Diary of an ex-detective

Front matter

EX-DETECTIVE,

EDITED LY

CHARLES MART EL.

Contents

MONSIEUR PELIGON ....

THE MURDERED JUDGE .

THE INNKEEPERS DOG ....

Appendix

ON THE MEANS OF DETECTING SPOTS OF BLOOD

PAGE 1

15 81

LEAVES

FROM THE

DIARY OF AN EX-DETECTIVE.

MONSIEUE PELIGON.

I had just reached home — if home it might be called, as I was seldom in it, and never knew when I quitted it when I should return again. I had just reached home, as I was saying, a little after seven o'clock in the evening, and was pulling off my wet and muddy boots — London mud — thinking my day's work was over. I had had no dinner — could seldom find time for that — so I had sent my old housekeeper for a steak, and its savoury odour was stealing up the kitchen stairs, when a loud knock came at the street door — something between a postman's knock and a small tradesman's. I knew it too well ; it boded no good for my peace.

" There 's that plaguy fellow Josh, I '11 be bound, come to drag me out again this horrible night. What 's in the wiud now ? Why couldn't they have sent for someone else ? There 's Rayner and Collard, they have

B a pretty easy time of it ; but as for me — they seem to think they can never find too much for me to do."

I felt I had a right to grumble at that particular moment, for I had been hanging about the banks in Lombard Street and its vicinity since nine o'clock in the morning, in as nasty, cold, drizzling, foggy a November day as London ever saw ; and I had missed my man, a bank-clerk defaulter, whose company was particularly requested as a favour by the Lord Mayor. Why, any man would have escaped on such a day as that, when you could not see an inch before your nose. No wonder I was a little out of humour.

But that knock at the door. Well, my old housekeeper reluctantly quitted the gridiron, upon which my steak was discoursing most eloquent music, vowing all the way upstairs " it would be spoiled ; " and as soon as she opened the street door my worst forebodings were confirmed.

" Well, Master Josh, what brings you here to-night ? "

" Well, old gal, guv'nor in ? "

" Yes ; just going to have a bit o' dinner, so don't bother him."

"That's all very well, 'don't bother him,' but bis'ness is bis'ness, and must be attended to. So just tell the guv'nor I wants to see him — something special and urgent."

" Come in, Josh," said I, putting my head out into the passage. " What is it 1"

"Here's the perticklars," said Josh, handing me a largo sealed envelope. " Captain says, ' Josh,' says he,

' look sharp and And Mr. F in loss than no time,

for he must go to-night.' "

I broke the seal and read as follows : —

" Gustave Peligon, merchant, dealer in oils, &c., is declared bankrupt, and has absconded from his creditors. He has not been seen for two days, but it is not known whether he has left England or not ; if he has not, it is certainly his intention to do so. You will take him and lodge him in Newgate. Warrant inclosed. Gr. P. is a spare man, age forty-five, about five feet nine in height, stoops a little, sallow complexion, black hair and eyes, large beard, grizzled, no moustache, large mouth, thin lips, thin Roman nose, dresses in black, wears a good deal of jewellery, supposed to have a large sum of money in his possession."

While reading this my steak wa3 brought in, flanked by a pot of coifee and a plate of toast. Then commenced a struggle "between appetite and duty. I was cold, chilled through, and very hungry ; and I reasoned in this wise : " Nature must be supported, and if I do not eat I shall be incapable of doing my duty."

"Josh, fetch down my carpet bag, and hand me that pair of dry boots ; put them to the fire, and get me down my thick coat and comforter, for I must be off to Erance by the mail- train to-night. Call a cab."

While Josh was occupied with my equipment I managed to snatch a few mouthfuls, and in ten minutes I was ready to step into the cab.

My first business was to go to the French Consular Office, and ascertain if my protegi liad taken out a passport, or had been vised. For myself I always carried my passport in my pocket, ready for sudden emergencies. I knew the office would be closed for the day, but that made no difference, as I possessed the open sesame, and in a few minutes I was examining the passport-book to see if any one answering to the description of Monsieur Peligon had taken out his ticket-of-leave to revisit his native shores. Making careful search, I could find none exactly tallying with my description, so I concluded monsieur had taken his chance to do without one, to make use either of his old one, or of an accommodating friend's. So, taking my leave of the Consular official, I next turned my steps to the Dover railway-station. There was no time to lose ; the train started at half-past eight, and it had struck the hour while I was in the consul's office. What with the fog and the slippery state of the roads, cabby made but slow progress ; so when we arrived at the foot of London Bridge, I made up my mind to run for it on my legs. Snatching up my carpet bag, I made a start ; but before I could say " here goes," I found myself sprawling on the muddy pavement. Every stone seemed as if it had been greased, and it was with the utmost difficulty I could set one foot before the

MONSIEUR PELIGON.

other. The slipping backward was more easily achieved than the moving forward.

