LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1597, 2 April 1879, Page 3

LITERATURE.

A. PRIVATE DETECTIVE’S STORY. [“Chambers’ Journal.”] I am not about to reveal the ‘ secrets of the prison-house,’ or the private arrangements of Scotland Yard, The higher positions held by detectives have always been beyond my reach, and I have not therefore in communication with the legal advisers of the T reasury, my occupation being only subordinate to a private detective. In the few years, however, that I was thus employed I was engaged in matters which it may be interesting to record, whilst the publicity canm-t be injurious either to individuals or public security, I will now proceed to give one or two examples of the kind of business we detectives have to negotiate, in the hope that my narrative may prove interesting at least to those whom it may specially concern. It matters not what my former occupation was; like many others, after dissipating fortune, I found myself alone in the world, and without money. For the small amount of twenty-eight shilliaga a week I became subordinate to a private detective. My value consisted in a perfect knowledge of some of the ‘gambling hells’ in the west of London, For days I was closeted with my superior, giving him information concerning the frequenters of these places, the amounts won and lost in an evening, the hours of attendance, and the doings of the ‘ bankers ’ Aft<r describing this gentleman or the o "her, my superior would say : ‘Ah I we know him; cautious card.’ ‘He’s a right to gamble ; got plenty of money.’ ‘ That fellow wins his money on the race-course, and always loses it on the green cloth.’ * It’s the young swells I want to know about, those that the spiders are getting into their nets; there’s something to be made of them.’

At last I described a young gentleman who was evidently new to the game of hazard ; he came night after night, I said, and generally loft minus a hundred or two, reaiy cash, but never gave cheques or 10 s, so that his name was unknown to the majority, though he went by the cognomen of ‘ the Duke ’

‘That’ll do,' said ray superior; ‘ we must look after that gent.’ ‘Then,’ said I, ‘ there is another young gentleman who comes only once a month ; he’s always supplied at that time with clean Bank of England notes from one hundred to ten, and generally loses something like a thousand in the one night. But once I saw him positively break the bank ;.nd carry off nearly seven thousand pounds He came next day, contrary to his usual custom ; and he played oo that and the two succeeding days, and before he left on the last night had to borrow a sovereign to take him home. After that, however, he paid his periodical visits, and does so up to the present time.’ •Well,’ said my superior, ‘he must be looked after. But first you must plant yourself opposite this place where they meet, and follow the young gentleman No. 1, find out where he lives, his occupation, &c. There now; that’s employment for you the next two days ; report to me on the third morning, I leave the matter entirely in your own hands, and this will be a teat of your usefulness to me.’ * You are not going to make a raid on the place ? ’ said I. 1 0 no!’ he returned ; 4 that don’t suit my purpose, I don’t want to kill the goose that Jays the goldeu eggs ; let me have my bit out of it, and then perhaps the Scotland Yard folks will spot the den.’ That same uight I paced during the weary hours of uight up and down the street where the gamblers’ house was situated. Between three and fonr o’clock in the morning, one after another the habitues of the place turned out, and at last the young gentleman I wanted T here tvas little difficulty in finding out ■where he lived, for he gave directions to the cabman in very audible tones, Bnt my next great object was to find out if be had any place of business ; an 1 after taking a, few hours’ rest 1 was in sight of bis i evidence by nine o’clock in the morning. A little before ten the gentleman made his appearance, and walking some distance, took a seat inside an ..omnibus, 1

got out irlo, and after a few inquiries judiciously made, that he was cashier in the establishment where I had traced him, and the nephew of the pi.nofpal of the fivm. Mv work being completed. I went home and reported to my superior next morning; who was quite satisfied with my first commission The following day ‘ a gentleman ’ (for private detectives can dress like nohlemen when it suits them) called at Messrs , Leadenhall street. They were foreign morchants. He wished to seo the head of the firm. ‘A’oar business sir?’ question. The answer was : ‘Tell him I must see him ; I come on important business. And he did see him, and communicated to him his belief that something must be wrong, as his nephew the cashier was spending a lot of money in gambling. Accounts were examined ; and the cashier was seen no more in Leadenhall street or at the hell. The private detective was satisfied ; and so the matter ended. Now we had to look to gentleman No* 2 j and having watched for two days without finding his whereabouts, my aupei ior went with me, 'and at a comparatively early hour on the night of his usual periodical visit he appeared in the street, and I pointed him out to my superior, who, as the publichouses were not closed, dodged him about until he entered a tavern, where we followed. Then there was a quiet and confidential convocation between my employer and the gentleman, f’he latter at first indignantly denounced the assumption of any one daring to catechise him, but upon berpg told that he was addressing a detective, he quietly pulled out a card, stating : ' That’s my address : if yon have any charge again«t me, you can make it.” My emp l oyer dexterously turned the matter to his own own account by asserting that his only wish was to put the gentleman on his guard, as the gambling establishment was being watched, and there would be a raid upon it in a day or two. Upon thn the gentleman was prnfnse in thanks, and passed over something to my employer, which so satisfied him that he voluntarily offered me a sovereign, which I was nothing loth to accept, for the part I had taken in the matter. My conduct is approved, and I am sworn in a special constable. I have little matters to do which it is not interesting to relate* because they apply to ‘poor people.’ who are never worth consideration, and oon- ■< lotions are easily gained against them. But one evening I am walking with my employer down Oxford street; it is late at night, and when near the Oxford Music Hall, we notme a young gentleman polling out his gold at the bar of a tavern, and treating liberally those aronnd him. The youth has evidently not been used to the company with whom he is now associated ; he blushes at remarks, is dull at comprehending low jokes, yet tries to anpear at ease, is profusely liberal, and dashes his money down as if he were a millionaire. «Holloa !’ whispered my employer, whose experienced eye marks a victim; ‘ there s sometl ing wrong hereand he tries to engage in conversation with the young man, who 'only responds with : ‘What will you have, sir ?’ (To hr. continue" >