Detectives -- United States -- Biography; Pinkerton, Allan, 1819-1884; Robbery -- United States -- Case studies
I was desirous of impressing upon Mrs. Maroney the difficulties in the
way of changing money, and my plan was successful beyond my
expectations. She saw the trouble Madam Imbert had at the bank and at
the brokers, and learned that bankers and brokers were liable to ask
very pointed questions when changing money. If she had any idea of
changing her stolen money she might be frightened out of it, and prefer
to rely for assistance on Madam Imbert, who seemed an experienced hand.
After they had made their purchases the ladies returned to Mitchell's
and were driven home by De Forest.
Madam Imbert spent the evening with Mrs. Maroney, but nothing of
interest transpired. A day or two after, as they were seated in the
garden, Mrs. Maroney took Madam Imbert partially into her confidence and
gave her a sketch of her life, which, it must be confessed, as narrated
by her, made her appear very pure and spotless. She said that Maroney
met her a heart-broken widow, and that she married him only to prevent
him from committing suicide, so desperately smitten was he; that they
came to Montgomery, where Maroney was appointed agent of the Adams
Express--a very lucrative position--and then continued:
"Maroney had a good deal of money of his own, but did not talk much
about it, in fact kept it a secret from every one but me. No one is
obliged to state what he is worth. He was a very kind-hearted man and
fairly idolized my little Flora. He was making arrangements to buy a
plantation and a lot of slaves; had made money buying and selling
horses, and owned a large interest in a livery stable in Montgomery. On
a trip he made to the North he purchased a fast horse named "Yankee
Mary," and used to take me out for a drive every day. Nat. is one of the
best men that ever lived, but he is a little inclined to be careless. We
were as happy and contented as could be, when--oh! unfortunate day for
us!--the Adams Express was robbed and my husband was accused of the
theft. He was arrested in Montgomery, but liberated on small bail. Soon
afterward I came North on a visit, and when he came to bring me home he
was arrested in New York and thrown into prison. I immediately went
South, sold all his property and secreted the money about me, so that
the Adams Express would not get hold of it. I have now the money
secreted here; but there have been a great many small burglaries
committed around here, and I am in constant dread of its being stolen. I
don't dare leave Jenkintown for a night, and fervently wish my husband
were out of jail to take care of it. What do you do with your money,
Madam Imbert?"
"I take care of it in various ways. Sometimes I carry large amounts
concealed on my person; but the last time I was away I placed the most
of it in a safe place."
"I wish I knew of a safe place. If my husband were only out, he would
soon find one," remarked Mrs. Maroney.
"What are his prospects for getting out?" asked the Madam.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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