"Confound all roguish bankrupts !" said I, in the deepest vexation. "What a deal of trouble it would save if people could only make up their minds to be honest."

After a hard struggle with the mud I just managed to reach the door of the station as the porter, with one hand on the portion already closed, was with his other about to pull-to the remaining half.

" Hold hard, my man," said I ; " I 'm for Paris."

" Too late," said he.

" That be . I 'm F , the police officer. I

must go, if the train has to wait for me."

" Step in, sir, quick ! "

And in I went — no time for ticket. I rushed to a first-class carriage, whispered to the guard a few words which seemed to make an impression on his feelings, and calling a porter, gave him a couple of sovereigns to get me a ticket for Paris.

" Through ? All right, sir."

I walked up and down in front of the carriages to see who among the travellers would best suit me for company, and I picked upon one in which there were three vacant seats. I immediately took possession of one by ensconcing my carpet bag in it.

" Eeady, sir ? " said the guard.

" Waiting for my ticket. Ah ! here it is. Thank you, my man. All right, go ahead."

A groan — a grunt— a cough — a whistle — a scream — and off! My last half-hour's exertions had rather ruffled my composure, but I had now plenty of time to smooth down, and therefore proceeded to make myself comfortable, then to take a survey of my travelling companions. Opposite to me sat a bloated animal who looked as if he were fattening for a cattle-show. I reckoned upon a coroner's inquest — verdict, apoplexy — as being his speedy fate. He glared his glassy grey eyes upon me like an ogre, and I fancied he was speculating upon the chances of my proving juicy and tender after two hours' basting before his kitchen fire.

Being a not very agreeable object to contemplate, I turned my attention to his neighbour. I put him down for a commercial traveller : he pulled out a Welsh wig, and quickly composed himself to sleep.

There was yet another traveller. He was buried in the folds of a capacious cloak, his travelling cap was pulled tightly over his head, and I could see nothing of his face but a pair of keen black eyes, which, whenever I looked at him, I found were intently fixed upon myself. I do not mind being looked at, but this man's silent, steadfast gaze made me, I don't know why, exceedingly uncomfortable; so I took a newspaper out of my pocket and commenced to read.

We were not a very talkative party. Now I like talking ; one can always learn something if the talkers are in earnest. So I resolved to make an effort. After perusing my paper for some quarter of an hour, I changed my seat to one opposite my fellow-traveller in the cloak.

" Money market seems flat," said I. No reply : try again.

" That bankruptcy of Peligon's has caused some excitement in Mincing Lane."

The black eyes opened a little wider, bat still no response.

" They say he has absconded — sailed for America it is supposed."

Still silent : I thought it was time to give in. Either this man is deaf, or he won't hear, I thought to myself. Then I began to ruminate. This may be Monsieur Peligon himself; but there is no finding out while he is bundled up in that corner, so I '11 just keep my eye upon him.

At Reigate station we stopped a few minutes, and I got out to take a look at the passengers in the other carriages, to ascertain if they contained a more likely customer than the one I was riding in. But I could not see one that would for a moment admit of a comparison with the description I had received of Monsieur Peligon. A few passengers got out ' to stretch their legs/ but they were unmistakable members of the Bull family, and made no sort of claim to my attention. In due time we arrived at Dover. Before stopping I again addressed my neighbour in the cloak.

" Going to cross the channel to-night ? We shall have a hard time of it."

The same imperturbable silence. I was not at all anxious for a sea voyage on that dark, cold November night, and would have given up all chance of reward for my services could I have escaped it. My suspicions had gradually grown stronger as to the identity of Monsieur Peligon with my silent fellow-traveller, but suspicion was not enough for my purpose : I must have something like proof. " I '11 look at his luggage," thought I, " when the train stops ; perhaps that will help me."

So when the train stopped I got out first, and quickly retired into the shade, where I could see without being seen. Monsieur should have turned to the left to go to the luggage van, but he turned to the right.

" Oh, oh ! " thought I, " my gentleman has got no luggage. Had no time to pack up, I suppose. Monsieur Peligon, I am your faithful servant."

