RECOLLECTIONS OF A LONDON DETECTIVE.—(Concluded.)

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 11 June 1891, Page 4

RECOLLECTIONS OF A LONDON DETECTIVE.—(ConcIuded.)

. » (j»"*he"kitchen. The woman took me in, md, on reaching the light, stared at me suspiciously. There was a group playing cards by the fire, and she beckoned one out of the group with the words, " Ned Stoneham, you're wanted." Could anything have been truer ? He was wanted, as I saw the t loment my eyes fell on his face. He was the living image of the dockwinder. The height, colour of hair, features, and form were a perfect reflection of the other. The resemblance ceased only with his hands, which were not only uninjured, but very strong, as I was soon to feel. " It's a message from Lanky," I said as he approached. " I've brought his bag and things, and if you'll come out for a moment I'll give you the message." The woman pounced on the bag quickly enough, and began turning out the contents, whereby her attention was diverted froir. me. Not so with Stoneham, who from the first had been suspicious. He started and stared, and finally jumped back with a shout — .. v "By G— d ! it's the detective !" A yell greeted the cry— blood-curdling enough to a man there alone— and before 1 could lift a hand one of them snatched a kettle of boiling water from the fire and hurled it at my head. I dodged it slightly, but the spout caught my shoulder, and the contents ran all over me, scalding my nee); and breast into blisters that did not heal for a month after. Then Stoneham was en me, with the whole yelling crew on top o< him. A kick caught me in the ribs, and then I let out with my two fists. How I did pop them over like nine-pins ! for if your jail bird is weak anywhere, it is always in his legs. Down they went, and then the women got at me with their nails and feet. There's a fine sentiment about never lifting your j hand to a woman, but it's only for drawing- j room use. I lifted mine and to some purpose. I only wished I had more to lift Then I banged my elbow through one of the windows and got out my whistle. My men were at hand and broke in, and we got four of the demons away with us, including Ned Stoneham, the clockwinder's double, and Lanky's wife. . * • •■' * Next day we got all the details out of the woman. The meeting with Pomflet had suggested the impersonation and robbery, and the dockwinder had been followed for days before all was arranged. Strange to relate, Ned Stoneham was proved to be a blood relation of Brunton, a full cousin, who, through being spoiled by his mother in youth, had grown up reckless and selfish, and finally robbed and half killed his doting parent, and took to a life of crime. The enticing of Brunton into the public-house and drugging oi his drink had been managed by two confederates, one of whom chanced to be in our batch of prisoners. Brunton was released, and gave evidence at the trial. Pomflet gave evidence also, and to this day says to me—" Ah, I was the detective in that case, and you were only my assistant, though you got all the praise and the special reward." The " special reward" . of Lanky and Stoneham was five years at the " Old Horse," while their confederates shared the same fate for six months. The woman would for certain have got more, but she had been useful in revealing where the most important of the articles stolen could be got. As for the banknotes, they had '• melted" among the gang, with the exception of the few coins taken with Lanky.