Stumpy’s Dodge

The following incident occurred some ten years ago in the city of Philadelphia: Benjamin Yardley, a veteran detective of this city, was entertaining a fellow detective—an old boyhood’s friend, James Gardiner by name, who for a number of years had been to California, as a detective in San Francisco.

Gardiner had come East, to spend the Christmas holidays among his old friends, and Benjamin Yardley was one of these friends.

In referring to some of his adventures on the Pacific Coast, Mr. Gardiner alluded to a “slippery customer,” named “Stumpy”—a small, neat and compactly built fellow without a particle of beard on his face; he had the features of a woman in every sense, Gardiner said, and, from a habit he frequently indulged in by masquerading in feminine garments he was perfectly at home in the feminine character he assumed.

Then he con’t, at will imitate the feminine voice to perfection, although his natural voice was a deep baritone—even in speaking.

Nine years ago, Gardiner continued, “Stumpy” made a “grand haull” by entering the premises of an opulent lady, just before dawn—after the lady had returned from a ball—and, after stupefying her with chloroform robbed her of all her diamonds, which she had worn that night, and securing quite a sum of money besides, left for parts unknown.

By the description the lady gave of the burglar, it was apparent that “Stumpy” was the offender, and Gardener was detailed to hunt… Read More