And in that capacity I stuck to his heels closely. He might choose to sleep in Dover, but it was more probable that he would cross the channel. And in truth he made his way down to the pier, where the mail-boat was noisily blowing-off steam.

My gentleman no sooner got on board than he dived down into the cabin, and quickly took possession of a settee, upon which he stretched himself to sleep. Bad as the night was, I preferred the deck to the concatenation of foul odours that assailed my nostrils in the cabin. I was sure of my man until we reached Calais, at any rate ; so I set myself to thinking what course I should pursue when I arrived there.

"Monsieur will be obliged to go to the Custom House to show his passport, and so shall I. Here 's to our better acquaintance." Then I took a thimbleful of brandy out of my pocket flask, and a pair of pocket pistols out of my carpet bag, with the "bracelets," which I placed ready in my outside coat -pocket. As monsieur was accused of felony, my warrant had been endorsed by the French consul, and I could, in virtue thereof, lodge my gentleman in prison at Calais, if I could satisfactorily make out his identity.

When we were about half-way across the Channel I thought I would step below to see what state of health monsieur was enjoying. The sea was very rough, and what few passengers there were on board were terribly sea-sick.

I dived below and looked on the settee where I had

left monsieur, but, thunder and , he was not there !

Seeking the steward, I inquired if he knew where the man in the cloak was who had lately occupied that settee.

" Don't know, indeed, sir. Oh, Mr. F , glad to

see you, sir. Kough night, sir. I expect he's gone on deck, sir. He had a glass of brandy just now, sir. Been very sick, sir."

I returned to the deck, but it was too dark there to see one's own hand. Several moving objects passed me ) but it was impossible to make out the identity of any one of them. There was nothing for it but to restrain my impatience until we reached Calais. A faint suspicion crossed my mind that monsieur might have thrown himself overboard ; but I did not allow it to gain any ascendency over my hopes. At length, after four hours' buffeting with the waves, the boat made the lights at Calais pier.

" All ashore ! "

I was the first at the gangway ; and up they came, one by one, the score of voyagers that had tempted the perils of the deep on that stormy November night ; but I could not recognise my neighbour in the cloak among them. I flew to the steward, and inquired of him if all the passengers had come up from below. " A.11 up, sir," said he.

" The devil ! " said I. " Here, take care of my carpet bag till morning. I '11 see you first thing." " All right, sir ! "

I hurried across the gangway, and soon came up with the file of passengers proceeding to the Custom House, and by dint of squeezing got to the head of the procession, and into the passport office. The passports were taken from the passengers as they entered the door, to be given up in another room when duly examined.

After a short pause the names were called out in rotation by a gendarme, to which the owners duly responded. I had made myself and business known to the sergeant, who had placed a couple of his men at hand to assist me in the arrest, should it prove necessary, and I was allowed the privilege of standing just within the door of the room to which the travellers had to come to receive their passports.

I listened with both my ears to every name that was called. One after another, Smeeth, Jonnes, Broon, duly responded, and it was, I think, about the eighteenth summons that the welcome name of Grustave Peligon met my ears.

The owner of that precious name hurried forward. He was greatly metamorphosed in his outward appearance since he had taken up his position on the settee. Then he was in a black or dark blue military cloak and foraging cap, now he wore a grey cloak and a hat ; but I could see at a glance he was the man I wanted. So as soon as he had received his passport I stepped up to him, and, slapping him on the shoulder, said quietly in his ear, —

" Monsieur Peligon, you are my prisoner."

" Sucre ! No, no."

" Yes, yes ; no nonsense ; come along quietly." And taking him by the hand, I quickly slipped a handcuff over it, the other being attached to my left wrist.

Nodding to the sergeant, he made a signal to his men. I lit a cigar, and we took up the march.

In the daytime I can find my way about Calais pretty well ; but in a dark November night I found it quite another thing. Sometimes I stumbled, at others my companion — he so often that I thought he did it on purpose. One gendarme led the way, the other brought up the rear. It was now past four in the morning ; the town was silent as a churchyard. Everyone but ourselves seemed locked in the arms of Morpheus. After some twenty minutes of groping and stumbling we arrived at the prison gate, and by a stout pull at the bell endeavoured to rouse the guardians.

Neither one summons nor two sufficed for that purpose. At last a little window over the gate was opened, and a parley ensued, the result of which appeared to be satisfactory, for a few minutes afterwards a wicket in the gate at which we were waiting was opened.

" Entrez, messieurs."

