Year: 1879

him l was. Then he wanted to know II
he couldn't sell me one of the best door
springs ever invented told him did
not think needed one, and noticed
that he didn't urge me much. He said
he should call around again by next
spring, and perhaps I'D want one of
then. He got his dinner, paid forit,and
departed and appeared like gentleman,
as / said before. Now, Johnson, what
do you want him forY What's he been
doingY Will you tell me Y'


Feeling sure that l could trust the
man, told him In n few brief words
what | have told you, and this besides
that the gang were intending to rob
three banks in this city, all In one night;
that the gentleman of the party with
the door-sprlngs went ahead to examine
the doors and fastenings and take the
impression of the key-holes, in short to
make the way clear for the rest of the
party.


A" now went directly to the banks,
and found that my enterprising thief
had his springs on the inner doors of
all. On inquiry learned that he had
put them on without compensation, for
u months trial. 1 thought the bank Of
ficials pretty green, for they didn't have
any idea that anything was wrong, and
l took pains not to excite any such.-
He had been to nearly all the principal
stores in the city, but this was only to
allay suspicion. notified the police of
the whole plot and they promised to be
on hand when / wanted them.


" stopped three weeks in this place,
waiting around the depots, hoping TO get
sight Of the men l wanted, but they
came not. j was fast getting dscour-
| aged, when one afternoon l saw famil-
lar face at the car window as train
from the East rolled into the station. 1
had seen 1t once before, and that in the
evening, but knew it immediately
1t was the face of one of the plotters
whom had overheard i'm the saloon.
It was not the chief however He left
the train and 1 followed him up the
street.


When he got opposite the City Bank
he stopped. / did the same. He took
long look, and then walked on to the
Independence. L followed. Then he
went to the Orient, and then walked
backward and forward all the afternoon,
with me following behind. This man
was 'spotter,' knew, but his precise
object couldn't surmise. i went up
behind him, quietly, and laid my hand
upon his arm.


CSC You are my prisoner / said,
sharply.


"The man turned with II scornful
laugh.


"'W What do you charge me with, he
sneeringly said. Perhaps you mistake
your man.


There is no mistake said T., you
will come with me-


"' What do you charge me with p he
repeated with an oath.


&c will tell you what, said /, draw
ing O revolver as L saw q threatening
demonstration on his part, "with an
intended robbery in this city and with
crimes committed in Canada. Make any
resistance, or attempt TO escape and you
are dead man.


A frightened look came over his
countenance and he turned so pale /
thought he was about to faint. took
advantage of this momentary agitation
to slip pair of bracelets on to his
wrists. He soon recovered himself, the
crimson tide came back into his face land
he said, in husky voice:


Sc L have been betrayed, but they
shall suffer for this yet, the mean trai.
torsl'


81 was willing he should think his
friends had been false, so didn't unde
ceive him. l led him to the station.
house, where he was safely lodged fol
the night. Then left him for some
hours. When L came back, he was
bending forward, his head resting on hi.
hands, apparently in great distress o
mind. He was young, and felt sorry
for him.


"' have come," said to give yot
a chance. We know all about you
gang. We know your leader well. w,
understand the door-spring game per
fectly. We shall probably have all o
them very soon, it depends upon yol
how soon. Now, if you want chanc,
for revenge, you can have it, and serv,
yourself, too. You are young, and it Il