A DETECTIVE'S STORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6705, 19 November 1889, Page 1

A DETECTIVE'S STORY.

The Indian Planters' Gazette publishes the following, whether fact or fiction-each, reader must judge for himself : — A BAND OF BASING DACOITS. Abdoola TChtm was a notorious dacoit leader, and a fugitive from justice. He had a large following, all men of courage and dazing like himself. The head-quarters of Abdoola Shan's band was situated on the slope of a range of hills, well -within the borders of an independent Native State. Here he was perfectly secure and free from molestation so long as he and his men abstained from plunder in the Eajah's territory. Indeed, it was on these conditions only he was permitted to occupy his mountain home. Abdoola' b band made periodical raids into British territory and always returned laden with loot. I was received in amort amicable manner by the whole band, for my strength and activity made me ft valuable acquisition to the fraternity. The chief him»rif undertook to initiate me, and teach me the etrategeme Of the profession, which, however, I -was called on to put in practice before my tuition had progressed very far. But I was an apt pupil -and soon learned the business. X, BPOUAXION CAVBIVa SCANT SYMPATHY. Preparations had been going on for about a month previous to my joining I the dacoits to loot a, prosperous rilJage mi British territory about eignt miles across the border. When all the arrangements necessary to ensure the success of the enterprise were - completed, we commenced operations on. the premises of the "wealthiest man in the village — the money4ender or banker. We had just succeeded in. forcing the door when he made his appearance, and seeing a number of armed men, rightly concluded the nature of our business, bo without more ado be dropped on his knees And bowing his head tfll fcia face touched the ground begged . to assure "my LocdAthat they were wslcoma to his pow tenement,, sad as the night was

would like something to eat and drink and a place to rest till morning." But his honeyed speech produced very little impression on a band of dacoits. For our chief immediately ordered the banker to be gagged while two men were sent into the zenana to keep the women quiet. In. a moment the whole house, though breaking into an uproar, quieted down so that you could hear a pin drop. " ; Jfow," said the chief, addreseing the money-lender, "we are not come here to beg for what you choose to give us, but to take all we can find worth carrying away." "My Lord," replied the money-lender, touching the ground again with his forehead, " I'm a very poor man, have mercy on mcl" " Put on the thumbscrew," said the chief to one of his men. "I see we'll have to squeeze it out of him." The instruments of torture were accordingly produced, but the very Bight of them had the desired effect. The money-lender, looking at the chief appealingly,begged to be releasedfrom his bonds, and he would lead their Lordships to where he kept his treasure. His request was complied with ; and he took us into an inner room, and opening a large iron box brought out about three thousand rupees worth of gold and silver ornaments which had been deposited with him as security for money lent. " Take this," he said to the chief, pointing to the treasure, " I'm a ruined man ! That's all I have in the world !" and he emphasises the words by calling upon all his gods to bear witness that he spoke the truth. "It won't do," returned the chief, "we want money as well a3 jewellery." The banker joined his hands and pleaded for mercy, alleging that all his money was lent out on interest. The chief shook hia head with a gesture of incredulity and called for the thumb - screws. This argument was irresistible. The money-lender yielded rather than submit to an acquaintance with the instruments of torture, and pointed out where the rupees were buried. The treasure waa unearthed in a jiffy and taken possession of. We did not remain to count it, but judging by its weight we concluded the amount was not under four thousand rupees. So we proceeded to the next most important house in the villnge, the liquor vendor's. These two men had managed to enrich themselves on the poverty and dissipation of their neighbours, and their spoliation, therefore, j excited little sympathy in the village. | When dragged out of his hiding-place, J more dead than alive with terror, and j ordered to disgorge his ill-gotten wealth, he did so without a murmur. POLICE COBIOBITT CONQUIBKD. Hitherto, the excitement and success of the venture had made us forget the wants of nature, and now that it was over we felt both hungry and fatigued. So after a hearty meal, hastily prepared, most of us retired to rest for the remainder of the day. By evening exaggerated accounts of the dacoity had spread, like wild fire, all over the district. Two European police superintendents had been deputed to the spot to make inquiries. The watchman of the village, who had been gagged and tied up, told the sahibs that the dacoits numbered over a hundred armed men. . This exaggerated story threw the police for a time completely off the scent, as Abdoola Khan's band was known to not exceed twenty-five all told. Then commenced a searching investigation an to how the dacoits had entered and loft the village. It waß rightly concluded that such a large body of men could not travel far through a thickly populated district without having been seen or heard by some one. The watchmen of the different villages for miles around were questioned, i but no information was elicited. j