" He might as well have brought a bight, I think," I said to myself. "We cannot manage to do much business in the dark."

But there was no such thing as a lucifer-match in the prison of Calais. Fortunately my cigar was not burnt out, so taking a newspaper from my pocket, I applied it to the vital spark, and by dint of much fanning and coaxing I managed to produce a blaze, by the light of which I showed the jailer my warrant.

Releasing my prisoner from the link that united us together, I wished him and the rest of the party good night, and hastened to retrace my steps to the pier, in the hope of being able to return to London by the morning: mail-boat.

I had not proceeded far before I heard steps behind me, and voices shouting, " Allans, allons, monsieur !" I halted for a moment, and was soon joined by the two gendarmes, who were returning to the Custom House, and kindly undertook to escort me on the way. For this little attention I was very grateful, as the road was not easy in such a night.

I should have been glad of the opportunity of bringing Monsieur Peligon back with me to England ; but as some legal formalities had to be gone through, which would have detained me two or three days in Calais, and having a special affair to attend to in London, I was compelled to return alone, very well satisfied, however, with the result of my expedition.

I reached Dover in time for an early morning train. In the carriage in which I was seated an elderly French gentleman sat opposite to me. We entered into conversation, in the course of which he informed me that he was going to London respecting the affairs of a creditor who had become bankrupt, and, it was supposed, had absconded with a large sum of money, the property of his creditors.

" I do not care so much for the money I shall lose," said he ; " but this man has been ungrateful. I established him in business, and he has used my name without authority to get large credit, and now he robs everybody. I would give a thousand francs to find him."

"May I ask his name 1"

" Q-ustave Peligon."

" Gustave Peligon ! Good ; I can tell you where you can find him at this moment. I left him but a few hours ago."

" You, mon ami ! Tell me where I shall find him, and the thousand francs are yours," taking out his pocket-book.

" I am a police officer. I arrested him this morning at Calais, and safely lodged him in the prison there."

Starting to his feet, he threw his arms around my neck and fairly hugged me. When he had resumed his composure he drew a note for a thousand francs from his pocket-book, and handed it to me. I declined it, but he gently insisted, so I made a virtue of a necessity.

As for Monsieur Peligon : a short time after this trip to Calais I was in attendance at the Old Bailey during the sessions, when, to my great surprise, I saw monsieur arraigned at the bar for forgery.

He was found guilty, and sentenced to fourteen years' transportation. " Bon voyage, monsieur," I whispered as he passed out. He glared upon me like a hyaena.

THE CONFIDENTIAL CLERK.

" No. — , Wood Street, Cheapside, " March 15th, 184—.

"Messrs. Barton, Brothers, would be glad to see

Inspector F at his earliest convenience, respecting

a matter in which they require the aid of his services."

The above note was put into my hands while I was hanging about the Mansion House one morning, waiting the arrival of some of my shadows, who were out on a little affair that made a considerable noise at that time.

I lost no time in proceeding to Wood Street, where I had an interview with the principals, at which the confidential clerk was also present.

" G-ood morning, Mr. F . You are very prompt.

Greatly indebted to you. We have been very much annoyed lately from missing a large quantity of valuable goods — silks, satins, laces, furs, and other articles — amounting to several hundred pounds ; and, although we have for some time kept a strict watch upon those we employ, we have been unable to attach suspicion to any one upon a good foundation. All our young men have been in our employ for some years, and are very steady and respectable. I said all, but I should except two, who have been with us but a couple of months or so."

" Is there any peculiarity in the goods you have lost, gentlemen ?" I asked. " Could you identify them if you were shown them again ? "

" We could only identify them by our own private marks upon them. If these were removed they would be just the same in appearance as other parcels manufactured by the same houses. There is one piece* of Lyons satin, however, of a new pattern, which we could identify, as it is the only pattern yet taken from the loom. It is sent to us on approval, and we have ordered several hundred pieces of it ; but this sample piece is missing since the day before yesterday, and has given us a great deal of annoyance, because we have taken a large order from a West End house, and they have

shown the pattern to the Duchess of W , and she

wants a dress made up of it to appear in at the next drawing-room."

" Can you show me a pattern of this particular piece of goods, gentlemen ? "

" Here is a small piece : you see it is quite novel and very elegant."

" That will do, gentlemen. I should be able to recognise it among a thousand. Now, gentlemen, am

I to understand that you consider that some one in your establishment is the thief?"

