The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 3 — page 129: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A ‘TRAP FOR BURGLARS. 513 Three weeks and part of the fourth of my guardianship passed without a disturbance of any kind; and I was beginning to think that the law- breakers of the city had not become aware of my solitary tenancy, and that I would go through the whole term of my trusteeship without annoyance, when I received a communication from police headquarters that dis- pelled all my confidence in my immunity, but gave me at the same time a feeling of still greater security. For the first time in my life I had come in personal contgct with the workings of that mysterious body the detective bureau. I “vas delighted with their intelligence and vigilance. The ordinary citizen hears only of the crimes they avenge, and is naturally ignorant of the crimes they prevent. Here was immediate proof of their acuteness. It was an official letter from headquarters informing me that the detective bureau had learned of an attempt that was to be made that very night to burglarize the residence I was guarding, promising me full protection and begging my cooperation in a scheme they had planned for the capture of the ruffians red handed. I was to be visited by no less a criminal light than the redoubtable ‘‘ Red’’ Sweeney, of international fame, and his pal, ‘‘ Bad Eye’”’ Dugan. The letter introduced its bearer as Sergeant Powers of the detective force, and requested me to lend him all possible assistance during the ensuing night, and to be guided, so far as compatible with my instructions from my employer, by him and such other members of the force as were assigned to duty with him. The letter was signed with the bold signature of the chief of detectives, and the ink upon it was hardly dry. Long training in the law has had its effect in making me the least bit crafty, and I could not help slyly comparing the writing with the stereotyped signature to an editorial the chief had published that morning in one of the dailies on ‘‘ The Reform of Criminals.’’ As I anticipated they were identi- cal, and I paid no further attention to the letter, but turned to the quiet detective and told him I was entirely at his service. He took my acquies- cence as a matter of course, excused himself on the ground that he had further arrangements to make, made an appointment to be at the Drew house at early dusk, and left. Ordinarily I am a man of timid nature, but when bolstered up by authority I can go calmly enough through a trying scene. On this occasion I was entirely at my ease. I knew there would possibly be a struggle and perhaps bloodshed, but I did not see how any harm could come to myself, and I had no doubt about the ability of the detectives to take care of them- selves and any one whom they were after. Consequently I ate my supper at a down town restaurant with unusually good appetite and repaired to the mansion of my employer with feelings akin to elation. ‘The most staid of us enjoy a little excitement once in a while. Shortly after seven o’clock Sergeant Powers arrived. ‘Pll just take a look at your defenses while it is yet light,’’ said he in a business-like way. ‘‘ We need not expect our visitors much before midnight, but I-don’t want to have any unusual lights seen around the house. Our object is to let our enemy commit his crime to the extent of breaking in, so 9 (S©@) Ccomiclooks