The Burglar's Fate, and The DetectivesPinkerton, Allan
General
The Burglar's Fate, and The Detectives
Pinkerton, Allan
Detective and mystery stories; Detectives -- United States; Robbery -- United States -- Case studies
Having obtained the exact location of this house, William and Robert
repaired thither at once. They found it, as represented, a quiet,
respectable house, and located in a neighborhood of unexceptionable
reputation. Upon being admitted, they requested to see the lady of the
house, who was a quiet, modest-looking widow lady of about fifty years
of age. William introduced his brother as a Mr. Staunton, lately of
Boston, who was desirous of obtaining a pleasant room in that locality,
and who could furnish undoubted references as to respectability and
promptness. They were shown several unoccupied rooms, and finally
entered the one which had probably been occupied by Edwards' companion
in the robbery, for here were two trunks packed and strapped, and
apparently ready to be taken away.
"This room," said the lady, as the two gentlemen noticed the trunks,
"has been occupied by a gentleman who has left the city. These are his
trunks, and he has ordered them to be sent to him."
William had already approached near enough to notice that the lettering
upon the trunks was "T. J. Duncan, Des Moines, Iowa," and he was
convinced that thus far Edwards' revelations had been correct.
"I once knew a man by that name," remarked William, carelessly. "He
traveled in the west for a clothing firm in Philadelphia."
"Oh!" said the lady, "this gentleman, I think, was in the same
business, and perhaps he may be the one you knew?"
"I would not be at all surprised," replied William. "Where is Mr. Duncan
now, do you know?"
"No," answered the lady, "nothing further than that he has ordered his
baggage sent to Des Moines, Iowa."
Finding that thus far Edwards had spoken truthfully, and that no further
information could be elicited from this source, Robert promised to call
again, and the two men withdrew.
At the next corner they found two operatives, who had been directed to
await their appearance, and William, after describing Duncan's trunks to
them, ordered them to keep a sharp lookout for their removal, and to
endeavor to follow them to their destination.
This done, they returned to the agency and completed their arrangements
for taking Edwards to Geneva that evening. Operative Everman, who had
returned from Woodford, was directed to proceed at once to St. Louis,
and effect the arrest of Dr. Johnson, the dentist, on a charge of
forgery, and to convey him to Geneva as soon as possible.
It may be stated in passing, that until the confession of Edwards was
made, I had no knowledge whatever of the forged checks which he
mentioned, and the bank had made no efforts to discover the perpetrators
of that fraud, which had now so unexpectedly been brought to light.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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