" It must be, for the goods are taken from places to which our customers have no access ; and whoever has stolen them has taken into calculation the difficulty there will be in fixing suspicion, among so many, upon any particular one."

"Who is the last to leave at night ? who locks up the premises ? "

" Mr. Perkins ; this gentleman here," pointing to the confidential clerk, " is always the last to leave. He stays to see all safe, and when the porter hns padlocked the outer door he tries it ; the porter then gives him the key, and calls for it at his house next morning."

" Well, Mr. Perkins, have you any suspicions as to which of the clerks may have committed these robberies?"

"No, Mr. F , I cannot say that I have. Most of

our young men are exceedingly well conducted — I may say all, in fact; for we have had the two who were last engaged watched at night upon leaving the warehouse, but nothing improper was seen in their conduct. One goes home to his mother's, a respectable widow lady, the other generally goes to the Literary Institution in Aldersgate Street, stays there till it closes, and then goes straight home to his lodging."

" Well, gentlemen, we must take it for granted that the thief is in the house, and must be discovered. You wish me to find out who it is, of course. I will undertake to do so, although it may prove a very long and troublesome job, for I shall have to investigate the habits and doings of your whole staff. How many do you employ V

" Forty-two, all told, including the porters."

"Forty-two! Why, if I put all my hounds on the scent it may take three months, if the rogue should happen to be the last taken in hand. If I undertake the business I must stipulate to have the whole matter left in my hands, without any interference on your part."

" Oh, certainly, Mr. F . We cannot go on with

the present state of matters ; we would rather give up business. We do not mind the expense of your labours ; we only hope you may be successful."

" Well, gentlemen, I shall begin at once ; I should like to go through your warehouse, and take a look at your assistants. I am something of a physiognomist, and can tell a thief almost as soon as I look at him. I suppose I can pass for a customer."

One of the partners escorted me through the warehouses, and the way we turned over things and " took stock " would have amused you. I took the likenesses of all the young men employed.

"You have no idea, Mr. F ," said the senior

partner, on escorting. me to the door, "how distressingly painful it is to me to have to suspect any one we employ. We feel an interest in them all, and would promote their welfare by any means in our power. Whenever a

3 T oung man shows industry and zeal, and after a few years' service desires to set up in business for himself, we do not hesitate to help him as far as we can consistently with prudence."

" I can understand your feelings, Mr. B , very

well, and I hope it will not be long before I am able to relieve your mind. Good day."

Upon returning to my crib I found several of my boys waiting to see me.

" Now, lads," said I, " as soon as you have got

through with R 's affair I have another job for you,

which will amuse you on evenings. Bar$ons, of Wood Street, suspect some of their clerks of robbing them, so you must watch them at night when they quit the warehouse, and see how they amuse themselves."

At dusk I had rigged myself up in the " fast style," with plenty of flash jewellery, &c, and took my stand at the corner of Wood Street and Cheapside. I had marked nearly every man in the establishment, and I felt sure that at least one or two would come up the street past where I was standing, and I was not mistaken. Soon a couple came along together, and they held a consultation at the corner where I was standing as to whether they should go to billiards or coffee. Coffee gained the day.

I followed them to a coffee-shop in St. Martin's-le- Grand, and waited till they had refreshed themselves. Upon coming out they turned into St. Paul's Churchyard, and proceeded up Fleet Street to the Strand.

Arriving at a certain " billiard-room," they proceeded upstairs. I waited outside for a quarter of an hour or so, and then followed up.

I found my gentlemen busied in knocking the balls about. I kept dark : they did not bet, and played for a shilling a game. About eleven o'clock they made signs for departure. I got quietly down into the street first. They walked together till they reached the corner of Arundel Street, where they parted, one proceeding up the Strand, the other down Arundel Street, where I concluded he lodged.

Xext evening the same young gentlemen were favoured with my special attentions. This time they went to the Olympic theatre, where also I took a seat in the pit. Upon quitting the house they proceeded to a public-house, and after partaking of some ale they parted, and proceeded on their respective ways as before. I took a fancy to see where the one who went up the Strand lodged. He led me a long dance down to Pimlico. Arrived at a door in Charlwood Street, he applied a latch-key, and let himself in.

" So then," I argued with myself, " there is not much to be made of these young fellows ; they are like thousands of others who, after getting through their day's work, consider themselves entitled to what they call ' pleasure,' and find it in billiards and farces." I followed up some of the other young gentlemen in their turn, and derived considerable amusement from the way in which they spent their leisure hours.