The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-08-10
The BURGLARS TIP
BY FLOYD r. LONERGAN.

Mild-mannered In appearance, unob-
trusively dressed, he occupied room
in a modest-priced bachelor apart
ment house, and was one of the best
tenants, prompt in paying his bills,
and quiet In his habits.
The article that had attracted his
attention read as follows:
"SHE ROBBED HERSELF.
Mrs. Jessie Corbett of No. 4O99
West Eighty-sevonth street, heroine
of the sensational burglary that Gre
ated excitement a few days ago, has
admitted to the police that she robbed
herself.
With tears running down her
cheeks, she told Detective Graney to-
day that having lost large sum at
bridge, she was afraid to tell her hus-
band, although honor compelled her
to pay her gambling debts.
Accordingly, she pawned her jew
elry and settled with her creditors A
few days later she was found in her
apartments, bound and gagged.
1T now develops that her maid. be-
cause of handsome cash bonus, had
agreed to be her accomplice, tied her
with ropes, and then, returning from
market, had given the alarm that
kept the entire detective force busy
day and night. This girl finally broke
down, after a vigorous third degree,
and her admissions to Detective
Graney, used with effect, have drawn
a confession from the victim
Contrary to what most husbands
would have done, Mr.. Corbett has for
given his wife, and has even gone so
far as to take her jewels out of pawn
and return them to her. The collec-
ton Of gems is valued at $3,5O0; but,
despite their value, the wife has al
ways kept them In a bureau drawer,
which has the flimsiest kind of lock.
Mr.. and Mrs. Corbett live alone in
their apartment, except for the maid,
Mary Andrews"
Everybody should read the news
papers" he said, addressing a water
color on the opposite side of the roof.
"They are worth their weight in gold
to a business man"
Two days later when Mary Andrews
returned to the Corbett apartment
after a trip downtown, she saw some
thing that sent her bounding TO the
telephone
Police headquarters! she cried.
Then after an interval: Give me In
spector Reilly, Oh, is that you, in
spector? This is Mary Andrews. She
has done It again"
"Who?" she repeated. "Why, Mrs
Corbett Don't you remember how
she robbed herself? Well, she's bound
and gagged now, Just as she was be
fore This time, however, ! didn't
have thing to do with it. swear
it. Your detectives scared mo to
death before, and | mean to be honest
in the future
mo, | haven't cut her loose, and
don't mean to- Send your men around
here It's none OF my business, and
am sick OF the whole affair"
Half an hour later two disguised de-
tectives strolled into the Carlin fiat
I've been helpless this way for
nearly three hours she said, when
finally revived And this girl would
not do anything except glare at me
She has no heart. Mary, you are dis
charged"
Mrs Corbett looked IN vain for sym.
patty
"Why did you do it?" asked Clarity,
the senior in point Of service. I'VE
have lots to do without bothering
about your foolish stunts. 1t is a
shame to take up our time in this
way"
but | was actually robbed pro.
tested Mrs Corbett, as she wept pro.
fusely. "Really-truly-honest"
We'll, what was 1t now" ques-
toned Clarity "A book agent, like
the last timer"
".No sir" said the woman. He
was the curate OF st. Paul's chapel At
least, he said he was"
Did he want you to join the choir
sarcastically querled the elder detec-
tive.
He had a letter of introduction
from Bishop Sigden," was the frigid
response. The bishop and his
nephew are great friends of my hus-
band, although l have never met
either Of them Mr.. Sanders, that is
the name the curate gave, wanted to
arouse my interest in tenement-house
reform"
"He-what?" gasped Clarity.
"Of course, told him that ! was not
one bit interested, and then he re-
quested permission to use the tele-
phone"
Who did he call up2'
He rang up some butcher shop, and
ordered a four-pound steak sent to his
rectory."
What next?"
He remarked that as It was rain
ing, l probably would not care to 90
out. So he took the rope out Of his
pocket bound and gagged me. and
left me as you found me. While ! was