being
taken to police station" replied the
host. I'm thankful that his cry was.
not heard in the rooms
Indeed" said the Englishman. i've
often thought what fine chance
| functions are going on and steal"
We've got this fellow. anyway. GoA
ing so early, Mr.. Radeliffe?"
Yes; | must be going. You Ameri-
| cans have been so kind to me since /
came over that I've been kept up late
every night since | arrived here l bid
| you good night. I've already taken
leave of your good wife,
| Good night. Mr.. Radcliffe"
| The Engishman went on upstairs. T
| remained with the host for time to
| instruct him in what he should do on
the morrow in appearing against the
thief, telling him that we should prob
| ably find the mans bundle filed with
stolen goods l did not hurry because
| there was no occasion to hurry, and
| the gentleman with whom l was talk
ing WAS constantly called upon with
Good night; have enjoyed your hospi-
tality immensely" Finally, having
said all l wished to say and apologized
for coming without an invitation, I
bade him good night myself and went
up to the dressing room for my hat
i L
for the police station.
| / sailed into the station putting a
cigar | had lighted, feeling that had
done nice bit of work. The prisoner
and his captors were waiting for me.
as was the sergeant at the desk.
Are you sure said the latter, 'that
you MT the right man :: .~@s
"Why do you ask"
| "This man says he's Scotland Yard
| detective come over here to take back
| British crook wanted for murder"
| "Thats what ham," said the prison
| er. I'm ere to git Hedward 'Ammer-
| ton, charged with the kilIin' O. 'Oward,
| 'Enderson in Lunnon. l 'ad i'm all
| right. unsspectin I'd put on plain
| clothes and was goin' down to wait
houtside for i'm when you butted in
| and spoiled my game, Hive lost i'm
| now"
1t was like being doused with cold
| water
| 'Dd you find nothing on him."
| asked.
''Not A thing except an evening suit
in the bundle"
"who was your quarry?" asked the
| prisoner.
"The fellow as called 'imself Cliff
ford Radcliffe
dashed to the phone, called up my
host of the evening and asked If the
Hon. Clifford Radcliffe was still there.
The reply came back that he had gone.
and was asked If we had found GER
tain missing articles on the man had
arrested.
Then / knew that had made the
blunder of my life. After the arrest
of the man who was laying for him
the Hon. Mr.. Radcliffe had had plenty
of time to help himself to anything
handy and walk leisurely away. sIOre--
over, the arrest had given him warn
ing which he would surely heed. In
deed. l had spoiled the game Of the