DETECTIVE'S CLEVER RUSE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1678, 27 April 1904, Page 12

DETECTIVE'S CLEVER RUSE.

(By William B. Knight.)

White acting as an independent, detective at Chicago one night .abou t 10 o’clock a scrap of paper Avas left- at my door on Avliich Avas Avritten in a, woman’s hand, “Barney Reel field, • who robbed the —th National Bank' of Denver, will be at No. R avenue tonight.” * I had never seen Reclfield or his picture and knew nothing about him except that there was a reward of 5000 dollars offered for his capture. I knew nothing of the house in It avenue. All I could do Avas to go there and be guided by circumstances. I found the house brilliantly lighted and guests entering uniter an awning. I Avalked in Avith the resfi Though I was not in evening dress .1. had on an overcoat, so this di-di not matter for tlie entrance. I was shoivn up to the gentlemen’s dressing room, Avliere I remained without taking off my overcoat till the others had gone down. Then i resolved to look about me for apparel suitable to the occasion. Going to the floor above, which was deserted. I ransacked closets and drawers, firming nothing till I came to a room in Avhieh a dress suit., shirt, collar, cuffs and pair of black silk stockings Avere spread out> on the bed, Avhile a pair of loav slices -were on the floor. Evidently some one was expected, for whom they had .made ready. I put them on. and Avent downstairs.

I ran a great risk, for, though I could prove I Avas a detective, I had actually stolen a suit of clothes and was promenading in them, it Avould be inferred, to steal other things. G oing down a winding staircase and seeing the host and hostess receiving guests in -the draiAungrooiii, I turned into the library. I strolled about, keeping an eye on every one I met but saw no inkling to lead me on. A young lady who proved’ to be the daughter of the host sab for a long white in a Avindow seat with a handsome young fellow with a very restieds eye,, but plenty of people Uavo restless eyas, and Barney. Redfield would be more likely to spend his time looking ior jewellery or silverware than spooning. Aift.er spending an hour dodging the members of the family I concluded to go. upstairs, when I heard a gentleman Say: “There’s been a robbery. Frank’s clothes were laid out for him upstairs', and when lie air rived just now he found they were gone.” For a moment my heart stood still, but, regaining my assurance and remembering that uf Barney Redfield Avere in the house and kneAV that _ the family were alarmed ho would immediately, make an egress, I said to the speaker: “I would suggest, sir, that the exits be Avatcked. to prevent the thief’s escape.” “You are right,” lie replied and departed to see that my suggestion was carried, out.

It was soon evident that the matter of the loss of the dress clothes of Frank, whoever he Might be, had got out among the guests, and had it not been that I was absorbed in watching for some man to show some anxiety, thereby indicating that he was vunerable, I would have felt the unpleasantness of my position. As it was, I was not disconcerted till I saw the host coming towards me, Ms gaze fixed upon me with no pleasant expression. He was followed by several others, all men. “I beg pardon,” be said, “hub I do not recognise you.” . _ • I was cornered. What should I say What should I-clo? I stared at him without speaking. “If you cannot give a reason tor your, being here. I shall send for the police.” , “Don’t stop for him to invent an excuse,” said a guest, the man who had been attentive to the host’s daughter. “The fact that he is unknown to you and a suit ha® been -stolen should -be sufficient. Here’s Frank.” “Fronk,” in business clothes, stepped up to me and after scrutinising me took hold of the lapel of the dress coat I wore, turned it up and displayed a pearl stickpin. , ■ . “That’s my suit,” he said. “I got that stickpin afe a cotillion favour last w e-em and put it in there.” Now, while this had been going on my obscure faculties bad been, working. I took especial notice of the motions and! expression of the young man I hadseen, with the young lady. He seemed imSy excited, casting hurried glances afc rne as if to make sure he had never seen me before. I must decide upon * plan, for at least temporary use. Tuiar fng to the host, I said wily *

“May I ask a private interview? You don't wish to raise a disturbance, I’m sure.'' ' “Don't go off alone with him,” sal/l the young man of whom I have been speaking. ! i! ‘‘Would you do me the favour to come with us?” I said to him politely. The host led us to a small room and shut the door. The young man's nervousness increased. I don’t know what put it into my head, but I resolved to screen myself by accusing him. “I came here to arrest Barney Redfield,-'' 1 said. The man clutched at a chair.

“And,” I continued, “having foun-d my man” —I drew a pair of bracelets — “I have accomplished my work.” . “Great heavens!” exclaimed the host. “My daughter's affianced husband.” i had fired at random and brought down the game I wanted. Redfiekl was born a gentleman in Engl ant'l, drifted to Australia, and found no difficulty in keeping up the part in America, i goo my reward from the Denver bank and a few thousand more from the man whom I Invl saved from a.robber son-in-law. My informant was. a girl Itedfield was proposing to throw off for Iris new love.