Year: 1869

THE DETECTIVE DETECTED.


I had been clerk in the Bristol Bank, in Prov
idence, for eighteen years. and had gained the con-
fidence of the president and cashier by uniform
good behaviour and close attention to my work.
Other clerks had come and gone; some to more
lucrative positions, and some I knew not where,
discharged as they had been for inaccuracies in
their books. One of them, James Petrle, who
had left us about year before the events happen
ed which am about to relate, had been on friend
" terms with me, and I had always found him an
obliging, kind-hearted fellow. He had been rath.
er too fond of his glass, however, and frequently
warned him That it would njure him in the opinion
of the officers of the bank if it should be discov-
cred that he indulged so freely. He had always
promised me that he would reform, and had al
ways failed to do so.


At last he came to the bank one day in state
which certainly would betray him if he should
have to speak to the cashier, which he had often
to do, and was urging him to leave, on the plea
of sickness, when the cashier, who saw US talking
called him to his room on some matter of business
He went, and on entering the room he stumbled
against chair and fell. The cashier discovered
his condition and when the president arrived,
Door Petrie was at once discharged. ltwas Gus
tom, when an employee left the bank, for the
president to give him statement Of his conduct
while there, and what was the cause Of his dismis
sal. Such statement was handed to Petrie, as
he left the Office, ruined as to any prospect OF get
ting position in banking house afterward. l
had never seen or heard of him from that time.


About wear after, I was summoned into the
presidents room, and informed that had to start
that evening for New Hampshire. He stated that
Hardie, very eccentric man, who did large bu-
siness with the bank, had written him to send on
a check to Keene, town in New Hampshire, with
$l5O,0OO to pay for large amount Of property
which he had bought there. 1t would have been
easy for Hardie to have given check on the bank
for the sum specified, but he had habit Of always
paving the money down, and he now proposed to
pay-a clerks expenses to Keene and back rather
than dabble with checks, as he called it l had
been chosen for the work, and telegram was to
be forwarded to tell him that would start by the
LAC p. m. train that night.


The money was ready, and went home to pre-
pare for my journey, taking it along with me. l
had scarcely arrived at home when was attacked
BY complaint from which occasionally suffered
and which completely prostrated me for the time.
It was nine o'clock before 1 got over the attack,
and then was too late to get train that night
did not think, however, that it was Of much con-
sequence as I could start by the 4.2O a. IN. ex-
press train, and be in time for the a. m. train
from Boston to Keene. This arrangement car
ried out without thinking it necessary to inform
my employers, since Hardie would have the money
within few hours of the time notified by the tel
egram.


In due time I reached Boston, and was passing
up fremont street on my way to the Fltchburg
depot when hand was laid on my shoulder, and
voice quietly said:


ssYou must be new to your business, GloVerT'


s'What business?" inquired, as I turned round
and faced the man who had addressed me. There
was something in the tone Of his voice which made
me think had heard it before; but on looking at
his face perceived that he was stranger to me.


'sAh! beginning to act, " he said, looking stead
ily at me. ''There is no use however, trying that
on" he continued. "You were missed last night !;
and as you had such large sum of money it was
thought strange, and word was sent on here. l
have been on the lockout for you since, and now
YOU had better accompany me to the Office without
any disturbance"


'What ofice?" I inquired with more and more
amazement, for he was speaking in parallels to
me.


ITO my Office" he replied. II am detective
Steel, and have to arrest you on the charge of at
tempting to make off with large sum Of money
from the Bristol Bank of Providence.


I was completely stunned. Surely must be
dreaming. But, no. There was the detective,
of whom I had so often heard, with his hand on
my shoulder and looking into my face with calm
satisfaction There could be no doubt of that.
And be must have been instructed to arrest me.
Otherwise, how could he have known my errand
so accurately. I thought quiet submission was the
best course, as could easily clear up any doubt
which might be cast upon me by teleTaphing to
the president of the bank how had been pre-
vented from starting the preceding night there
fore walked quietly along with him till we came to
house in Hanover street, where he said the su-
perintendent of the police lived, from whom he
wished to get instructions regarding me. He had
q pass-key by which be admitted himself, and we
went into room where gentlemanly- looking man
was writing.


"Wen, Steel" said this person, lis this your
man2''


eyes, SIR was the detectives reply. "He is
quite green, or very deep"


"Has he got the money!" inquired the super
intendent.


II left the matter of searching for that, till We
should come here" replied Steel Then turning
to me and looking at the valise in which had the
money, he added, II suppose you have it ALL
Open it"


I did as he directed, and the bundle Of bills wa:
produced. Iobserved glance of satisfaction pas