The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1915-04-09

description of any of his customers. lie had
told one or two Of the attendants ut the safe
deposit company that he was an attorney and
that he had Just returned from France, where
he had been engaged in settling up 6ig. es-
tate. Among the effects were many prlcaless
pieces of iewelry, and these he had brought
TO this country hoping that he would be able
TO dispose of them on more advantageous
terms here than abroad. II was highly
plausible story and seemingly, had caused
not even a ripple of suspicion among those
from whom he rented the strong box.
After a painstaking search located sew
era dealers who had inspected Stewart s
stock. All had seen the wonderful stomacher
of rare gems, but none knew what had be-
come Of him. | surmised that he had become
suspicious of his surroundings in the Lincoln
Safe Deposit company and that he trans
ferred his loot to some other vault Dealers
began helping me at every turn.
Each new dealer Intercepted offered some
fresher and more tangible information, and
! felt sure that ! was gradually Tightening
the net about the man | was seeking One
merchant recalled that he had seen Stewart
in Broadway only day or two before, and
that was the most gratifying piece of infor-
nation had picked up since took charge
of the case. Later my informant remembered
that he had seen Stewart in the neighborhood
of Union Square and that he was emerging
from bank at the time. That was even more
encouraging, for now ! believed that | had
a tangible clew TO work upon. | visited the
bank in question, and the officials recalled
that a stranger had called there on the date
mentioned and that he had sought to rent a
safety deposit box, but as they had none they
had directed him to other institutions.
Among these was the Hudson River branch
Of the Corn Exchange bank at Seventy-sec-
ond street and Columbus avenue.
It was ) o'clock in the afternoon when
obtained this information. and my experience
as a detective had taught me that to put off
until tomorrow what should be done today
was often fatal, and so | hurried uptown.
went over the list of cards which applicants
for boxes are made to make out, and TO my
delight | found one in the handwriting Of
Stewart. Under the name of Edward p.
Choate, lawyer, living at No. 15s West Fifty
eighth street. he had rented box only three
days before.
The trail was now getting hot. There
wasn't moment to lose, and whereas | had
not stopped either for luncheon or dinner l
hurried 10 the Fifty-eighth street address
which | found to be a house beautifully fur
nished and appointed and apparently one
frequented only by persons of means.
presented myself as prospective tenant
and was shown through the house. a very
pretty suite was shown me, then occupied by
a Mr. Choate, lawyer. That morning. so
the woman in charge told ME, Mr.. Choate had
been called Unexpectedly out Of the city on a
business trip that would demand his absence
from New York for several months, so that
he was vacating the rooms that very even
ing In fact, at that very moment he was
out searching for an expressman to take his
effects to the railroad station.
The wait for Mr. Choate's return. while
not extending over fifteen minutes. seemed
hours to me. As he hustled into the front
hallway | stood him up" In holster IN
der his coat he carried a forty-four caliber
revolver. which be reached for aud from the
look on his face | knew he intended TO use
It, but he was too late | rammed him back
against the wall, seized his pistol wrist and
twisted him around until had him complete
~ az my mercy. IL was all over; the skillful
craftsman, Jewel thief and safety deposit box
robber was in my grasp at last, and knew
that IN the arrest Of the broker-lawyer had
solved the great Pinault robbery.
Through admissions made by him and fol-
lowing search OF the several trunks IN his
rooms great portion Of the Pinault loot was
recovered. Weeks were consumed in scour-
ING New York and other Eastern cities in
Locating and recovering the gems. He con
fessed TO committing number Of crimes
while lettering in New York although he was
literally supplied with money. But, as be
said, when he decided to launch again upon
career Of crime he had made up his mind
that be would overlook no opportunity that
presented itself The fascination attendant
upon stick up" or "pmwl" was so
great he explained, that he could not resist
the temptation to ply his trade whenever he
had the chance.
He was one Of the most fascinating crimi.
nals ever met. His methods were novel and
original. He WAS mn Nriinar,- the :. :,