TOUCH-AND-GO PAPERS. Tracking Criminals.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 243, 25 February 1888, Page 7

TOUCH-AND -GO PAPERS. Tracking Criminals.

Not long ago a woll-kno\vn London detective had a difficult task given biro. " There are two brothers hore in London," said his chief, " whom we must try to detain as ; long as possible, while the necessary evidence is being" got up on which to arrest them. They are Frenchmen, who have committed forgeries in London, and who, if caught in this country, can be punished. What you have to do is to keep them here, somehow or other." Away went the detective with such particulars as wero given him of tho two French brothers, and after some days' work found out the little restaurant in Soho which they frequented, and , their hours of going there, 'Jb'hen, seeing i one of the brothers seated at a table in the cafe, ho entered, sat down at the same table, and gave a sigh. " Qu'csb cc que e'est que ea?" demanded the Frenchman, surprised to sec an Englishman in such trouble. " What is the matter, my friend ?" "What?— (in French) — what is the matter ? Why, matter enough. I am an English detective, on good pay ; and I am very likely to lose a good berth directly, and through no fault oi my own.*' " il/a»6 % , parhku ! through no fault of your own ? Then why lo&e your appointment ?" " Because, in the English service, unlike the French service — ah ! how I wish I were a Frenchman '—when a man is not liked he is set impossible tasks, just to get rid of him ; and" l have been set such a one just now. Ah !ah !" "But what is it?" " This. In addition to my regular work I am ordered to watch a German—but perhaps you are a German ?" " >Joi ? Vn Allemand ? I a German ?" " Well, well, I tlwutjht you were a Frenchman. I was going to say I've been told to watch a German who is in London, and who goes out all night and all day, and reports all he does ; and as I have other things to do, that is impossible ; yet if I fail to let my chiefs know all he does, out I go, and I lose 10,000 francs a year and a pension. Ah, Mon Dieu ! I'd willingly give my 200 francs a week for a time to be out of the difficulty."' "But perhaps," eaid the Frenchman, "I could nelp you." "No," said the detective ; " one man's of no use, for the German goes out night and day, and " •' But I have a brother who could help me, and " " Yes, that is all very well, but I have not seen your brother, and I might not like him, for lam difficult to please ; besidoe. he might split, so that it'a of no use to " " Still, let me bring my brother to meet you here ?" "No; but bring him to the cafe tomorrow at this time, and if I like his face 1 will make a sign to you by lifting my left hand, and then you can introduce him to me." The bargain struck, the detective and the Frenchman separated. Next day the two brothers were In the restaurant, and soon the detective had lifted his left hand, and shortly afterwards all these were hobnobbing. "I'll give you £4 a week a-piece if you will keep your eye on the German, one watching all day, the other all night, turn and turn about, till I get all the information I want, and you must report to me in Leicester Square every midday, and every night at ten p.m." The Frenchmen, delighted at the double prospect of benefiting themselves and helping to arrest) a German, juyfully agreed. Then came the preliminary difficulty of the detective— to find the German. However, here the native wit stepped in, and he took his two friends that night to ; the— — Music-hall gallery, whence, looking down, as luok would have it-=-hB saw an unmlstakeable German on the floor of the house. To point him out, enjoin the I utmost care in watching and following hhn, i and the greatest regularity in making reports, was the work of a few minutes. The detective loft the two Frenchmen intent on ! their prey. I I need nob detail how, for more than ! three weeks, that unconscious German was dogged, night and day, by the two £4 a | week sleuthhounds. i Suffice it to Bay that one day th« head of the detective department cent for , and told him that he could now arrest his "helpers." Up he went to Leicester Square, at a quarter to twelve, intending to wait for one of them, when just at that moment the German came by, and hurrying up behind him the amateur detective. With a, quiet smile, he beckoned the Frenchman into the door of a restaurant. The moment he reached the alcove sprang on him, handcuffed him, and, with a quiet, " All right," handed him over to a police-sergeant, who atood by ready to take nim away. A visit to the apartments of the two brothers, accompanied by two policemen, put the detective in possession ox the other Frenchman, and all necessary papers for the conviction of the rascally couple, who are to-day enjoying Her Majesty c hospitality in Portland.