New-York tribune., 1916-02-29
$4,000 THIEF
HASN'T CARFARE
Limousine Held for Debt,
Girl Gone and Gay
Days a Memory.

Billy Martins stood at For,y-second
Street and Seventh Avenue last night,
facing north. and took inventory HIS
500 suit needed pressing. His slo
shoes were blushing under coat OF
mud. His limousine was in the hands
of garage man. who had said ne
would keep il under his eye until GER
tain impressive bills had been settled.
The blazing lights of the square
blinked a paradoXcally cold invitation
10 Billy. He knew IT was cold. HIS
source Of income and his credit had
magically and simultaneously dissolNed'
Billy was one more OF Broadway
million dollar kids" at the end Of ms
string. And nc wasn't a bit sorry when
two broad shouldered men marched 10
his side. He knew they were going 10
solve the problem of where TO go.
I'm Martins, if you're looking Tor
me-" said Billy, almost cheeriully. NO,
haven't been able 20 raise that $4,000
| promised TO give back TO the boss.
S'pose I'll have 10 20 along:
"S'posei" echoed one Of his new ac-
ouaintances. "We're Campbell and
a ride downtown
Billy Martins felt in the one pocket
which MS exploring fingers had not
searched. lie blushed.
"I've got pretty well used TO paying
for everything" he said. goftly. but
I'm afraid the rdell have to be on
you. In. broke
So il was at the expense OF some ono
else that Billy. the villain of the van
ished $4,000. took his last Broadway
ride. At Police Headquarters the re-
porters were waiting for the story.
Two wears ago Billy, who Is booked
a. William d. Martins. got JOB as
bookkeeper for James II. Dowd, manu-
facturer Of celluloid and ivory novel
ties.
I'm tho first year of MS employment
Billy cndeared himself 10 IN. Dowd.
The second year saw an alarming
shrinking in the profits Dowd couldn' I
account for the deficit until one morn
ing recent one he looked out the
front window few minutes before 9
o'clock. Coming toward him. but still
couple of blocks away. was shiny
limousine. Its chauffeur's skill IN pick
ing a way through the traffic without
slackening speed held Dowd's atten-
ton.
A. the conner the machine stopped.
The chauffeur spranp 10 the curb and
threw oDcn The door. Out hoped a
familiar fgure. As II came closer
Dowd recognized his s22-a-week book
keeper and he thought OF his leaking
profits.
Dowd later reported TO the po ica
/ that in the course Of talk Billy had
admitted stealing the $4,000 by doc
| toring checks.
When Billy said he was sure wealthy
relatives would make restitution 10
/ save him from prison Dowd gave him
three days Of grace.
The three days past the case was
given to the police
"I'm glad it's al. over" Billy told
the detectives. 1--WE been breaking big
bills into little ones on Broadway for
a whole year, and I'd just as soon try
the process on stones for while
When | started doctoring the checks
| had A wife. But ! haven't seen her
| for long time. You see. met girl
OH Broadway
Martins gave his address as 1850
Washington Avenue, fhe Bronx. The
police say that is the home OF his
parents. Billy himself. they say. has
been living in state IN an expensive
apartment at lS4 Lawrence street.
Dowd expects TO realize = small part
of the 5000 on the limousine and on
country house a Baldwins, J.. J..
which Billy bought